Benjamin Franklin

Children's Literature

This bland biography covers the highlights of Franklin's life and his many contributions to a young nation, but it omits the emotion or detail found in many other biographies of Franklin. More challenging than David Adler's version, but on an easier level than James Giblin's excellent and highly readable The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin, this book appeals to the same age group as Jean Fritz's early work. It will give children enough facts to write a small report but they will need to go elsewhere to gain a feel for the man and his times. Illustrations are an interesting mix of photographs, archival pictures, period paintings and historical detail (quill pen, oval from Poor Richard's Almanac, Franklin stove). An index, glossary, important facts and sources for other information are also appended. 2001, Compass Point Books, $19.93. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Susan Hepler