Benjamin Franklin is probably 'America's Favorite Founding Father,' but how did he get there? David Adler draws a detailed and authentic portrait of this great man, illustrated with prints and maps from Franklin's time. When he was young, he signed his name 'B. Franklin, Printer' - that is how he most identified himself. You will learn that, not only was Franklin an inquiring scientist, inventor and statesman, but he also had a wry sense of humor, often writing sly letters to his own newspaper under a false name. You will also learn about his very interesting habits, like taking 'air baths' every day. As an original 'nerd,' he may sound like someone you know.

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 2/18/2011

ISBN-10: 0823416755

ISBN-13: 9780823416752

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Bass Reeves was born as a slave in the early 1840's and was well-known as a sharp-witted and good-natured youngster. But everything changed one night when Bass struck his owner during a card game. For a slave, that meant certain death. So under the cover of nightfall, Bass took off for the Indian Territories and lived with the Indians until news reached Bass that the Civil War was over and the slaves had become free. Because of his strong sense of right and wrong, he became well-known in the Wild West. When Judge Isaac Parker tried to bring law and order to the lawless Indian Territories, he chose Bass to be a deputy U.S. Marshall. Bass would quickly prove a smart choice. For three decades, Bass was the most feared and respected lawman in the territories. He made more than 3,000 arrests, and though he was a crack shot and a quick draw, he only killed fourteen men in the line of duty.

Awards nominated: Bluestem Award Nominee 2012

Reviewed by: bklyczek

Date read: 6/27/2011

ISBN-10: 0822567644

ISBN-13: 9780822567646

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This book on Barack Obama includes some interesting facts about our new President. As a child, Barack was called Barry. When he was 6, Barack lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, and had a tailless ape named Tata. Read this book, and you will learn more interesting things about our 44th President. This book is one of the books in the African-American Heroes series. A few other books in this series are about Wynton Marsalis, Muhammad Ali, Mae Jemison, Oprah Winfrey, and Colin Powell.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0766028933

ISBN-13: 9780766028937

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Living in a country is like being part of a big, special club. You are a member of that club every day. If your club is going to be a success, every member has to help. Being a good citizen means you are helping your country be the best it can be.

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 12/29/2011

ISBN-10: 1404810501

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'Bell and the Science of the Telephone' written by Brian Williams and uniquely illustrated by David Antram, makes a concept as complex as the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell, interesting and understandable. This book is one in the series called 'The Explosion Zone' which highlights an important scientist along with his/her discovery. This series of books takes major advancements in science or chemistry and explains them in a unique and lively style. It provides the reader with a clear and sequential understanding of a scientific principal and how the science evolved. This is an excellent book and series for the budding scientist.

Similar authors: Brian Williams

Similar books: Curie and the Science of Radioactivity by Ian Graham; Faraday, Pioneer of Electricity by Brian Williams; Los hermanos Wright y la ciencia de la aviacion by Ian Graham

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/3/2010

ISBN-10: 0764159720

ISBN-13: 9780764159725

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