The United States was formed by a group of people fighting back against perceived injustices by Great Britain, which the British viewed as justified actions. Both sides of the story of American independence are presented to readers, along with colorful maps, discussion questions, and annotated quotes. In-depth sidebars help readers connect these events to their own lives by examining how the American Revolution is presented in pop culture, and by exploring what the historical sites mentioned are like today. This fresh approach encourages readers to think critically about the events that ultimately led to American independence.