Thomas Jefferson (United States Presidents (Enslow)) [Library Binding]

Wendie C. Old (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: United States Presidents (Enslow)

Explores the life of the third president, from his childhood in Virginia, through his writing of the Declaration of Independence, to his years in office.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8--A concise, well-organized, though workmanlike, account of the highlights of Jefferson's life and career. Old makes it clear that her subject was a far-seeing political philosopher and tactician, as well as a lifelong student and practitioner of law, architecture, agriculture, animal husbandry, and many aspects of science. The biography begins with an examination of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, an act that went against Jefferson's natural inclination to be a "strict constructionist" in regard to interpreting the Constitution, but was very much in line with his interest in expanding the territory of the U.S. The rest of the book is a traditional, chronological examination of the man's development and accomplishments. It is noted that Jefferson felt that "slavery was against the law of nature" and yet he owned slaves throughout his life and freed only five of them upon his death, all members of the Hemings family. No mention is made of slave Sally Hemings. The text is generously larded with appropriate, cogent quotes as well as a good selection of black-and-white photos, archival reproductions, examples of source documents, and Jefferson-related Internet sites. This biography could serve as a companion to Milton Meltzer's Thomas Jefferson (Watts, 1991).

David A. Lindsey, Lakewood High and Middle School Libraries, WA

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Publishers (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894908375
• ISBN-13: 978-0894908378
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,982,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wendie Old began writing in high school but didn't get books published until the early 1990s. They immediately collected awards. Her series of middle school biographies each were honored with the NCSS/CBC Notable Book award from Social Studies teachers. TO FLY, THE STORY OF THE WRIGHT BROTHERS, Clarion 2002, a book for elementary school readers, won many awards -- one from all the teacher groups (except the Math teachers), Boston Globe - Horn Book Honor Book, ALA Notable Children's Book 2003, and was on many state reading lists.

She enjoys being a children's librarian in a public library. When she discovered the lack of information about Groundhog Day -- she wrote a book about that. (See if the groundhog near you is mentioned in that book. Most of them are.)

She writes picture books as well. Her first published picture book, Stacy Had a Little Sister, is still being used as bibliotherapy with children who have had siblings die of S.I.D.S.

Her other picture books were published under the pen name -- C.W. Bowie. She and two friends wrote them together and then combined their names to come up with C.W. Bowie. She's the "W" part of the name.

Her blog at wendieold.blogspot.com is called Wendie's Wanderings and it does exactly that. It rambles on about the writing life, happenings at her library (September is Spider Month, yikes!), book reviews, her grandchildren, and her many adventures while traveling and promoting her books.