What's The Big Idea, Ben Franklin? (Paperstar) (Paperback)

by Jean Fritz (Author), Margot Tomes (Illustrator) "1706 Boston was so new that its streets were still being named..." (more)
Key Phrases: Benjamin Franklin, Leather Apron

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A brief biography of the eighteenth-century printer, inventor, and statesman who played an influential role in the early history of the United States.

About the Author
Considered the top biographer writing for young people, Jean Fritz grew up in China. She was awarded a National Humanities Medal in 2003 and received a Newbery Honor for Homesick: My Own Story. David Small was awarded the 2000 Caldecott Medal for So You Want to be President?. He lives in Mendon, Michigan.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698113721
• ISBN-13: 978-0698113725
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Inventions & Inventors
  #3 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( T ) > Tomes, Margot
  #4 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Political

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humor and an anecdotal style combine to share this Am. hero., September 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? (Hardcover)

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? By Jean Fritz. Illustrated by Margot Tomes. Coward- McCann, Inc., 1976. 47 pages.

Did you know that Ben Franklin had a hunch that a kite could act as a sail if one held it while swimming and another that ants could communicate with each other? But, as Newbery Honor Award winner and highly regarded biographer Jean Fritz points out, "A Big Idea . . . meant little to Ben Franklin unless he could put it to everyday use." Capitalizing on reader's prior knowledge while wetting young appetites with a hint of what's to come, Fritz presents a non-fictionalized Franklin. How "lucky" it was that Franklin's street had a name, states Fritz, because "people like to know where and when famous men are born." Fritz's signature humor and anecdotal style abound, respecting her audience's intelligence. She writes, "England was treating America as if it were a country of apprentices." Her humor-encrusted comparisons illuminate abstract concepts, making this book a leading contender for a read aloud to third and fourth graders or for the fifth or sixth grader who craves a challenging but accessible read. Independent young minds must distinguish truths "sacred and undeniable" by Jefferson's pen from "self evident" ones with Franklin's correction. Tomes' illustrations help the reader visualize technical wording. Frustrating, would be Franklin's flexible, fishy swimming positions without Tomes' guidance. As a special treat, Franklin's personal handwriting acts as explanatory captions adjacent to pictures of his inventions. As usual, Fritz provides a child-centered notes page that includes supplementary information and points out accounts that disagree as she presents this delightful hero of American Independence.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to keep interest!, February 18, 2003

By	"katieann00" (Chino, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I was so impressed with the descriptive wording of this book. I'm not a normal biography reader, but this worked perfectly for my 3rd graders. It held there interest, made them laugh, and actually taught them something! A great read for all ages.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Was there an editor, or at least a proofreader?, July 28, 2008

By	Baarbarian (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

As a child I loved this book and I recently picked it up for nostalgia's sake. While I still like the illustrations and the story itself, I can't help but notice the frequency of poor grammar and clunky sentence structure. Where were the editors and proofreaders? How did this book make it to shelves without corrections? Anyway, it's still enjoyable... if a bit sloppy.