Nonfiction Monday: Becoming Ben Franklin (Russell Freedman)

Summary

Benjamin Franklin is a remarkable man.  Raised in humble circumstances, he left home to far surpass his parents' station in life.  He is the epitome of a man who pulled himself up by his boot straps—the quintessential American.  Not only was he insatiably curious, but he used it to create useful items, such as a lightening rod, the Franklin stove, and bifocal glasses.  His contributions to society went beyond material things to include a library, a university, a fire company, and a philosophical society.  Anyone would be proud to have so many accomplishments!  Yet, his do not stop there.

His most important role was as a founding father of this great country.  Interestingly, Franklin wished to remain loyal to England for much of his life.  It was not until he spent many years in England working as an ambassador that he realized that the colonies had to declare their independence.  He also spent a decade in France securing their assistance during the war and their help in recognizing the country as independent.  Along with John Adams and John Jay, he eventually negotiated and secured peace with England.  He was involved in the composition of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  He is the Forrest Gump of America’s founding—somehow he is in the middle of all the significant events. 

The struggles and joys of Franklin’s personal life are also highlighted.  While he was primarily loved by a wide circle of people spanning two continents, he had a falling out with his son, a run in with English parliament, and a personal failure running against an opponent.  

All of these areas humanized Franklin beyond all the fanfare of his community and political persona.    

Evaluation

The first biography I remember ever reading is Lincoln:  A Photobiography by Russell Freedman.  I was completely enthralled in it.   I did not think much of the writing at the time (it was long, long ago before I really paid attention to such things).  I gave more credit to the subject.  I mean, who doesn’t find Lincoln fascinating? However, I re-read the book a few years ago.  It was then that I realized what a master story teller Freedman is. 

I picked up Becoming Ben Franklin:  How a Candle-Maker’s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty because it was written by Freedman.  I knew he was a “founding father” in a vague sense.  I honestly did not know much else about Ben Franklin outside of the kite story and his almanac.  

I was immediately engage in Freedman's narrative of Franklin’s life.  The story was even more thrilling because his life story parallels the founding of our country. Freedman does a masterful job intertwining Franklin’s personal story with historical events and observations from his contemporaries.  The narrative gives a strong sense of his strengths and weaknesses as person.   On one hand he was passionate, personable, and persuasive.  However, he could also be prideful and resentful. 

The layout of the book is kid-friendly.  Nearly every page has a photograph illustrating a person or event from the narrative.  The pictures break up the text, making the pages and chapters less daunting for reluctant readers.  Second, the pictures also provide essential visuals for youngsters to get a sense of what life looked like 200 years ago—from the dress, to the wigs, to the quill pens.  The book is broken down into short chapters ranging from 9 to 13 pages, each about a different phase in Franklin’s life.  This attribute makes it ideal for teachers who want to focus on a specific area and for children who feel more comfortable reading in shorter increments. 

Overall, I highly recommend Becoming Ben Franklin:  How a Candle-Maker’s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty for ages 8 and up.  The book is sure to engage young and mature readers with its vibrant content and engaging text. 

Teaching Opportunities

• Character Education:  discuss the positive attributes Franklin embodied and how it helped him succeed
• History:  connect to curriculum related to and/or explore more about the Revolutionary War, Boston Tea Party, Declaration of Independence, and the American Constitution
• Compare/Contrast:  compare Franklin to a current political “hero” or important figure
• Literature/Biography:  read about other founding fathers, such as John Adams, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington
• Science:  explore the developments in electricity
• Social Studies: learn more about the art of diplomacy; brainstorm ways to use the principles in everyday life

Check out other Nonfiction Monday posts HERE. 

Picture Book (History): John, Paul, George, & Ben (by Lane Smith)

Summary of John,Paul, George, & Ben (by Lane Smith):  

Author Lane Smith envisions what type of youngsters our founding fathers might have been—John (Hancock), Paul (Revere), George (Washington), Ben (Franklin), & Tom (Jefferson).   Focusing on one key aspect of each person, Smith depicts a fictional childhood incident.  For instances, Paul Revere is portrayed as a noisy lad who spends hours ringing the church bells in the belfry tower.   He also loves to yell things out—that some people might be embarrassed by (think “great, big, extra-large underwear”).    Many years later, his “talent” plays a significant role in the American Revolution.   Also, Lane takes an amusing poke at the story commonly associated with George Washington—the chopping of the cherry tree.   In this version, honest George does much more than cut down a cherry tree.  He also takes out an entire apple orchard, levels the barn, and makes kindling of his father’s carriage.    Each character’s childhood is treated similarly.   Lane pulls everything together in the end by providing a brief summary of the contribution each man did make in his real life.  Finally, the book is rounded out with a fun and witty True and False section where the record is set straight on the information in the book.

Evaluation: 

I am a fan of Lane Smith’s picture books.  He is always creative, entertaining, and even, a bit irrelevant.   Smith contributes a lot of the reshaping and rethinking of what a picture book and a story should be.  John, Paul, George, & Ben is no exception to his unique fingerprint on the world of children’s literature.  Anyone can write “the facts” about a founding father or other famous individual.  Smith has crafted a fictional narrative, but children will no doubt remember some genuine significant details about the figures.  For example, we don’t know if Ben Franklin quoted witty sayings as a child.  Children will likely remember that he is famous for them as an adult though.  The illustrations, also by Lane Smith, are wonderful.  They have a grainy, crackled texture and sepia coloring to give an old-fashioned feel.  Conveying lots of emotion and energy, the pictures compliment and expand the text well.   I highly recommend John,Paul, George, & Ben for ages 7 and up. 

Teaching Opportunities:

• History:  it is a perfect complement to a study of the American Revolution
• Writing:  pick a well-known figure and 1-2 predominate facts about him/her; write a story about their childhood using exaggeration and the predominate fact(s)
• Critical Thinking:  evaluate and discuss what parts of the story are facts and which are fiction
• Research:  research and report 5 facts on one of the figures from the book
• Literary Comparison:  read another picture book on the founding fathers; compare/contrast them based on illustrations, facts, story telling, and so forth