Nonfiction and Biography
Book Review #3
BECOMING BEN FRANKLIN How a Candle-Maker's Son Helped Light
the Flame of Liberty
by Russell Freedman
Freedman, Russell. 2013.
BECOMING BEN FRANKLIN; HOW A CANDLE-MAKER'S SON HELPED LIGHT THE FLAME OF
LIBERTY. Johor Bahru, Johor, Malasia. Holiday House. 9780823423743
This book tells the story
of a great man, Benjamin Franklin. He was distinguished statesman, renowned
author, and world-famous scientist. "This is a riveting story of how
a rebellious apprentice became an American icon through hard work and an
endless supply of innovative ideas." All of his life experiences are retold
in this wonderful book. It traces his life chronologically, it all begins
in 1793 when Ben Franklin runs away from home and arrives in Philadelphia at
the age of seventeen, he has no money and no friends. He has a great
desire to work and works different jobs and travels to different places.
Ben Franklin was a very curious man who created many useful things, he
was the inventor of items such as the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and
bifocal glasses.
The struggles and
joys of Franklin's personal life are also highlighted in the book. He was
a man who had an eye for the ladies and this book highlights his personal
relationships and speaks of his daughter named Sarah Franklin Bache known as
Sally. He was a personable and persuasive man, however he could also be
prideful and resentful.
His most important role
was a founding father of this great country. He was involved in the
composition of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Freedman does an amazing
job engaging the reader as he tells the story of Benjamin Franklin's life.
He does a masterful job intertwining Franklin's personal story with
historical events and observations as others during his time. The lay out
of the book is kid friendly, nearly every page has a photograph illustrating a
person or event from the narrative. The pictures break up the text,
making the pages and chapters less overwhelming for the reader. The pictures
also provide essential visuals for the reader, especially the younger reader.
The reader gets a sense of what life was like and what life looked like
200 years ago-from the way they dressed, to the wigs, and to the quill pens
that were an important tool when writing so many important documents in our
country. Overall, the book engages the young and mature reader with its
bold content and engaging text.
BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW:
"Writing about a man whose long life included such varied interests and
accomplishments must involve hard choices of what to leave out, but Freedman
clearly enjoys the challenge. In chapters with titles such as Dr.
Fatsides in the Mother Country, he writes perceptively about every stage of
Franklin's life, weaving in lively anecdotes as well as quotes from his
Autobiography and other writings. The well-chose color illustrations
include period paintings, prints, and documents. Handsomely designed,
solidly researched, and beautifully written, this is the go-to biography of
Franklin for young people."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
REVIEW:
"Biographers make
decisions about what to leave out as much as what to put in, but Freedman is
consistent in connecting his discussion to primary sources. The result is
an account that examines the whole of Franklin's remarkable life but does not
overwhelm readers."
*Invite children to research other founding fathers and choose one to compare to Ben Franklin, write similarities and differences.
*Invite children to read other books about Ben Franklin:
Rogers, Sam. WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT Benjamin FRANKLIN? A BIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN JUST FOR KIDS!. 1495308162
Lawson, Robert. BEN AND ME: AN ASTONISHING LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BY HIS GOOD MOUSE AMOS. ISBN 0316517305
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