A Man Named Thoreau [Library Binding]

Robert Burleigh (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Presents the life and ideas of the renowned nineteenth-century American author.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5 From the picture on the title pagea hand emerging from lush curling vines, thumb and forefinger extended gently around a confident snail with antennae also extendedthrough the opening quotation, "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost. . . ," this is a book that unfolds new pleasures on every page. When people wondered why Thoreau led what seemed to be an aimless life, Burleigh tells children that he was indeed ". . .doing something. He was thinking. And he was observing. . . ." These phrases ring with greater importance each time they are read. Each double-page spread is composed of brief and cogent text faced with beautifully soft, smudgy drawings. The events of Thoreau's life, including his sojourn at Walden Pond, his writing about simple, nonmaterialistic living, his friendships with Emerson and Hawthorne and his protests against the Mexican War and the practice of slavery are treated concisely. Burleigh likens Thoreau's influence on contemporary philosophy to the planting of a small seed that grows into a great tree. A chronology of important dates in Thoreau's life and a bibliography are included. An exquisitely simple introduction to a difficult subject. Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School Library, McKinney, Tex.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 31 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (October 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689311222
• ISBN-13: 978-0689311222
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,540,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for school children, November 10, 2008

By 

Careful shopper (Concord, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Man Named Thoreau (Hardcover)

Both my sons had the same second grade teacher and she read them this book to teach them about Henry David Thoreau. They both developed an admiration for the man and his ideas. The book often uses Thoreau's own words and explains them in a way that speaks to the soul. It gives a much better feeling for Thoreau's ideas and thoughts than the more simplified and popular books such as Henry Hikes to Fitchburg and Henry Builds a Cabin. I would think this would be appropriate for ages 7 to 12. It's too bad that it is out of print. The Lloyd Bloom charcoal illustrations are lovely, although I wonder if the book would not be out of print if it had more colorful illustrations.