I just love this book, written by Jean Fritz and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. It is such a great introduction to the founding of the United States. After you read it, preferably out loud to your children 8 and up, you will know the following:

• what John Hancock’s childhood was like
• how did John Hancock get to be the richest man in New England
• how did Samuel Adams and John Hancock meet
• how was John involved in the Stamp Act of 1765
• how John Hancock got to be so popular in Boston
• what interrupted John’s wedding to Dolly Quincy in the spring of 1775
• why John was chosen to be the president of the First Continental Congress
• why John was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence of the USA
• John’s involvement in the Revolutionary War of the USA
• how many times John was elected to be governor of Massachusetts
• that sadly John had no children who survived him

and many more tidbits of the Founding Era of the United States of America. Stories help us remember facts, so I heartily recommend you read this book to your children at least once a year, to help them remember some of the facts involved in the Revolutionary War. That’s such a better, organic way of learning than studying dry textbooks and taking quizzes and tests. It’s a great addition to your Morning Basket during the month of July, if you have a scholar engaging with the Key of Liberty project, or any time you are studying the Revolutionary War in your homeschool. I give it 5 out of 5 stars!