Chapter 2

The Jersey Trackers stared at each other in disbelief for a long time. Then Cooper broke the silence. “I can’t wear this hat! It makes me look like a New England Patriots fan, and you all know I’m a Jets fan, like forever!” declared Cooper as he tried to put his tri-corner hat on backwards like a baseball cap. Everyone read more

  When the Jersey Trackers entered the old city of Philadelphia there was excitement in the air. The cobblestone streets were filled with people dressed just like them. Shops were doing a brisk trade and crowds were happily milling about, smiling, tipping their hats to one another. “I wonder what’s going on?” asked Maya. “Me too,” added Jamal. “Well, we’re read more

"It’s 1776!!” she gasped. No one said a word until Jamal exclaimed, “But it’s July 8th, not July 4th!” “Now that is significant!” declared Mr. C. “This must have something to do with why we’re here.” “But what? And why on the 8th of July?” asked Simon. “Shouldn’t we have come back in time for our nation’s first birthday, on read more

As the crowd began to move toward Independence Hall, Simon and Gabby noticed a lone man pacing back and forth under a huge tree on the village green. He seemed to be deep in thought. “That man looks vaguely familiar,” said Simon to the Trackers. “Yeah, and there’s something about that tree,” added Gabby. “Come on, guys. Let’s get a read more

“I am indeed, young man, one and the same. Are you here for the first reading of our Declaration of Independence with your school master?” asked Benjamin Franklin, nodding to Mr. C. “Yes, Sir, we...ah…traveled from New Jersey,” answered Mr. C. “From New Jersey, our loyal sister colony,” answered Benjamin Franklin. “Then you crossed the Delaware River.” “In a manner read more

Just then the Trackers were surrounded by the crowd and swept toward Independence Hall to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in the booming voice of Colonel John Nixon. And when it was over, Cooper waved his tri-corner hat in the air and yelled “Woo Hoo!” But the crowd was cheering something else: Huzzah. “Coop, shout read more

Mr. C.’s eyebrows fly up. “You do? Really?” “Who did we find under this tree but one of the greatest thinkers of all time, Benjamin Franklin!” said Gabby. “After all, he founded the first public library!” “And discovered electricity,” added Jamal. “And started our postal system and the first volunteer fire department,” said Simon. “And was Ambassador to France, which read more

“As you know, after today, America will be at war with Great Britain, the most powerful nation on earth. There will be hard times for these thirteen colonies ahead. I think this Imagination Tree is reacting to the coming of the American Revolutionary War. Maybe you can help by being great thinkers yourself and give your best thoughts to this read more