Jimmy Carter

Children's Literature - Della A. Yannuzzi

Author Waxman has written a forty-eight page readable and interesting biography about former President and humanitarian Jimmy Carter. In five short chapters Waxman tells the reader about Carter's early childhood in Plains, Georgia, growing up with two sisters and a brother named Billy. Jimmy's father ran a peanut farm. Jimmy helped out on the farm doing many chores and always eager for new challenges. His father began calling him "hotshot." His mother Lillian was a nurse and treated everyone with respect and kindness. Jimmy graduated from Plains High School and went to college for two years. Then he attended the United States Navy Academy. He married Rosalynn Smith and had his first child, John. Jimmy served in the Navy as an officer. When his father died, Jimmy left the Navy and he and his family moved back to Georgia to run his father's business. Carter also ran for the Senate and won. Three years later he ran for governor of Georgia but lost. A few years later he ran again and won. In 1974, Carter ran for the presidency of the United States and won. Carter worked hard to bring different countries together. He met with Sadat and Begin and agreed on a peace treaty. He lost the reelection for the presidency, but when he and Rosalynn returned home, they turned their attentions to humanitarian and peace work. The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, promotes world peace. Carter also uses his carpentry skills for the Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds houses for people in need. Jimmy is an inspiration and role model for young people. His work in government and as a private citizen has made a difference in many people's lives. Color and black-and-white photographs areincluded.