Thomas Jefferson

Children's Literature

This entry in the well-written "Our Presidents" series provides an overview of Thomas Jefferson, his early years in Virginia, his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, the complicated voting that made him President, the Louisiana Purchase and other accomplishments of his two terms in office. All illustrations are contemporary photographs or are taken from art and cartoons of the day. One-page sections feature his friendship with John Adams, slavery at Monticello, and Jefferson's scientific bent. Sidebars add interesting facts and picture captions are informative and lengthy enough to inform casual browsers. Each book in the series ends with a glossary defining highlighted words in the text, a timeline specific to the president's life, a complete table of presidents through George W. Bush with their home states, life spans, presidential spans, political party and the name of their first ladies. Included are a page of "Presidential Facts" and numerous web sites and relevant suggested other resources, as well as an index. All in all, it's a strong, informative, and very readable contribution to the literature about presidents for upper elementary and middle school readers. 2002, The Child's World,
— Susan Hepler