The Revolutionary John Adams [Hardcover]

Cheryl Harness (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

John Adams comes to vivid life for young readers in this latest addition to Harness’s acclaimed presidential picture-biographies. Dynamic artwork and lively narrative create a warm, personable portrait of the stubborn man from Braintree, Massachusetts, whose passion for liberty spurred him on to extraordinary roles as a Founding Father, first Vice President, and second President of the United States. Through Adams’s eyes, kids witness the tension-enflamed streets of Boston, the bickering Continental Congress, the complexities of waging the War for Independence, and the challenges of governing a new nation. Vivid quotes from both John and Abigail Adams provide great primary source material for school reports, and three illustrated maps let readers see where key events took place.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-An accessible, appealing, and informative look at the second president of the United States, "the stout, stubborn New Englander eternally bookended and overshadowed by tall, glamorous Virginians [George Washington and Thomas Jefferson]." Harness points out that Adams is one of the few revolutionary leaders for whom there is no monument. And she credits his numerous contributions as ambassador to France and England, both during the Revolution and later, and his role as champion of a strong and central government. She personalizes the text by recounting the great sacrifices made by Adams and his family during his long years of public service and includes quotes from his letters and speeches throughout. Details such as the supplies Abigail packed for John and their 10-year-old son when they sailed for Europe in 1777 are included. The author also points out what hard work it was to be a revolutionary as well as a diplomat. Large, colorful illustrations highlight points in the text, such as a painting of Adams, Jefferson, Washington, and Alexander Hamilton looking sincere and forceful. The book closes with an overview of world events during Adams's presidency, including Napoleon's invasion of Egypt. A first-purchase.
Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. America's second president, John Adams, is often overlooked because he's sandwiched between George "the father of his country" Washington and the brilliant, multitalented Thomas Jefferson. Harness corrects that oversight in this concise, yet informative, offering that emphasizes Adams' public life and his important contributions to the establishment of the U.S. government. The oldest son of a shoemaker and farmer, Adams attended Harvard, taught school, and later became a lawyer. An active participant in colonial causes, he helped to write the Declaration of Independence, lobbied for France's assistance during the Revolution, authored the Massachusetts state constitution, and served as ambassador to England before becoming president. After leaving office he remained active as an elder statesman, debating and exchanging views with his archrival Jefferson until the day they both died, July 4, 1826. Harness' warm, friendly, mixed-media illustrations, which range from full-color, double-page spreads to labeled diagrams to black-line silhouettes, will delight children, and quotes from Adams' letters, including many letters to his wife, Abigail, are a bonus. A fascinating book for young history buffs, this will also be great for classes studying the struggle for independence; there's even an illustrated summary of world events during Adams' term of office. Pair this with Alexandra Wallner's Abigail Adams (2001), which looks at the other half of a dynamic couple. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792269705
• ISBN-13: 978-0792269700
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.4 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #842,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( A ) > Adams, John

More About the Author

Cheryl Harness makes her home in Independence, Missouri, the "Queen City of the Trails," a couple of blocks away from the big white house where Harry and Bess Truman used to live. She lives with Mimi (a black and white Shih Tsu)), and Merrie Emma (a cross-eyed scaredy-cat). As an author, illustrator, public speaker, and presenter in many an elementary school, Cheryl is known for her engaging, entertaining approach to history, her detailed watercolors, and the way she plays her harmonica.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, April 4, 2011

By 

P. Gregory "catwoman" (Shreveport, LA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Revolutionary John Adams (Paperback)

This biography closely follows David McCullough's book about John Adams. I bought it to prepare my grandchildren, ages 8 and 9, for a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Washington, D.C. Very readable and interesting.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Picture Book of John Adams, Well Written!, February 23, 2011

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Revolutionary John Adams (Paperback)

This book will definitely have a place in my classroom. It is a wonderfully written biography on John Adams, written for the late elementary/ middle school grades. The covers his young life right through to his death and is very good at depicting his life. His work as a revolutionary receives thorough coverage in the book.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good information badly written, February 3, 2010

By 

Sara Bellum "sarabellum" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Revolutionary John Adams (Paperback)

I checked out this book from our library and read it to my 6-year-old. We made it about 2/3 through and had to stop. It is full of good, accurate information, quotes from letters to and from John and Abigail, but the writing is very difficult to read aloud. Children's books are best written with simple, declarative sentences (Bill went to the store to buy bread) rather than indirect, compound sentences (Because his pantry was low on bread, Bill made a trip to the store). Children do not grasp the point of the sentence if the subject/verb is reversed. The writing style makes the book hard to read aloud to young children, and difficult for older children to read alone. One star off for writing.

Also, I understand that context is important when telling someone's story, but parts of this book have more to do with the Revolution than the life of John Adams. I would like to have seen more about the man named John Adams and less about what was going on in the world at the time. There were a few teasers about specific things that he did toward America's freedom--like defending the British soldiers from the Boston Massacre--but there was not very much detail about these monumentous events. One star off for content.

The information it contains is correct, it just seems lacking somehow.