Synopses & Reviews
Benjamin Franklin was a 17-year-old runaway when he arrived in Philadelphia in 1723. Yet within days hed found a job at a local print shop, met the woman he would eventually marry, and even attracted the attention of Pennsylvanias governor. A decade later, he became a colonial celebrity with the publication of Poor Richard: An Almanack and would go on to become one of Americas most distinguished Founding Fathers. Franklin established the colonies first lending library, volunteer fire company, and postal service, and was a leading expert in the study of electricity. He represented the Pennsylvania colony in London but returned to help draft the Declaration of Independence. The new nation then named him Minister to France, where he helped secure financial and military aide for the breakaway republic.Author Brandon Marie Miller captures the essence of this exceptional individual through both his original writings and hands-on activities from the era. Readers will design and print an almanac cover, play a simple glass armonica (a Franklin invention), experiment with static electricity, build a barometer, and more. The text also includes a time line, glossary, Web and travel resources, and reading list for further study.
Review
"This smart and delightful book captures the magic of Benjamin Franklin and shows why his life is so inspiring. Above all, it celebrates his creativity, which was the source of his genius." —Walter Isaacson, author, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Review
"[A] creative and well written book." —Through the Looking Glass
Review
and#8220;A first choice among the in-print biographies of Anne Frank for younger readers, and should lead its readers to read her Diary.and#8221;and#8212;School Library Journaland#160;and#160;
Review
and#8220;Skillfully written. A worthy introduction.and#8221;and#8212;Booklist Synopsis
Capturing the essence of this exceptional individual through his original writings and hands-on activities from his era, this resource tells the rich story of one of America's most celebrated Founding Fathers. Beginning with his time as a young printer, this engaging narrative details how Benjamin Franklin became a celebrity with the publication of Poor Richard: An Almanack and how he founded the colonies' first lending library, volunteer fire company, and postal service. Additionally, his life in science is also highlighted, from his 1751 book Experiments and Observations on Electricity to his proof a year later that lightning was an electrical discharge. Activities range from designing and printing an almanac cover and playing a simple glass armonica (a Franklin invention) to experimenting with static electricity and building a barometer. The text also features a time line, glossary, Web and travel resources, and reading list for further study.
Synopsis
Miller captures the essence of this exceptional individual through both his original writings and hands-on activities from the era. Readers can design and print an almanac cover, play a simple glass armonica (a Franklin invention), and experiment with static electricity. Illustrations.
Synopsis
For ages 8 and up
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Anne Frank loved to play tennis and swim. She enjoyed being with her friends in school and couldnand#8217;t resist chattering during class. But, tragically, Anne was growing up in Holland during the Second World War, when all European Jews lived in grave danger. When Dutch Jews were forced to leave their homes, Anne and her family found a hiding place.
Anne kept a diary in which she described the two years of their secret life. After the war ended, the diary was found and published. Her innocent account of the horrors of war was widely read, and it touched readers all over the world. This biography tells about Anneand#8217;s family and their lives before the Second World War, the Nazi persecution of Jews, and Anneand#8217;s years in hiding.
Johanna Hurwitzand#8217;s readable, direct style enables young readers to share Anneand#8217;s childhood dreams and to feel the tension of the years that followed. The realistic black-and-white drawings by Vera Rosenberry bring Anne Frank even closer to readersand#8217; hearts.
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Synopsis
Using a host of primary sources, author Brandon Marie Miller recounts the roles, hardships, and daily lives of Native American, European, and African women in 17th- and 18th-century colonial America. Hard work proved a constant for most women—they ensured their family’s survival through their skills while others sold their labor or lived in bondage as indentured servants and slaves.
Even in this world defined entirely by men, a world where no one thought it important to record a female’s thoughts, women found ways to step forth. Elizabeth Ashbridge survived an abusive indenture to become a Quaker preacher. Anne Bradstreet penned epic poetry while raising eight children in the wilderness. Anne Hutchinson went toe-to-toe with Puritan authorities. Margaret Hardenbroeck Philipse built a trade empire in New Amsterdam. Martha Corey lost her life in the vortex of Salem’s witch hunt. And Eve, a Virginia slave, twice ran away to freedom. With strength, courage, resilience, and resourcefulness, these women and many others played a vital role in the mosaic of life in colonial America.
About the Author
Johanna Hurwitz is the author of
Leonard Bernstein: A Passion for Music, as well as many books of fiction for young readers. Her book
The Hot and Cold Summer won the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award. Vera Rosenberry is the author and illustrator of several childrenand#8217;s books, including
When Vera Was Sick,
Vera Goes to the Dentist,
Vera Rides a Bike, and
Veraand#8217;s New School.