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What Is the Statue of Liberty?

Part of What Was?

Illustrated by John Hinderliter
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Paperback
$7.99 US
5.31"W x 7.63"H x 0.29"D   | 4 oz | 60 per carton
On sale May 29, 2014 | 112 Pages | 9780448479170
Age 8-12 years | Grades 3-7
Reading Level: Lexile 880L | Fountas & Pinnell U

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Learn how the Statue of Liberty made her way to New York Harbor in this fascinating history for young readers, part of the beloved What Was? series. The perfect way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!

In 1876, France decided to give the United States a very big and very special present: the Statue of Liberty! Proposed by Edouard de Laboulaye and designed by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the gift was to commemorate the country’s 100th birthday. But how was America’s most prominent symbol of freedom built and moved into place? What gives the statue its iconic blue-green color today? How did the French transport our 111-foot-tall lady of liberty into New York Harbor all those years ago? Young historians will find the answers to these questions and more in this detailed, easy-to-comprehend biography of the creation and history of the Statue of Liberty.
© Joan Holub
Joan Holub is the New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of more than 140 children’s books, including Breakout at the Bug Lab, Who Was Babe Ruth?, and the Goddess Girls series. Prior to publishing her first title in 1992, she was an associate art director at Scholastic. View titles by Joan Holub
Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ
What Is the Statue of Liberty?

In July 1976, the United States had a holiday. It was the two-hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. All over the country, towns and cities celebrated. In New York City, there were fireworks, parades, and patriotic speeches. Right in the middle of it all stood that towering symbol of American freedom—the Statue of Liberty!

The statue’s real name is Liberty Enlightening the World, but it’s often called Lady Liberty or the Statue of Liberty. The statue is huge—151 feet and 1 inch tall. That’s about as tall as a tower of thirty-five eleven-year-old kids stacked head-to-toe.

It’s made of copper and is mostly hollow, with a metal skeleton-like support structure inside and stairs so visitors can walk up into its crown. Today about four million people visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island every year.

About

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Learn how the Statue of Liberty made her way to New York Harbor in this fascinating history for young readers, part of the beloved What Was? series. The perfect way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!

In 1876, France decided to give the United States a very big and very special present: the Statue of Liberty! Proposed by Edouard de Laboulaye and designed by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the gift was to commemorate the country’s 100th birthday. But how was America’s most prominent symbol of freedom built and moved into place? What gives the statue its iconic blue-green color today? How did the French transport our 111-foot-tall lady of liberty into New York Harbor all those years ago? Young historians will find the answers to these questions and more in this detailed, easy-to-comprehend biography of the creation and history of the Statue of Liberty.

Author

© Joan Holub
Joan Holub is the New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of more than 140 children’s books, including Breakout at the Bug Lab, Who Was Babe Ruth?, and the Goddess Girls series. Prior to publishing her first title in 1992, she was an associate art director at Scholastic. View titles by Joan Holub
Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ

Excerpt

What Is the Statue of Liberty?

In July 1976, the United States had a holiday. It was the two-hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. All over the country, towns and cities celebrated. In New York City, there were fireworks, parades, and patriotic speeches. Right in the middle of it all stood that towering symbol of American freedom—the Statue of Liberty!

The statue’s real name is Liberty Enlightening the World, but it’s often called Lady Liberty or the Statue of Liberty. The statue is huge—151 feet and 1 inch tall. That’s about as tall as a tower of thirty-five eleven-year-old kids stacked head-to-toe.

It’s made of copper and is mostly hollow, with a metal skeleton-like support structure inside and stairs so visitors can walk up into its crown. Today about four million people visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island every year.

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