Mumbet's Declaration of Independence
“All men are born free and equal.”
Everybody knows about the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence in 1776. But the founders weren’t the only ones who believed that everyone had a right to freedom. Mumbet, a Massachusetts enslaved person, believed it too. She longed to be free, but how? Would anyone help her in her fight for freedom? Could she win against the richest man in town?
Mumbet was determined to try.
Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence tells her story for the first time in a picture book biography, and her brave actions set a milestone on the road toward ending slavery in the United States.
“The case is fascinating, emphasizing the destructive irony at the heart of the birth of America and making Mumbet an active and savvy architect of her own release, and this is likely to spur much discussion.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
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978-0-7613-6589-1
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$14.99 | |
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978-1-4677-6739-2
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$24.99 | |
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978-1-7284-6482-4
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$34.99 | |
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978-1-7284-6481-7
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$6.99 |
| Interest Level | Grade 1 - Grade 4 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 3 |
| Genre | Picture Books, Social Studies |
| Category | Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2014 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Carolrhoda Books ® |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| Publication Date | 2014-02-01 |
| Reading Counts! Level | 3.2 |
| Text Type | Fiction—Historical |
|---|---|
| BISACS | JUV011010, JUV004020, JUV016120 |
| Dewey | 306.3'62092 |
| Graphics | Full-color illustrations |
| Dimensions | 9.75 x 9.75 |
| Lexile | 640 |
| ATOS Reading Level | 3.4 |
| Accelerated Reader® Quiz | 164347 |
| Accelerated Reader® Points | 0.5 |
| Features | Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews |
Author: Gretchen Woelfle
Gretchen Woelfle began writing for children by turning family history into short stories and has gone on to publish award-winning picture books, middle grade nonfiction, biographies, and historical fiction including The Wind at Work, Katje the Windmill Cat, and All the World's A Stage: A Novel in Five Acts. She is now focusing on biographies of unsung women in American history: Jeannette Rankin: Political Pioneer; Write on, Mercy! The Secret Life of Mercy Otis Warren; and Mumbet's Declaration of Independence. Visit Gretchen online at gretchenwoelfle.com.
Illustrator: Alix Delinois
Awards
- CBC Children's Choices
- ACL Distinguished Book
- Eureka! Children’s Book Gold Award
- Teaching for Change's Best Books
Reviews
Library Media Connection
“This book opens many avenues for discussion, including history, civil rights, the power and interpretation of the law, and imagery and artistry as conveyed by the rich drawings and Mumbet’s observations of freedom.” —Library Media Connection
Booklist
“Delinois’ minimalist but highly evocative acrylic illustrations add depth to the sensitive, inspiring text. A great addition to picture-book collections of American history.” —Booklist
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“The case is fascinating, emphasizing the destructive irony at the heart of the birth of America and making Mumbet an active and savvy architect of her own release, and this is likely to spur much discussion.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The Horn Book Magazine
“Woelfle keeps the spotlight on Mumbet and brings her to life as a strong, smart person. Using a vibrant acrylic palette, Delinois highlights the brilliant greens and blues of the Berkshires setting and allows the light to play on Mumbet’s face to show both her humor and strength. . . . Though many have not heard the story of Mumbet before, no one who reads it now will ever forget it.” —The Horn Book Magazine
The New York Times Book Review
“Alix Delinois’s illustrations beautifully balance the intensity of this history lesson. . . . Woelfle’s narrative and her appended notes and references offer opportunities for discussing nuances in the history of American slavery.” —The New York Times Book Review
School Library Journal
“Vividly colored illustrations reflect the generally hopeful tone of the story, while bold compositions and thickly layered paint suggest folk art. Freeman’s strength of character is reflected in her determined facial expressions and strong stance.” —School Library Journal
Publishers Weekly
“Delinois’s thick layers of paint and vibrant palette infuse even the story’s upsetting moments with hopefulness, and Mumbet herself glows with determination and integrity.” —starred, Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
“Delinois’ full-bleed paintings are heroic in scale, richly textured and vibrant….A life devoted to freedom and dignity, worthy of praise and remembrance.” —Kirkus Reviews