By Claudia Friddell
"Joseph Pulitzer had always loved words. And the word he loved best was liberty."
Shannan and I bought Saving Lady Liberty: Joseph Pulitzer's Fight For The Statue Of Liberty to provide some historical reading for our young grands. Claudia Friddell's story is easy to follow and clear, and Stacy Innerst's illustrations are marvelous. A great book for children -- and adults!
A multi-lingual immigrant from Hungary, Joseph Pulitzer, left his homeland for the U.S. and the opportunity to pursue his dream of being a soldier. Tables turned and Pulitzer "couldn't wait for the war to end." Moving to Missouri and finding that he loved The Press, Pulitzer taught himself English, and eventually became co-owner of the paper.
After selling his share, Pulitzer and his wife traveled to Paris for the World's Fair. Taken by the colossal copper head of Lady Liberty, Pulitzer worked incessantly to bring the statue back to an America who didn't want to pay for the pedestal to hold it.
This book tells the story of Pulitzer's tenacious (and brilliant) fight to bring Lady Liberty to the United States. We have the brilliant and pesky immigrant to thank for the statue, and Friddell and Innerst for bringing the story to the lives of young readers (and older ones, too!).
Recommendation: Put this book on your shelves -- even if you don't have children and grandchildren. It is that good! A powerful story of sacrifice, patriotism and tenacity!
The Afterword is fantastic for kids and adults! And kudos to the author for the fine bibliography and scholarship!
