by Jane Mayer
First published 1973
Betsy Ross sits in her Philadelphia shop, needle in hand, as colonial leaders bring her an unusual request. They want a flag for their new nation, something with stars and stripes that will unite the colonies under one banner. Ross must navigate the technical challenges of the design while the weight of history presses down on her work. Each stitch carries meaning as she transforms rough sketches into the symbol that will represent American independence. The story follows Ross through the creative process, showing how practical decisions about fabric, colors, and arrangement shaped an enduring national emblem. Her steady hands and keen eye for detail prove crucial as she works to bring the founders' vision to life, creating something that will fly over battlefields and government buildings for generations to come.
Genres: biography, historical, historical-fiction, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: creative-process, historical-figure
Setting: Philadelphia
Period: Colonial Era, American Revolution
173 pages · Library Binding · Random House Childrens Books