The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

by Ryan Jacobson, Cynthia Martin (Illustrator), Terry Beatty (Illustrator)

Overview

Discusses the events leading up to the Battle of Fort McHenry and Francis Scott Key's writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, and later how it became our national anthem. Written in graphic-novel format.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780736868815
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/01/2006
Series:	Graphic History
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	767,131
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Cynthia Martin has worked in comics and animation since 1983. Her credits include Star Wars, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, in addition to work as a storyboard artist for Sony Children's Entertainment and the Krislin Company. Cynthia's recent projects include an extensive series of graphic novels for Capstone Press and two issues of Blue Beetle for DC Comics. She also illustrated the book Alley of Shadows, published by Stone Arch Books.

Terry Beatty has inked THE BATMAN STRIKES! and BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD as well as several other DC Comics graphic novels.

Table of Contents

America at war — Defending Fort McHenry — A long, dark, night — A song for a nation.

Editorial Reviews

This graphic history book tells the dramatic and fascinating story of how Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem, “The Defence of Fort McHenry,” and how it became America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Basic facts are presented in rectangular boxes. Dialogue boxes allow for further information with actual quotes presented in balloons with yellow backgrounds. The quote sources and the pages on which they appear are listed after the CIP information. Readers will learn about the War of 1812, why Key happened to be on the British ship the day before the British attacked Fort McHenry, and the flag sewn by Mary Pickersgill, which was his inspiration. The words, but not the tune for “The Star-Spangled Banner” are included. The full-color illustrations complement the text and will help readers understand the importance of this symbol of liberty. It is evident that much thought has gone into the design of this “Graphic Library” series. Short sentences with controlled vocabulary in combination with the format make this appropriate for older reluctant readers as well as younger readers just beyond the beginning reader stage. Two pages more of information are found at the back of the book. Back matter includes a glossary; a list of several books for the reader who wants to learn more about the flag and the song; a code to connect with “FactHound,” which connects the reader with appropriate Internet sites; an index; and a bibliography.

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