I am Benjamin Franklin

October 1, 2020

K-Gr 3-This latest installment in the "Ordinary People Change the World" series covers the life of Benjamin Franklin. Using first-person narration, the text opens with a few anecdotes from Franklin's childhood in Boston before launching into the many accomplishments of his adult life, such as his printing career in Philadelphia, his kite and electricity experiment, and the subsequent invention of the lightning rod. Unexplained cameos of other electricity pioneers in the final spread-from Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison to Doc Brown and Marty McFly-suggest that the biography's focus is on Franklin's scientific achievements. The text also describes Franklin's role as a Founding Father; however, it completely ignores why George III was treating the colonies "unfairly." Franklin's attempts at self-improvement are also featured. One spread shows his chart of 13 virtues, and the final spread advises, "You don't have to be just one thing. But you do need to be a good person." Overall, this formulaic overview may work for some of the other books in this series, but this breezy biography attempts to include too many facets of Franklin's life without context or much detail. Back matter includes a time line, sources, and a further reading list. VERDICT An extra purchase where short biographies are popular.-Erica Ruscio, Ventress Memorial Lib., Marshfield, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2020
Grades 1-3 The two latest entries in the Ordinary People Change the World series (2 new titles) continue to deliver accessible history lessons through the charm of youthful comics. I Am Benjamin Franklin features a miniaturized, baby-faced version of the aged founding father, complete with gray locks, little specs, and brown coat. Addressing modern youngsters in the first-person, Franklin chronicles his own life, from childhood to the Declaration of Independence, focusing on the curiosity, tenacity, and other virtues that made him such a successful inventor, writer, and diplomat. An excellent series?with a particular standout in Anne Frank?perfect for beginning readers not quite ready for Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)