Revolutionary Mary: The True Story of One Woman, the Declaration of Independence, and America's Fight for Freedom

by Karen Blumenthal, Jen McCartney, Elizabeth Baddeley (Illustrator)

Overview

A bold picture book biography about Mary Katharine Goddard, the only woman whose name is printed on the Declaration of Independence, by award-winning authors Karen Blumenthal and Jen McCartney, and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley.

Who was Mary Katharine Goddard?

Born in 1738, she was homeschooled by her mother in reading and math. She took over her brother’s printing shop a few years later and became an expert in printing newspapers, essays, and posters.

When the American Revolution started, she published important news that helped the fight against the British – even if it meant that if she was caught, she’d be punished for treason. In 1776, Mary was asked to print the Declaration of Independence – she is the only woman whose name is on the Declaration.

That was Mary.

Follow Mary's revolutionary journey in this captivating picture book biography perfect for fans of I DISSENT and COUNTING ON KATHERINE.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626723115
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	02/18/2025
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	107,228
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Karen Blumenthal (1959-2020) was a financial journalist and editor whose career included five years with The Dallas Morning News and twenty-five with The Wall Street Journal—where her work helped earn the paper a Pulitzer Prize for its breaking news coverage of the September 11, 2001 attacks—before becoming an award-winning children’s non-fiction book writer.

Three of her books, Hillary Rodham Clinton: A Woman Living History, Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different, and Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition, were finalists for the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award.

Karen was also the author of Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929 (named a Sibert Honor Book), Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX (winner of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award), Tommy: The Gun That Changed America, Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend, and Jane Against the World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights.

Jen McCartney is a television writer and screenwriter. She has worked on Hulu’s Solar Opposites, Netflix’s The Big Show Show, and others. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and dog, Peach.

Editorial Reviews

★ "An excellent purchase recommended to any library seeking to embolden readers of a new kind of revolutionary leader." — School Library Journal, starred review

"A fascinating look at a thoughtful, courageous woman." — Kirkus Reviews

"An engaging introduction to a lesser-known contributor to American history." — Booklist

From the Publisher

★ 01/01/2025

Gr 3–5—Be ready to welcome a much-needed spotlight narrative on a woman who fought for free press and liberty. Mary Katharine Goddard printed and published newspapers and pamphlets in Maryland during the Revolutionary War. She had a tenacity and boldness about her professional work that was not commonly seen in women during the era. Goddard was tasked with the important mission of printing copies of the signed Declaration of Independence for wider distribution throughout the colonies and risked her own safety by signing her name as publisher to what was, of course, a treasonous document. The art enhances this tale tenfold by making readers feel and vicariously suffer the hard work Goddard endured. Every word used to emphasize the impact of Goddard's work drives readers to know more. Important back matter gives helpful context to the life of Goddard and the printing business. VERDICT An excellent purchase recommended to any library seeking to embolden readers of a new kind of revolutionary leader.—Lindsey Morrison

School Library Journal

2024-11-09
The story of an unusual woman who printed the Declaration of Independence.

Mary Katharine Goddard was determined to be recognized. Though she didn’t attend school, she was fortunate to have a mother who tutored her in reading and math. When Mary and her mother worked in brother William’s print shop, she could see another option for her life, beyond marriage and motherhood. She became immersed in her profession, relishing the hard physical work. She printed newspapers, books, advertisements, and more, as well as information about events that were moving the 13 colonies toward independence from Britain. When the Revolution began, she was fully aware that she was committing treason, proudly placing her name, M.K. Goddard, on every paper she issued. Mary was chosen to print the first official copies of the Declaration of Independence, which showed the names of the signers. She made her own statement by adding her full name as printer. “That was Mary.” The tale is filled with details of America’s revolutionary period, insights into Mary’s character, and facts about the printing process—“Whoosh!” “Pound!” “Crank!”—all greatly enhanced by bright, sharply delineated illustrations accompanied by sepia insets that provide further historical information. Mary was white, but some workers and townspeople have darker skin. In the backmatter, the author notes that upon her death, Mary freed the enslaved woman she owned, Belinda, and left her all her possessions.

A fascinating look at a thoughtful, courageous woman. (about Mary Katherine Goddard, printing history of the Declaration of Independence, printing and publishing in colonial times, select bibliography, author’s note)(Picture book-biography. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews