Frank Murphy (4)

I really enjoyed this book, Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares by Frank Murphy, for two reasons. First, the organization of the story was very well thought out. The story started by providing background information on Ben Franklin beginning when he was just seven years old and continued through his adulthood. The story shared Ben's inventions as he got older. Half way through the story when Ben was asked to be the clerk in the assembly, the author shared what he believed Ben did when he was show more bored during the meetings. The author described how Ben went about creating the Magic Square. Finally, the book ended with a step-by-step guide of how the reader can make their own Magic Square. The author also put difficult words in italics and provided the reader with the definition to ensure they would understand what was occurring. Second, I am glad the author showed that not everything Ben created was successful and that it is okay to make mistakes. For example, Ben created a chair with a fan on top, unfortunately it ended up hitting Ben in the head every time he sat down, so this invention was never created. Also, when Ben was thinking of how to create the Magic Square the reader can look at the illustrations and see a bunch of paper crumpled on the floor depicting times he was unsuccessful. This story teaches the readers that they should share their ideas as it could be used to create a new item. It is important for readers to think outside the box and be unique. Students can also learn from Ben Franklin that success will not come without some failure. show less

A funny, entertaining introduction to Ben Franklin and his many inventions, including the story of how he created the "magic square." A magic square is a box of nine numbers arranged so that any line of three numbers adds up to the same number, including on the diagonal!

Starting in childhood, Thomas Alva Edison was full of curiosity (how did eggs hatch?) and always inventing (what science experiments could he do in the basement?). His interest in telegraphs helped him invent a transmitter to improve telephone communication, and his fascination with electricity led to the invention of the lightbulb--and networks of devices to send electricity throughout New York City. More than 1,000 of Edison's inventions, including the movie camera, movie projector, copy show more machine, and phonograph, have made our world a safer, brighter, and better place. show less

I thought this book was pretty good. It was well written with interesting facts about Ben Franklin's life and his inventions. After the brief synopsis of his life the book went on to tell the story of how he came up with the magic squares. It was also great, because it gave definitions to words that a reader might not know. For example, on page 20 the word clerk is brought up and because it might not be a well known word the book briefly defines it. The book also becomes interactive at the show more end when it tells the reader how to make their own magic square! show less