A Picture Book of Samuel Adams (Picture Book Biography) [Hardcover]

David A. Adler (Author), Michael S. Adler (Author), Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Picture Book Biography

This is the story of Samuel Adams, American Patriot and a founding father of the new American nation. He wrote and spoke out about the unfair British taxes imposed upon the colonists and helped organize the Stamp Act. He instigated the Boston Tea Party - an act of rebellion by the Sons of Liberty that would lead directly to the Revolutionary War. He was a delegate at the First and Second Continental Congresses, and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Adams continued to lead the struggle for liberty until his death. In this book, the Adlers offer a compelling hero for young readers - a man passionate about freedom, and determined to make a difference.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–Adler captures much of the complex nature of the man and his role in America's fight for independence. However, it is never easy to take a complicated person and create a succinct biography for children without oversimplification and choppy transitions. This book reflects these challenges. In particular, the Boston Tea Party is poorly explained. No clear reason is given for the patriots' actions, nor does the text mention that they disguised themselves as American Indians. The illustrations, however, show a number of men in tribal headdress, which could confuse readers unfamiliar with the event. Overall, though, the book presents a good overview of Adams, his personality, and his actions. The illustrations, done in muted tones, have the unfinished feel of sketches. While attractive, their soft focus, particularly of people's facial expressions, keeps the story distant and prevents the history from coming fully alive. Jean Fritz's classic Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? (Putnam, 1974) has a similar scope and audience, but is a livelier read and presents a more nuanced, complete overview of Adams's life.– Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
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From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. David Adler's son, Michael, is coauthor of this short biography, which maintains the high standard of writing and art that has made the A Picture Book of . . . series such a dependable resource. After a few pages on Adams' childhood and youth, the narrative relates the man's later accomplishments, from his early verbal attacks against the British in Boston and his later work fomenting revolution to his signing of the Declaration of Independence and his service as governor of Massachusetts. Weaving biographical information into a succinct explanation of conditions and dramatic events in pre-Revolutionary Boston, the story offers a good introduction to Adams and his times. Himler's pencil drawings with muted watercolor washes provide a series of handsome pictures illustrating moments of reflection as well as scenes of action. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823418464
• ISBN-13: 978-0823418466
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,162,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Boston Tea Party, February 4, 2008

By 

Joseph Adams "brother" (Superior, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Picture Book of Samuel Adams (Picture Book Biography) (Hardcover)

Samuel Adams ordered the boycott of British goods and that's how the Revolutionary War started. And there's beer in every home now.