Benjamin Franklin, American Genius

October 1, 2009
Gr 4-8-Miller does an excellent job of presenting a synopsis of Franklin's life in a highly readable manner. She details his humble beginnings in Boston in 1706 through his slow, yet hardworking rise to gentleman status, and his eventual death at age 84 in 1790. His accomplishments as a printer, free-press advocate, inventor, scientific observer, and diplomat are also described. Imbedded in each chapter are asides that further elaborate on Franklin's life and times and activities that coordinate with the text or the historical facts presented. The directions are easy to follow and enhance the overall presentation, especially in terms of classroom connections. Illustrations accompany each project and reproductions of primary documents, renderings, and paintings provide added value."G. Alyssa Parkinson, Highland Township Library, MI"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2009
Grades 7-12 This lively, oversize paperback talks about Franklin in all his roles as politician, scientist, inventor, writer, editor, diplomat, husband, and father. As in his similarly formatted George Washington for Kids (2007), Miller skillfully blends the political history with the personal biography. The format may seem targeted toward younger kids, but its teens who will best appreciate the intricate details about Franklins political maneuvers with France and Britain. Still, the relaxed, narrative style and open book design, with archival illustrations and frequent sidebars, will attract browsers in a wide age range, while the facts will spark classroom discussion. There is lots of personal drama, including Franklins position as a fervent abolitionist and his refusal to help his son, who was imprisoned for being a British Loyalist. The related activities offer many opportunities for interactive learning, and the diverse subjects, from Dig into Your Family Tree to Play a Glass Armonica, will appeal to many interests. The useful back matter includes a bibliography and Web sites.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)