"The Amazing Mr. Franklin or The Boy Who Read Everything" by Ruth Ashby

ISBN: 978-1-56145-306-1
Hardcover $12.95

About the book:  Everyone knows Benjamin Franklin was an important statesman, inventor, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. But did you know he started the first library in America for the public good?

Ben Franklin was always a "bookish" boy. He was born in 1706, the seventh of ten children of a candlemaker. The first book he read was the Bible at age five, and then every printed word in his father's small home library. Ben wanted to read more, but books were expensive. He wanted to go to school and learn more, but his family needed him to work. Ben Franklin had lots of ideas about how to turn his love of reading and learning into something more. First he worked as a printer's apprentice, then he set up his own printing business. Later he became the first bookseller in Philadelphia, started a newspaper, published Poor Richard's Almanac, and in 1731, with the help of his friends, organized the first subscription lending library, the Library Company.

Review:    Ruth Ashby writes a delightful account of the life of Ben Franklin.  She weaves the events of his early life into the details of his growing up and becoming an adult that would influence the world.  Her style is easy to read and she does a superb job of incorporating the historical information pertinent to the time. 

I particularly like the part at the end of the book that is set up to focus on the accomplishments of Mr. Franklin through the different areas that he pursued. Interesting anecdotal stories fill the pages and keep the story interesting and compelling to read.  Young readers will learn history. (reviewed by C.Delorge) 

 For grades 4 - 5th (ages 7-10). Pages - 144. Categories:

• History
• Nonfiction
• Biography and Memoir
• Early Reader

Author:  Ruth Ashby is the award-winning author of dozens of nonfiction and fiction books for juvenile readers. She lives in New York.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of The Amazing Mr. Franklin was provided by the Peachtree Publishers on behalf of the author to facilitate an honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer and a positive review was not required.