Benjamin Franklin (First Biography)

I found this book to be a little wordy, but I always enjoy reading books about Ben Franklin, so I enjoyed it.

Benjamin Franklin by David Edler is an adequate beginning biography for a young child. It gives important information about the life of Ben Franklin and enough details about the life of Franklin to hold the interest of the reader. However, upon entering the book, it appears dated. The sentences are complex and wordy which may intimidate the young reader. Although there are drawings to break up the words, they are pen and ink black and white depictions. There is no color throughout the book, which can make it seem endless to the young reader. It is a chapter book so children will feel that they have accomplished a feat upon completion of the story. The book begins with a timeline titled Important Dates and a Contents section, and ends show more with an Index. The story is easy to read and is written in narrative form. Teaching ideas include biography, inventors, statesmen, early American history. I would not recommend this book for anyone younger than third grade. show less

Benjamin Franklin, considered one of the fathers of this great country, had an incredible journey called life. This book grazes over his incredible journey of how and what he accomplished in his life. A great book for studying American history leaders and writing a research report on what he contributed to our life and country.

David A. Adler wrote the book Benjamin Franklin Printer, Inventor, Statesman A First Biography. Adler graduated from with a BA from Queens College in 1968. He later received his MBA from New York University. He is married and has several children. The book has several mini stories about Benjamin Franklin and his life. The book discusses his life as an inventor, a printer, and a statesman. At the beginning of the book the beginning of Franklin’s life as a young intelligent boy is discussed. Benjamin had to teach himself after he was removed from school at the young age of ten. The book discusses struggles that Franklin had as a man living when he did. I like how the book does not focus on one particular aspect of Benjamin Franklin’s show more life. A few of Franklin’s inventions that the book mentions are bifocals, a modern day stepladder, and a harmonica. I also like how it included the part about Franklin and his wife spending their money wisely. This shows that even though Franklin is very famous today he was not always famous nor was he always rich. I also like how the book includes all aspects of Franklin’s life. It is important that students know who invented the items that they use every day. show less