George Washington's Mother (All-Aboard Reading, Level 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jean Fritz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 1992 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Penguin Young Readers, L3

Everyone has a mother. Even George Washington. But Mary Washington is nothing like you'd think! She hates to dress up. And she always thinks she knows what's best for George. After all, she's his mother! You can read more about her in this true story by Jean Fritz.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-- Fritz brings the excitement of history to newly independent readers. They will easily relate to teenaged George having to obey his mother, but may not understand her continual meddling and kvetching once her son be- comes an adult. Using factual data and funny incidents, the author humorously depicts Mary Ball Washington as a manipulative and stubborn worrywart. The numerous, half- and full-page, pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are reminiscent of Margot Tomes's work; they complement the text and extend the humor. However, the paintings lack the visual crispness associated with Fritz's earlier biographies illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman and others. Still, George Washington's Mother gives youngsters an enjoyable introduction to our nation's first president from a unique perspective. --Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."

In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.

An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers; Reissue edition (August 7, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448403846
• ISBN-13: 978-0448403847
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( F ) > Fritz, Jean
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > United States
  • #33 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( W ) > Washington, George

More About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars POOR LITTLE FIRST- MOTHER, October 2, 2000

By 

"elainaxyz" (bristow, oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Washington's Mother (All-Aboard Reading, Level 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Poor George ! This book really surprised me. Is this based on facts? Good lesson on contentment. We should all count our blessings, daily. Mrs. Washington had many, yet she was blind to them.I WOULD STILL BUY THIS AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CHARACTER TRAITS.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Friendly Droll Little Book!, February 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: George Washington's Mother (All-Aboard Reading, Level 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I really appreciated this book. It shows that we are all human and even George Washington had a clingy dependent mother. Whatever flaws he had in his own personality and flaws in his relations, he still found himself being able to cope and acheive. That's a great message to send to readers. It also highlights the dependency women had on men. George Washington's mother was not able to support herself and believed she could not cope.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing...not Jean Fritz's usual quality, December 14, 2000

By 

Leslie G Nelson (Payson, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Washington's Mother (All-Aboard Reading, Level 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a fan of Jean Fritz, but I was disappointed with this book. It portrays Mrs. Washington in a very bad light, selfish, and greedy. While this may be true, I don't feel it is appropriate for this age level. Children this age should be taught to respect adults. If what Jean Fritz wrote about Mrs. Washington is true then I don't mind my children learning about it...when they are a bit older. Although this book was a disappointment, I do recommend other Fritz books such as George Wahington's Breakfast, and Shh! We're writing the Constitution.