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Amazing Mr. Franklin, the: Or the Boy Who Read Everything
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 public library in America?
Ben Franklin was always a “bookish” boy. The first book he read was the Bible at age five, and then he read 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, but his family needed him to work. Despite this, 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.
Ruth Ashby’s fast-paced biography takes young readers through Franklin’s life from his spirited, rebellious youth through his successful career as an inventor and politician and finally to the last years of his life, surrounded by his personal collection of books.
Ben Franklin was always a “bookish” boy. The first book he read was the Bible at age five, and then he read 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, but his family needed him to work. Despite this, 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.
Ruth Ashby’s fast-paced biography takes young readers through Franklin’s life from his spirited, rebellious youth through his successful career as an inventor and politician and finally to the last years of his life, surrounded by his personal collection of books.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 17, 2017
Ben was a curious-minded bright young boy of a candle maker. Some of the first books he read inspired him to show that people could improve themselves through their own efforts. His flair for independent thinking made him device plans so he could read more. What startled me when I was reading about him was the fact that he stopped eating meat so he could save money for books.
Through reading, he also developed an interest in writing and initially wrote poems. He honed his writing when he temporarily became an editor for his brother's newspaper. There was no looking back after that.
Some worthy good quotes from the book:
-Reading encourages people to think for themselves.
-Better educated men would fight to protect their rights.
-Poor Richard was a "philomath", or lover of learning.
-Poor Richard's proverbs and sayings
1.Fish and visitors stink in three days
2.Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.
3.He that lies with dogs shall rise up with fleas.
4.Haste makes waste
5.No gains without pains
6.God helps those that help themselves
7.Little strokes fell great oaks
8.Great talkers, little doers
9.Don't throw stones if your own windows are made of glass
10.A cat in gloves catches no mice
11.For want of a nail the shoe is lost; for want of a shoe the horse is lost; for want of a horse the rider is lost.
12.Early to bed and early to ride, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
13.If you would not be forgotten,
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing.
Ben wished to serve others freely and generously through his inventions and refused to patent them. Talk about being selfless- these were the forefathers in science. Scientists nowadays are more like businessmen and less like scientists. What a pity!
This man called Ben invented the lightning rod, put it on his own house where he had his Library Company, so that the books would be safe during storms. So intense was his love for books. The Library Company later became the first library of the first government of the future United States. Franklin who had never gone to college was awarded a doctorate and addressed as Dr Franklin by scholars for his scholarly experiments. His success could be attributed to his hunger for knowledge. He said, "the great aim and end of all learning is to serve mankind, one's country, friends, and family". He started the Pennsylvania Academy, with an aim to provide access to ambitious young men who didn't have his special intelligence and drive go to college. This later became the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
In the later part of his life, Ben got involved in achieving independence to America from the British. He was present when the Treaty of Paris was signed to come to settlement with the British. He was one of the founding forefathers of the future United States. He was one of the oldest persons present at the time the American constitution was being written and provided good counsel to the members involved with drafting the constitution. He edited a large part of it too. Even during his final years, not willing to waste a moment, Ben read in the bath. Books were his greatest enjoyment. He remains in our hearts to this day, as "The Boy who read everything".
Through reading, he also developed an interest in writing and initially wrote poems. He honed his writing when he temporarily became an editor for his brother's newspaper. There was no looking back after that.
Some worthy good quotes from the book:
-Reading encourages people to think for themselves.
-Better educated men would fight to protect their rights.
-Poor Richard was a "philomath", or lover of learning.
-Poor Richard's proverbs and sayings
1.Fish and visitors stink in three days
2.Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.
3.He that lies with dogs shall rise up with fleas.
4.Haste makes waste
5.No gains without pains
6.God helps those that help themselves
7.Little strokes fell great oaks
8.Great talkers, little doers
9.Don't throw stones if your own windows are made of glass
10.A cat in gloves catches no mice
11.For want of a nail the shoe is lost; for want of a shoe the horse is lost; for want of a horse the rider is lost.
12.Early to bed and early to ride, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
13.If you would not be forgotten,
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing.
Ben wished to serve others freely and generously through his inventions and refused to patent them. Talk about being selfless- these were the forefathers in science. Scientists nowadays are more like businessmen and less like scientists. What a pity!
This man called Ben invented the lightning rod, put it on his own house where he had his Library Company, so that the books would be safe during storms. So intense was his love for books. The Library Company later became the first library of the first government of the future United States. Franklin who had never gone to college was awarded a doctorate and addressed as Dr Franklin by scholars for his scholarly experiments. His success could be attributed to his hunger for knowledge. He said, "the great aim and end of all learning is to serve mankind, one's country, friends, and family". He started the Pennsylvania Academy, with an aim to provide access to ambitious young men who didn't have his special intelligence and drive go to college. This later became the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
In the later part of his life, Ben got involved in achieving independence to America from the British. He was present when the Treaty of Paris was signed to come to settlement with the British. He was one of the founding forefathers of the future United States. He was one of the oldest persons present at the time the American constitution was being written and provided good counsel to the members involved with drafting the constitution. He edited a large part of it too. Even during his final years, not willing to waste a moment, Ben read in the bath. Books were his greatest enjoyment. He remains in our hearts to this day, as "The Boy who read everything".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2019
This is a re-print of a valuable book first published in 2004. As part of a classroom reading list, it will bring up innumerable topics for further exploration by students. As independent reading, it’s purely fascinating. Important principles are presented throughout.
November 28, 2012
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
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.
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
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.
October 1, 2013
I enjoyed Ashby's chatty writing style. She provides plenty of context for young readers, so they will be able to understand where Franklin falls in American history and why he is important. She makes him interesting from the start, and without any annoying fictionalized dialogue. There is a nice summative section in the back that details Franklin's major contributions to science and our national philosophy.
Favorite tidbit: Franklin became a vegetarian so that he would have more money available to purchase books!
Favorite tidbit: Franklin became a vegetarian so that he would have more money available to purchase books!
February 19, 2008
This was an awesome book and it really inspired me. It has alot of lessons that were really great.
January 28, 2013
This does a great job showing how cool Franklin was. Now if only my daughter would read it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews