The Great Bridge-Building Contest

by Bo Zaunders, Roxie Munro

Lemuel Chenoweth--a shy, furniture maker with only a third-grade education--enters a bridge-building contest in Richmond, Virginia, during the 1800s and wins with his design built entirely without nails.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 2004

Reviews

[Heidi]

Illustrations are decent but not spectacular. Story is great. My gents have both loved this one. We've read it many times.

[Jim Sibigtroth]

The non-fiction account of the Philippi wood covered bridge that was built by Lemuel Chenoweth in 1850. This bridge was built to last - it survived the Civil War, a fire, and remains in service to this day. When I read this aloud to 2nd graders, I bring Street View pictures to show the actual bridge as it looks today. It gives great messages about the value of hard work and that the prize doesn't always go to the richest or best-educated contestant.

[Christian]

Interesting!