Benjamin Franklin

Children's Literature

The exciting and interesting life of Benjamin Franklin is explored in this book from the "Just the Facts Biographies" series. Chapter one, "The Famous Doctor Franklin," describes Franklin's appearance in the French court as an ambassador for the American leaders during the Revolutionary War. The book then backtracks to describe Franklin's family and early life. Chapter two, "Making His Fortune," explains how the young adult Franklin started working at a printing press and built a successful printing and publishing business in Philadelphia. Chapter three, "Franklin of Philadelphia," describes how Franklin was appointed deputy postmaster for North America and his experiments with electricity. Chapter four, "A Mission in Britain," describes Franklin's involvement in the events that lead to the Revolutionary War. Chapter five, "More Trouble in the Colonies," describes how Franklin was accused of trickery and dishonesty by the British government. Chapter six, "Shots Heard 'Round the World," explains Franklin's involvement in the American Revolution. Chapter seven, "Working for a New Nation," describes how Franklin helped form American government as we know it today. Chapter eight, "A Last Journey Home," describes the last few years of Franklin's life and his death. This book is an excellent resource on Benjamin Franklin. It contains facts, but it also is told in almost historical novel style at times, which keeps the reader interested. Numerous photographs and reproductions of paintings accent this work of nonfiction. 2005, Lerner Publications, Ages 8 up.
—Amie Rose Rotruck

VOYA

A publisher's note boldly calls this new series an "Innovative Concept for Struggling Readers," a huge claim to make. The sentences in these two books about Benjamin Franklin and Oprah Winfrey are short and simply written with a smooth flow. Several words are defined in the text so that readers do not have to switch back and forth to the glossary. The authors do not fawn over their subjects. They do not hesitate to bring up dark incidents in Franklin's and Winfrey's lives-his illegitimate son, her sexual abuse and wildness as a teen. "It's a Fact!" boxes are scattered throughout each book, providing tidbits of little known information. Franklin's biography contains finely detailed small pen-and-ink drawings, some with color. Winfrey's has black-and-white and color photographs. Books in the series were written in consultation with a reading specialist, which might account for plain text and no fancy fonts in a size easily read. Krohn traces Oprah's life from her challenging childhood until the celebration of her fiftieth birthday. Streissguth goes beyond the well-known details of Franklin's life and succeeds in making him human, not merely the guy who flew the kite. Both authors seem to be writing to inspire their readers to discover and develop their own gifts and talents despite difficulties. Franklin's age might have held him back several times; Oprah's race could have been a deterrent. Others profiled in the series include Jesse Owens and John Glenn. One hopes that more women will be included in the future. The series can be recommended for both personal reading and report information. (Just the Facts Biographies). VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasionallapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Lerner, 105p.; Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Biblio. Source Notes. Further Reading., PLB . Ages 11 to 18.
—Pam Carlson

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-A fact-filled and readable addition to the plethora of materials about the statesman. Streissguth begins with Franklin's early life in the Massachusetts colony and continues with his education, brilliant mind, inventions, writing, and, finally, his involvement with the creation of the new country of the United States. Reproductions and illustrations are well placed throughout, and fact boxes offer some unusual tidbits, such as the fact that following the Boston Tea Party, "Franklin offered to pay for the ruined tea out of his own pocket. He thought this action would ease the tension between the colonies and Great Britain." An attractively formatted selection for libraries looking for more biographies of Founding Fathers.-Rita Soltan, Oakland University, Rochester, MI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.