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Unite or Die, How Thirteen States Became a Nation by Jacqueline Jules and illustrated by Jef Czekaj is a perfect book to sit down with this holiday weekend with your kids and learn exactly how the constitution was created.  And trust me, perhaps my own recollection of history is rusty but as an adult I learned a lot from this picture book.

After the revolutionary war and America’s declaration of independence from England, thirteen states each governed themselves independently, similar to small countries.  Did you know that each state used it’s own currency?  Not I.  But I do now.  Soon realizing that a strong national government was needed the Constitutional Convention was called and for four hot months an in upmost secrecy, delegates from the thirteen states hammered out the foundation for the current model of government in the United States and on September 17th, 1787 the United States Constitution was signed.

The text from Unite or Die is concise and informative.  Jules explains the background of the United States, why a national government was needed, how and which issues the delegates debated and how the constitution was created as a living document, intended to be fluid and changing for a nation that was still growing with issues not yet discovered.

The rest of the story is told in the form of a school play, which stems from Jules own experience as a elementary school librarian who wrote such a skit for her own students to celebrate Constitution Day.  Thirteen child cast members each represent a state and they literally fight it out on stage in their homemade costumes in front of their adoring parents.  There is a lot of amusing and informative bubble text which fills in gaps from the text.  Jef Czekaj is a popular Nickelodeon illustrator and although as a parent, it’s not a style I particularly like, kids will enjoy the familiar style.

Jules also includes an afterword and notes about particular statements made throughout the book.  A bibliography is also included for further study on the Constitution.

So what fun facts did I come away with?  Benjamin Franklin traveled to Independence Hall in a sedan chair carried on poles by four men because at 81 he was to old to ride in a carriage.  The meeting was held in secrecy so the delegates could discuss issues freely without worrying about the press or public reactions.  It was Roger Sherman who saved the day and turned the meeting around when he presented the Great Compromise:  every state, regardless of size, would have two representatives in the Senate, and representation based on population in the House of Representatives.  And originally, the vice president would be the runner up in the election.  Can you imagine?

Unite or Die is the type of book that kids won’t even realize that they are learning.  I love sneaky books.

Happy Independence Day!

Links of interest:  Jacqueline Jules website, Jef Czekaj’s website, Unite or Die book trailer, read the constitution for yourself.
Genre:  Non-Fiction Picture Book, ages 9-12
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing.  February 1, 2009.
Paperback, 48 pages.  ISBN:  158089190X
Unite or Die, How Thirteen States Became a Nation is available from your local independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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