I Am Benjamin Franklin written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos is a wonderful addition to the highly successful and thoughtfully produced Ordinary People Change the World Series.
It is based on Franklin’s determination to solve problems and to be the best possible person that he could be. He grew up in a huge family in Boston, learned the newspaper trade from an older brother and then moved to Philadelphia where he started his own paper. He continued to be serious about being a person who told the truth, worked hard and never talked badly about others.
Young readers will enjoy Franklin speaking directly to them about his life’s work based on seeing problems and solving them. Young readers will also enjoy the citizens of the day declaring their astonishment about Franklin’s inventions including the lightening rod and bifocals as well as his ability to write Poor Richard’s Almanack, a calendar full of weather forecasts, advice and wisdoms such as “Haste Makes Waste.”
The facial expressions throughout are visuals delights. A double spread illustration showing Franklin at the Second Continental Congress along with a short but determined George Washington, an always hard- working John Hancock, a conversational Thomas Jefferson and a very pensive John Adams is engaging.
The final pages contain photographs and a timeline that runs from Franklin’s birth in 1706 to his death in 1790 as well as the date of 1928 when he became the face on the U.S. $100 bill.
I Am Benjamin Franklin written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos is perfect for children 5-8 years of age (Dial Books for Young Readers /an imprint of Penguin Random House, 2020).
Activity Questions for I AM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Benjamin Franklin says in this book that he was determined to live his life by a number of rules one of which was to never speak badly of anyone. Have you ever spoken badly of anyone including a classmate? Why? Did you apologize? Has anyone spoken badly of you? Was it hurtful? Did they ever apologize? Think about this and make yourself a rule that you will not participate in ugly words.
Take a look at the illustration where the townspeople are reading Poor Richard’s Almanack. Read aloud the five wisdoms that are featured here. Which one is your favorite? Why? Please draw a picture of your favorite “saying” in action! Have fun.
How did Franklin’s work impact the work of four other inventors, namely, Nekola Tesla, Lewis Latimer, Edith Clarke and Thomas Edison? Take a look at the illustrator’s drawing of them. What do the three men have in their hands? Older kids may want to go online and read about each of these interesting people. And by the way, who is that fellow in the red shirt standing behind Lewis Latimer? Readers of the Ordinary People Change the World series will know. Read the book jacket for a clue.
