Lessons from Liberty

by Rebekah A. Morris

Can Liberty capture the true spark of the Fourth?

With their roots sunk deep in the Air Force and a patriotic lake community, the Goldman family practically bleeds red, white, and blue. So when their cousin Alec confesses a shocking degree of ignorance about the Fourth of July, the girls decide to give him a crash course on the true meaning of Independence Day.

But Liberty is facing her own struggle with the coming holiday and the fact that her dad's deployment means he'll miss this year's celebration—and her birthday. Will the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice that inspired the founding fathers come to her rescue? And can she show Alec that there's more to the Fourth than fireworks and tea?

Genres: Short Stories, Contemporary, Holiday

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2022

About the author

Rebekah A. Morris has lived her entire life (as of now) in Missouri. Being home educated during her school years was great, except for writing. That was the worst subject (along with math) that she had to do. It wasn't until after she graduated that she discovered the joys and wonder of writing. Now she can't write enough. After spending six years in research and writing, she completed her first book, "Home Fires of the Great War," a 500+ page, historical fiction about home life in the United States and Canada during the First World War. Since then, she has been an avid writer and always has more than one story going on at once because only one story at a time got tiring and dull.

Get a free collection of stories here: https://sendfox.com/lp/3ezo5k

Reviews

[Katja Labonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This little novella is like America in a bottle! It's just bursting with proud patriotism and the contemporary all-American dream. As a Canadian, I found it a leetle overwhelming--we just don't celebrate our national holiday as explosively--but it almost made me nostalgic for something I never experienced, somehow. It felt set in the early 2000s, and was full of sunshine and laughter and strong family ties... just a great summer feel. Also, I enjoyed the Eight Cousins retelling and how the author wove in a nod to Alcott's recurring plays!!

**I read this story in A Very Bookish 4th of July **

[Sophia E. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did mean to read this by the 4th of July, but even if that didn't happen, it was just as enjoyable a story afterwards! The patriotic vibes, Air Force lingo, and comradery between the cousins was all so fun to read about! (Not to mention the ties to Eight Cousins all throughout the story; having just read that book for the first time, that was a part I particularly enjoyed!) Overall, it was a wonderful little story, not too long and not too short, to be reminded of what our nation means by!

[R.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so enjoyable and perfect to read today! :) It was so fun reading about seven cousins who love their country and because they loved it so much were able to teach another cousin facts about America!

Happy 4th of July!

[Lydia Willcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

This was a sweet story! I would love to read more stories about this family :)

[Rebekah Morris]

2025 Reread
Just randomly picked this book up and enjoyed it. I needed something that made me smile and this novella did it.

Enjoyed reading my own book again. I do like these characters. And I'd love to go spend a 4th of July with them!

[Angie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh, this story! Eight Cousins was one of my top favorites growing up, and I love how Rebekah captured the spirit of it here! Loved the gender-flip aspects, loved the Air Force connections, loved all the little traditions and habits that had to be explained along with ALL the patriotic things. (Seriously, I'm a pretty patriotic person, but I can't recite the Declaration of Independence or sing all four verses of The Star-Spangled Banner.) I adored Alec, and I loved the special bond that he and Libby developed. The way the cousins' presentation shaped up could have come straight out of my family's homeschool days. And there were so many Easter eggs, from personalities to events to quoted lines, for readers who know Eight Cousins, along with being just a delightful story on its own. Definitely a favorite!

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loves Louisa May Alcott's eight cousins, this is a lovely story! A fairly quick read, very patriotic. The perfect read for Independence Day!

I'm definitely a fan of all the characters in this story, and the similarities between it and Eight Cousins. A delight to read!