I enjoyed this book due to many factors, but the main one being the quotes at the bottom of the page. Students are likely to walk away from this book remembering one of them as well as the things he had accomplished. The illustrations throughout are tastefully realistic. With that being said, they may now be considered out of date to some. ( )

Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706, the son of a candle maker. He was sent to school but had to leave his education at an early age because his father could not afford it and needed Benjamin home to help with the family and business. When he was 12 years old, his father made an agreement with his brother that in return for 10 pounds and 9 years of work, his brother James would give him room and board and teach him as a printing apprentice. One thing I learned that absolutely amazed me was that Benjamin wasn't able to put his own work in the newspaper his brother owned and printed. So he assumed the writing name of Mrs. Silence DoGood and would submit letters to the paper that were published. As Benjamin grew up, he made a list of virtues he thought every good man should have. There were 13 virtues and his favorites to follow were industry (working hard), and frugality. When he was 24, he finally opened his own Newspaper printing called the Pennsylvania Gazette. He printed ideas like how to improve his country with paved roads, firefighters, lighted streets, and even a city hospital. In1751 he conducted his famous electricity experiment with a key tied to the end of a kite. With that discovery, he invented lightening rods, which grounded the lightening and stopped house fires during lightening strikes. Next, he went on to become on of our Founding Fathers, helping to found our notions of liberty and fortune. He was anti-slavery which I was surprised to learn. He was ahead of his time with ideas on freedom and equality. He died in 1790. ( )

In The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin by Cheryl Harness, one learns of Benjamin Franklin’s entire life. From his birth on January 17, 1706, as Josiah Franklin’s 10th son, to his death on April 17, 1790 one reads of all of the interesting aspects of his life. As a child he loved reading, and he began inventing from an early age. Benjamin apprenticed as a printer, where he continued to read. He wrote letters to the paper under the name Mrs. Silence Dogood and eventually published Poor Richard’s Almanack. He became the publisher and editor of the Pennsylvania Gazette. By 1736 he started the Philadelphia fire department and later became the Philadelphia postmaster. He developed a plan to unite the Colonies and went to England for the Pennsylvania Assembly. He eventually became a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention and died in Philadelphia in 1790. Cheryl Harness’ bibliography is listed in paragraph form and is somewhat difficult to read. There is a timeline of Franklin’s life, which ties in other important events. This is beneficial. The illustrations add to the story. This book is a wonderful book to read to students about the life of Franklin and aspects of his personal life. It could easily be used in a “heroes” unit for upper elementary students. ( )

I did not like this book for the fact that there is way too much going on in it. A 6 year old would not be able to sit through this. It is a very long book, as well as has quotes from Ben Franklin's writings on every page. The illustrations are very descriptive and detailed. I feel as if there is a lot going on and children would not be able to follow with the teacher.

The main idea of the story is to learn about Benjamin Franklin and how he grew up from a little boy to an older man. ( )

This book starts with important historical facts about Benjamin Franklin. The story showcases the events of his life. They keep the story line flowing, however they break down the different events. Such as his apprenticeship as a printer, running away, his travels all over the world, owning his own shop, Poor Richards Almanac, his exploration into electricity and the Revolutionary War. They also focused on the Declaration of Independence and how it became the important historical document it is today. The book ends with a very detailed time line with years and specific events.

This is a well written and illustrated book with a great event detail. The events are broken down and individually allowing comprehension before moving on. I really enjoy the timeline in the back; it helps really put the events to the date.

1. This could be used as an introduction to Benjamin Franklin. You could have the children do a fill in the blank timeline from the story.
2. This could be used as an introduction to the Declaration of Independence. They could do an essay on how they would have done the declaration differently.