Lady Liberty: A Biography - Hardcover

Doreen Rappaport has written many books for young readers, including an acclaimed trilogy about the African-American experience: No More!, Free at Last!, and Nobody Gonna Turn Me 'Round, all illustrated by Shane W. Evans. She is also the author of Martin's Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier. She lives in Copake Falls, New York.

Matt Tavares is the illustrator of Iron Hans: A Grimms' Fairy Tale, retold by Stephen Mitchell; Jack and the Beanstalk, retold by E. Nesbit; and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. He has also written and illustrated three books inspired by baseball: Mudball, Oliver's Game, and Zachary's Ball. Matt Tavares lives in Ogunquit, Maine.

Starred Review. Grade 3–8—This handsome, thoroughly researched picture book tells the story of the statue from conception to dedication from the points of view of the many different players in Liberty's dramatic life. Beginning with the author imagining how her Latvian grandfather felt when he first spied "her," the presentation ends with several quotes from other European immigrants, describing their thoughts as "The Lady" welcomed them to America. The book's unique structure enables Rappaport to pack a wealth of background and detail into the text in an interesting, engaging way. Each spread features a one-and-a-half-page illustration, rendered in watercolor, ink, and pencil, accompanied by a framed narrative poem. Children meet Édouard de Laboulaye, the French law professor who conceived of the statue, and sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, with whom he collaborated. Assistant Marie Simon outlines the intensive mathematical process of turning the original four-foot clay model into the copper "Colossus" she would become. Other voices include Charles P. Stone, a construction supervisor on Bedloe's Island, and Joseph Pulitzer, whose moving editorials inspired 100,000 Americans to donate money when Congress and the Mayor of New York would not. Tavares's evocative paintings bring each perspective to life, from images of an immigrant's outstretched arms to the countless workers measuring, building, and digging. A beautiful, innovative volume.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
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