Soldier and Founder: Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton rose from life as an orphan to one of America's Founding Fathers. A military man, Hamilton fought for the freedom of the colonies from Britain, and later became a member of Congress. While serving as the secretary of the treasury, he founded the U.S. Mint, the first national bank, and supported a number of tariffs meant to lend financial stability to the United States.

Children's Literature

This volume is a part of the "We the People" biography series. Alexander Hamilton was an important figure in the earliest days of the United States of America. This text provides a compelling picture of his life that will engage the interest of young readers. Alexander Hamilton was born on an island in the Caribbean Sea. Because his parents were not married, Alexander Hamilton was looked down on as a child and always felt he had to prove his worth. His family struggled financially, and his mother died when he was thirteen. He went to live with the family of a friend and eventually became friendly with Hugh Knox, who arranged for Hamilton to go to college in America. He quickly became active in the patriot cause. Sharing details about his youth will get younger readers hooked and excited about the more familiar story that follows. Sadly, Hamilton's life ended prematurely as a result of a duel with Aaron Burr. The book also includes a timeline, short paragraphs about important figures in Hamilton's life, resources for further reading, and an index. Reviewer: Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger