Forged on Freedom + That's Me in History Pack of 8

The Amendments to the Constitution

Reading the 27 amendments built into America's constitution may not seem exciting at first. Look beyond the old-fashioned phrasing and the government terms, however, and you will find remarkable details. You will meet political leaders and representatives struggling to make the wisest choices, American citizens fighting for basic rights, and a country that is constantly adjusting to the changes it faces with every passing year. The story behind each amendment is important to understand—and fascinating to learn.

The Constitution: Defender of Freedom

After the Revolutionary War established the independent United States of America, a different kind of revolution took place. Between Shays' Rebellion and the final flourish of a quill pen on the Constitution, the country's greatest leaders faced a challenge that would either keep the states together or tear them apart. From the roads of Boston to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, delegates battled out the particulars of how the new country would be governed. In this inspiring story of leadership, discover how diplomacy and compromise created a document that would defend the nation's freedom at once and for the future.

The Revolutionary War: The War for Freedom

The British Army, the best in the world, expected to easily win the war against the American colonies. It was a war that should have been a short footnote in the history of the British Empire. The Continental Army—made up of farmers, merchants, and craftsmen—scarcely fought with gunpowder, let alone guns. They could not possibly succeed in their quest to form a new nation.

On the way to victory, the British met American Commander-in-Chief George Washington, a man with an indomitable will. He led an army that refused to lose, no matter how great the odds or how many times it was discounted. In the end, it was the British who were desperate for peace.

This is the story of the Revolutionary War and how it produced a country forged on freedom.

Roots of the Revolution

Most people have heard Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Many also know that this famous ride took place the night before the American Revolution began. But do you know about the events that led up to this important war in our nation's history? The British colonies fought for their independence from England for a number of reasons—including taxation without representation in England's Parliament. Within this book, you will learn exactly what drove the colonists to wage war against their mother country—and also what helped them gain important advantages even before war broke out.

Ancient Egypt

The middle of the fourteenth century BCE was a strange time in ancient Egypt. The pharaoh had changed his name and religion and was inviting the wrath of the gods that had long watched over the land. The powerful priesthood felt threatened, the people feared the worst, and in the middle of everything was Pepi, a ten-year-old boy with a problem—he didn't want to go to school. Let Pepi explain his troubles to you as he takes you around his beloved city. Let him introduce you to his family, his friends, and their way of life, which thousands of years later might seem similar to your own.

Ming Dynasty China

Liu Chi is ten years old and lives in China. It is the year 1585, and the era of the Ming Dynasty, which was one of the most exciting times to live in China. Liu Chi has to go to school, do chores, and get along with his brothers and sisters just like kids do today. He lives in Peking, which is now called Bejiing. Come along with Liu as he leads you through the narrow streets of the city to see the sights. There is a grand procession headed by Emperor Wanli to watch and a visit to the sweets shop. You will also make a stop in a park to see a puppet show and climb a tree to peer over the wall around the mysterious Forbidden City. Join Liu Chi for a trip back in time.

Renaissance Italy

An awakening, a rebirth called the "Renaissance, " changed Europe and the world from the 14th to the 16th century. The movement influenced all parts of society—art, science, architecture, literature, religion, politics, economics, and philosophy. Florence, Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance, thrived in its dynamic climate. Like most of the poor, this movement did not affect Antonia. She still roamed the streets barefoot with other kids begging for bread. However, things changed when she became a servant in the place of the Medici, the most powerful family in the region. Let's travel back to 15th-century Florence and visit Antonia who is anxious to tell about her life in Renaissance Italy.

The Spanish Empire: The Inquistion

Life in Spain was peaceful and simple for Rifka and her family, until Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand made a new decision for the country. Eager to bring the kingdoms closer, the royals felt everyone should share the same religion. Jews and Muslims were forced to convert—or leave. Explore Rifka's world as she, her brother, and her parents, decide to leave their homeland behind and head into the unknown. Along the way, you will meet the cloaked familiars, cruel men determined to get confessions no matter what they have to do, on the orders of the teenage king and queen. Spain, in all its beauty, will never be the same after this, and Rifka's family will bring you along on the journey.