Make Way for Sam Houston

by Jean Fritz

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico.

"Lively, readable, and solidly researched, this is the kind of biography every child needs." — Booklist , starred review

"Jean Fritz has done it again. Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person." — School Library Journal , starred review

"Young readers will find the book fast-paced and fact-packed." —  The New York Times Book Review

Jean Fritz lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

109 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 1986

About the author

Jean Guttery Fritz was an American children's writer best known for American biography and history. She won the Children's Legacy Literature Award for her career contribution to American children's literature in 1986. She turned 100 in November 2015 and died in May 2017 at the age of 101.

Reviews

[Adeena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Make Way For Sam Houston by Jean Fritz is a biography that covers the entire life of Sam Houston in an easily understandable way. This book describes the important events of Sam Houston’s life in a story-like manner, such as the time he won the Battle of San Jacinto or when he become the president of Texas. Although Sam Houston went from the boy who constantly avoided responsibilities to the man who became the first president of Texas, he has always maintained his belief to not take orders from anyone. There are also many problems that arise during Sam Houston’s life, such as when he had to make treaties and promises with the Native Americans or when he had to deal with his political enemies. Originally, I thought this book would just be filled with facts written in a chronological order. Now, I realise that this book is for anyone who wants to learn some American history from a very unique perspective. It is also for people are interested in learn some US history in a slightly more informal way. I would say this book is a 2/5 because while it is historical and somewhat interesting, I felt like this book was really biased towards Sam Houston rather than just being an impartial and factual biography.

[Maria Nesmith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Make Way for Sam Houston is Jean Fritz’s biographical look at the life of Houston, the famous politician and statesman. The book gives a general overview of Houston’s life, from his birth in 1793 to his death seventy years later. the book gives more of an overall look at Houston’s career and character and the effects that he had on history.

i do not think this book would be interesting to young readers, i did not find him interesting at all. the only way i think children would find this book interesting was if they were learning about him in history class. im not sure if children would relate to him. he might relate to the students who are interested in history. All the information i know was in the book and was accurate. the book was not very engaging and i found it kind of boring. i found it hard to even finish it.

i honestly did not like this book, i found it very boring. I never really liked history class and did not think it was interesting. I would not use this book in my classroom because if i found it boring im sure children would too.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Texas history. I am revisiting this book with my granddaughters. Sam Houston was such a colorful character and had such an interesting life. I think it is good to understand that our "heros" had strengths and problems. (Houston had a drinking problem.) We can appreciate them for their strengths and contributions but learn from their problems. Then maybe we can then do that with the people around us day to day.

[Taylor Lundquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book I read for my December book was Make way for Sam Houston by Jean fritz. This is a non-fiction book and it took place in the 1800s. The main character is Sam Houston. This book is about some of Sam's life. How he fought in the war and what had happened during it. Also some of the adventures he went on and being involved with all sorts of things. I gave this book 3 out of 5 because it was a hard book, I don't really prefer non-fiction books and it didn't really interest me.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because of the excitment of Sam Houston's life. Jean Fritz did a nice job msking the novel factual, historically acurate, humorous, and colorful. I'm acctually going to do my NHD project on Sam Houston beacuse he was very important to Texas history.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written historical fiction. This would be a good read for any Texas history class or as a supplement to American history. It gives another insight as to how the southerners were torn over secession and how politics can be a fickle wife.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

PopSugar Challenge Notes
** i read this because it was supposed to be a book set in my hometown and i figured hey...my city's founder should count. but he spent 2 lines in houston so. ** REDACTED**

..............
i'm sorry

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Fritz is implying that Sam Houston was gay. Read it and tell me what you think.

[Ashlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

i am just reading it for school, its boring.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little book-not too short or too long. Enjoyable to read.

[K Comeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed reading this historical fiction as part of our study of Texas state history. There are many important dates and events that are covered. The politics of the day are also covered. The book presents Sam Houston in a very colorful and memorable way. I imagine him to truly be larger than life!

Caution: I do recommend it as a read aloud by the teacher so you can edit some of the more shocking events. There is a rival candidate that kills himself and several mentions of drunkenness by Sam Houston. They could be read aloud by the teacher in a less shocking way.

[Shelley Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another history reader for my class next year. I wouldn't say it's the most well-written book I've ever read, but it certainly the most fast-paced book I've ever read. It was easy to understand and did help me sympathize with Sam Houston a bit. There can be no day-dreaming allowed when reading this book. If don't pay attention for a paragraph or two, you might miss his time in law school and his election as governor.

I think the kids might like it. We will see.

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about Sam Houston. I read it aloud to most of our family. One of our teens said that she learned more about history from this book than from her history textbook. Most of the history is accurate, excepting a few details. In the author's defense, it would be very difficult to depict the complicated history of our nation and the state of Texas in a 102 page book. I did change or omit words and/or sentences that were inappropriate for our youngest kids (6, 8, 10, 12).

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep read for children about the very interesting Sam Houston who arrived in Texas just in time to make history. He not only helped win the war for Texas Independence by capturing Santa Anna, he also became President of the new Republic, and later, Governor. My kids and I read this for our homeschool Dialectic history studies.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written biography. Great read aloud for older kids. Learned a lot about Texas. Sam Houston was kind of insufferable. Can't say I walk away thinking highly of him, but how crazy is it that Texas was an independent country at one point.

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book for education. I wouldn’t read it outside of school.

[Elaine Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids found this a bit boring but it did the job.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sam Houston. From the book, it seems like he and Theodore Roosevelt were cut from the same cloth. Both were big personality, active men who dedicated themselves to improved conditions for others and who hungered to be the center of attention.

[Bon Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun. I enjoyed reading about Sam Houston's life and how he became so famous.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This interesting biography explores Sam Houston's adventures from his boyhood to the end of his life. Throughout, the author emphasizes Houston's eccentric personality and his determination in every undertaking, despite setbacks and failures.