Texas - 19th Century - Revolution & Republic, Political Figures - Biography, United States - State & Local History, Politics & Government - United States

Make Way for Sam Houston

Name: Make Way for Sam Houston
Author: Jean Fritz
ISBN: 9780698116467

by Jean Fritz, Elise Primavera

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Overview

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. 'Lively, readable, and solidly researched, this is the kind of biography every child needs.' — Booklist, starred review —Jean Fritz has done it again.'Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person.'— School Library Journal, starred review —Young readers will find the book fast-paced and fact-packed.' — The New York Times Book Review Jean Fritz lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Traces the life of the soldier who led the fight for Texas' independence from Mexico, served as governor and senator, and opposed secession during the Civil War.

Synopsis

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. Lively, readable, and solidly researched, this is the kind of biography every child needs. - Booklist, starred review Jean Fritz has done it again..Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person.- School Library Journal, starred review Young readers will find the book fast-paced and fact-packed. - The New York Times Book Review Jean Fritz lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Publishers Weekly

Fritz's wit, sensitivity and understanding of the young reader have won her numerous awards and honors. They have also granted her the ability to make history and historical figures come alive. Her new book chronicles the colorful life of Sam Houston from his boyhood in Virginia to his death in Huntsville, Texas. While this biography is not easy reading, and a knowledge of the Civil War is helpful in understanding Houston's story, Fritz tempers the complicated background material with amusing anecdotes, such as the time one of his children interrupted a senate session while Houston was the governor of Texas, by locking the senators in the meeting room. Fritz's thoroughly researched narrative is supplemented by writings and quotes by Houston and his acquaintances. Involving reading for biography and history buffs. (10-up)

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Children's Literature - Kristin Harris

Sam Houston was a man, bigger than life, who lived with a bravado that still resonates today. Born in 1793 in Virginia, his family soon moved to the wilds of Tennessee. His father was in the militia and with four older brothers, Sam soon had military heroes to inspire him. Not cut out for farm life, he ran away and lived with the Cherokees for three years-an experience that would mold his later years. Sam then began a military/political career that spanned many years, and that included fighting Indians as well as being their sponsor/champion, and forging the state of Texas. Sam Houston was prone to flamboyant costumes and behavior, which makes his story even more interesting. All in all, a very entertaining and informative biography.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6 Jean Fritz has done it again. In her tightly woven, well-researched biography of the Texas hero, she has demystified Sam Houston by presenting the facts of his life and providing interpretations. Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person. Houston was a self-educated man who fought in the War of 1812, served as a congressman and governor of Tennessee, fought for Texas independence, served as its first president and later as governor and senator after Texas joined the union. Much of his life was influenced by his boyhood reading of hero stories, especially those of Caius Marius, a Roman general and statesman. Fritz does not glide over Houston's weaknesses such as his problem with alcohol and his marriage to an Indian woman when still married to another woman. She delights in recounting Houston's dramatic flair. He stole the show from Mirabeau B. Lamar, elected to replace him as president of Texas, on his inauguration day by arriving dressed as George Washington and proceeding to give a three hour farewell address to the extreme consternation of Lamar. Other biographies of Houston have joined the ranks of o.p., but even collections that still have them should make room on their shelves for this splendid biography.Therese Bigelow, Hampton Public Library, Va.