Customer Reviews

Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington

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Most kids are taught about George Washington at an early age. Most of the books that are about him tell tales that may or may not be true. They seem to make George more like a fairy tale character instead of a founding father. Not this book! This shows young kids today the real George Washington. It gives kids many details without overwhelming them. It gives kids a new way to look at the great man that helped to found this country and lead great men to fight for our freedom. If you are looking for a book to go with a Washington unit study this is the book for you. Perfect for classroom use!

When George Washington was a boy there were thirteen English colonies in North America. He was a fearless young man, but one unusual thing was that he was shy and had difficulty "making conversation." When his father died his big brother Lawrence "became like a father to him." He taught him everything he needed to know about life from him, including how to be a gentleman. He practiced his handwriting by copying from a "book of manners" thinking that if he could learn to be polite, people would not realize he was so shy. He was a talented young man who was good at a lot of things and when he was only sixteen he was hired as a "surveyor and mapmaker for the king."

One of his few faults was that he had a temper and later when he became a soldier he had trouble keeping that in check. In 1755 the Americans were fighting the "French soldiers and American Indian tribesmen at Fort Duquesne, Pennsylvania." His was angry and told General Braddock they should use an "surprise attack," but he didn't listen and died in that "tragic and bloody" battle. George, the fearless, yet shy young man grew in confidence and learned how to become a great soldier. In 1775 the colonists needed a leader and at the second Continental Congress he became General Washington and by 1789 he was elected president of the United States of America.

This was a well-written story that will attract the most reluctant reader to its pages. The story has a nice flow to it and packs a lot of history into its pages. Perhaps it will spur the reader on to learn more about Washington in more complicated biographies. The art work is sweeping and goes nicely with the text. In the back of the book, in the section called "A Note From The Author," there is additional information about Washington. This book can either be read for fun or used as a stepping stone for a school report.

Brief, excellent summary of George Washington's transformation from a shy boy to USA President with several interesting facts easily understood by young readers.