The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin [Paperback]

James Giblin (Author), Michael Dooling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

A biography of the eighteenth-century printer, inventor, and statesman who played an influential role in the early history of the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-In a concise, readable style, this biography presents a great deal of information about a key figure in American history. Like Jean Fritz's What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? (Putnam, 1976), the book does not romanticize or sentimentalize Franklin's genius or his contributions. Giblin includes the challenges Franklin faced in establishing himself in business, his falling out with his son when they took different sides in the Revolutionary War, and the illnesses he suffered throughout his later years, and balances them with the man's successes in publishing, his inventions, and his diplomatic service. Dooling's realistic full-color, full-page paintings and spot sketches capture not only Franklin, his family, and colleagues, but also reveal much about life in the Colonies and England during this period. Concluding informational pages include a chronology of Franklin's life, a discussion of his inventions, a page of sayings from Poor Richard's Almanack, descriptions of historical sites associated with Franklin, and notes on sources used by both the biographer and the illustrator. These additions enrich and expand on the text. A balanced biography that belongs in all collections.
Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Following the format of his picture-book biographies of George Washington (1992) and Thomas Jefferson (1994), Giblin, ably aided by artist Michael Dooling, presents the life of Benjamin Franklin--and an amazing life it was. Apprenticed to his brother as a printer, Franklin was soon running his own business and writing his own books, including the popular Poor Richard's Almanack. When Franklin became wealthy enough to retire, his life was just beginning. He indulged himself in his passion for science, worked for public improvements, such as libraries and hospitals, and, of course, became one of the nation's founding fathers as he tirelessly devoting himself to the affairs of a fledgling nation. Giblin's writing is lively, and he wisely uses the story of Franklin's estrangement from his only living son, a Royalist, to heighten dramatic tension. Dooling provides both expertly executed paintings and simple line drawings to bring Franklin's story close to today's readers. An especially useful touch is the wealth of back matter. Besides the expected time line and narrative bibliography, there is a page about Franklin's inventions, another with sayings from Poor Richard's Almanack, a list of historic sites associated with Franklin, and an informative illustrator's note. More than enough material for report writers but an intriguing offering for biography lovers as well. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic; 1 edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590485342
• ISBN-13: 978-0590485340
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,512,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and illustrated tale of a great hero, April 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin (Paperback)

What famous person helped start the first library in the American colonies? Who also helped to establish the first fire department in the American colonies? Who helped establish the first hospital in Philadelphia? Who first proved the electricity and lightning were one and the same thing? Even if you didn't guess right, you will probably agree that the man who did all of these things, plus a whole lot more, had to be a very interesting fellow. And he was. In THE AMAZING LIFE OF BEN FRANKLIN, James Cross Giblin tells us all about it. Ben was born in Boston, the youngest of ten sons, and one of seventeen children. When he was ten years old, he started helping out in his father's soap and candlemaking shop, and he absolutely hated it. His father then apprenticed him to his brother, a printer, and printing turned out to be one of the many things that Ben loved to do. In fact, on his tombstone, that is all he wanted said-B. Franklin, a printer. But we all know now that Ben turned out to be one of the most famous and most beloved people in American history-and this is his story. There are great color illustrations. This is the best possible introduction to our own beloved Ben Franklin.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Giblin and Dooling Create A Masterpiece!, June 8, 2000

By 

Frank Murphy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin (Paperback)

Giblin and Dooling have collaborated to make a perfect picture book biography. Roy Goodman's (leading Ben Franklin historian) expertise makes this book a wealth of information that can assist children in the writing of school reports. This book is so rich with detail. The fact that there is an Illustrator's Note by Dooling makes this a real candidate for at least a Caldecott Honor. I have visited Dooling's web site and now plan to purchase a sketch or original painting from this book! Outstanding!