My Dad, John McCain (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Dan Andreasen (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Although the picture-book format makes this look a bit young for kids who may actually be interested in John McCain, readers will get a broad-strokes biography, with some parts of the candidate’s life brushed away altogether. The author for this adulatory tome is McCain’s daughter Meghan, who begins by saying “he would make a great president.” She then goes on to detail how her grandfather and great-grandfather, both admirals in the navy, set a high standard for McCain, who had problems with authority growing up. She then traces his naval career, especially his time in Vietnam, including his five-year incarceration as a POW. But when he comes home, highly decorated, from Vietnam, “he met and married my mom, Cindy.” Well, first he divorced his wife, and nowhere, including a family picture, is there mention of his children from that marriage. An overview is given of McCain’s political career, and Andreasen’s color-and-sepia-tone art is handsome and evocative throughout. The shelf life for this could be short—or it could be one of the first biographies of a new president. Grades 2-4. --Ilene Cooper

Product Description

Born the son and grandson of military men, Senator John McCain from Arizona was destined for a life serving his country in the armed forces. Like many great men, he occasionally struggled with authority, but once he found his true calling -- flying naval aircraft -- his ideals and commitment to his country took him far.

From the low point of five years as a prisoner of war to the high points of raising a large, happy family and being chosen as the Republican nominee in the 2008 presidential election, Senator McCain has lived an incredible life driven by a love of his country and a desire to serve it to the best of his ability.

This picture book biography, written with great love and insight by his oldest daughter, writer Meghan McCain, shows us the public John McCain and the personal John McCain in a way we've never seen before -- making this American hero come to life before young eyes.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (September 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416975284
• ISBN-13: 978-1416975281
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #213,796 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #72 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Political
  #75 in	Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > Politics & Government

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book By A Loving Daughter!, September 18, 2008

By	Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a wonderful book by Meghan McCain written for children to explain why she believes her father would make a good president. She mainly addresses that by going over John McCain's life and how he has lived it. It is a nice story and she tells it well. A great addition to any school library or classroom.

24 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful children's book, September 16, 2008

By	(palmers) (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This is an excellent book written for children about an American war hero. The pictures are lovely and it is a great overview of John McCain's life. I took my daughter to her book signing and she does not deserve the negative comments written here. It's a shame that her book is not being reviewed but she is (or more accurately, her father's politics.)
This is a great book any child would learn something from.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Give Up, Never Quit, November 3, 2008

By	Sophie Cacique Gaul (Austin, Tejas) - See all my reviews

(What's this?)

A wonderful children's book written by a loving daughter. Everybody knows who John McCain is, but not everybody has seen him from his daughter's perspective. She's obviously loves him very much and she's poured out her love in this lovely story about her father.

Some might think she's over done it a bit, but I don't. I think she did a splendid job with this book. The illustrations by Dan Andreasen are excellent as well. My girls are a little old for this book, but I have a niece who is just the right age for this, four going on eleven. My girls and I sat with her and read this book and Republican or Democrat I think everybody can agree with Meghan's message here. Never give up. Never quit. Those words got her dad through some horrible times and have propelled him on an incredible journey.

I'll say it again, Never give up, never quit, good words.