Take the Lead, George Washington

by Judith St. George, Daniel Powers (Illustrations)

George Washington wanted to be a Virginia gentleman, like his brother Lawrence . . . until he got the chance to go on a wilderness trip as a surveyor's assistant. It was a rough-and even dangerous-journey. At times George got discouraged, but his grit and determination kept him going. His early trek into the American frontier was a turning point for George, and he proved he was ready for any challenge . . . from being a general in the Revolutionary War to becoming the first president of the United States!
Second in Judith St. George's new Turning Point series about major moments in the young lives of American presidents, this volume features vibrant illustrations by Daniel Powers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Picture Books, History, Historical, Presidents, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 13, 2005

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take the Lead, Abraham Lincoln was better than this one. Too many names, distracting graphics.

Not a keeper.

[Bookbag_Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

- The Wilderness Is Healing, A Therapy For The Soul.

- We must go beyond textbooks,
go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.


“The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they pass unobserved.

“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.”

“99% of failures come from people who make excuses.”

“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”

“Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.”

TRAVELED TO // Virginia, Pope's Creek, Epsewasson ( Mount Vernon), Journey Over The Mountains
MET ALONG THE WAY // George Washington, Augustine Washington, Mary Washington, Lawrence Washington, Betty, Samuel, Jane, John, Charles, Augustine Jr., Colonel Fairfax, Lord Fairfax

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. Perhaps the word I'm looking for is "ordinary" as nothing by way of the writing style or illustrations really stood out to me.

If you're looking for a history book for your child to read themselves, it's recommended for 2nd - 4th grades.

Ages: 7 - 9

Cleanliness: Mentions gambling, tobacco fields, wine and dancing. A couple of the illustrations show big bosomed women.

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[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Washington wanted to be a Virginia gentleman, like his brother Lawrence . . . until he got the chance to go on a wilderness trip as a surveyor's assistant. It was a rough-and even dangerous-journey. At times George got discouraged, but his grit and determination kept him going. His early trek into the American frontier was a turning point for George, and he proved he was ready for any challenge . . . from being a general in the Revolutionary War to becoming the first president of the United States!
Second in Judith St. George's new Turning Point series about major moments in the young lives of American presidents, this volume features vibrant illustrations by Daniel Powers.

[Sarah Mckelvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a read aloud to my son and daughter. We are learning about the Presidents of the United States in our homeschool. This book kept both my 4 and 8 year old's attention. Even l learned a few things about George Washington that I did not know: 1. His mother's name was Mary. He was the oldest child of his mother and father. He had three older half siblings: 2 brothers (Augustine and Lawrence) and a sister. 2. Mt. Vernon was left to Lawrence, but when Lawrence died, George inherited it. (I learned other things, but don't want to list it all.)

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography that doesn't focus on military or presidential accomplishments, but on his first job, as a paid surveyor in a miserable expedition in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It would be a great book to talk about grit, but I would only use it after I had covered something more comprehensive that looked at the major events in his life.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting because it talks about George Washington from a different point of view than what we are used to. Instead of talking about his presidency and focusing on his older achievements in life, it is more about him as a young lad and young adult. It explains about him wanting to be a proper gentleman but then he goes on a surveying expedition and finds he is interested in different things. It sheds light on the fact that he was just like we are, with interests and different experiences that helped shape him, and the readers are able to build connections with him. This book was divided into chapters which was interesting as well. Readers, about third and fourth grade would appreciate this book and would like the cartoon illustrations that the book contains.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really long and not historically accurate

[Gabrielle Neufeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only gave this book 2 stars because I thought it was kind of boring. It wasn't laid out super well and was pretty dry. I think it had good information so maybe she students would like it but it just felt too long to me, to be a kids book.

Lexile: 570L
Interest Level: grades 4-5

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very early years of George Washington are the subject of this high-level picture book which focuses heavily on a surveying job Washington took at age 16, an event the author implies was a “turning point” in the young man’s life. Details are well-researched and provide a solid picture of our first president’s childhood. A brief biography of the rest of Washington’s life and a bibliography are included at book’s end. The watercolor illustrations adequately support the text, although at times they seem distorted (young George often looks like an old man who has no upper teeth). The opening spread is a bit confusing as well—which of the two men depicted is his father, and why are they angry? Since it only covers the first sixteen years of Washington’s life this book has limited use as a research tool, but it may spark discussion of or research on “turning points” in our lives and the lives of historical figures.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several picture books about the legendary George Washington with my daughter. Although, I don’t think I have ever read one that focused on this particular time in life; when he took an arduous month long surveying trip as a young adult. This may have been the turning point that gave Washington the confidence to pursue a military life, knowing he could survive harsh wild elements. Curious how he would compare this plotting expedition to that winter at Valley Forge? The only negative I would say about the story was its punctuation. Normally I am not a grammar snob, since I myself am far from a pro. However, many of the simple sentences could have been combined with the next to avoid starting them with “and” or “but.”

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Washington became an amazing man and leader, but he started out just like all the rest of us. This book sheds much light on his childhood and on experiences, particularly his first surveying expedition, that might have helped shape him into the man he became. Nowadays many are inclined to detract from the founding fathers of the United States, but I firmly believe that the freedoms enjoyed in the United States, and to a large extent throughout the world, would not have happened, would not be as abundant as they are without the founding fathers and particularly George Washington. The illustrations in this book are bright and colorful, very pleasant to look at.

[Syndi Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about our very 1st President. Instead of reading about his life as a President, you read more about his childhood. Also, this book is spilt up into chapters. This story includes more information about his family. The colors are bright and you can clearly see the faces of the characters. At the end, there is more information about George Washington. The text is filled with a lot of information. Also, you can clearly find where the paragraphs beginning. Overall this is a good book and a great way to find out more about the 1st President of the United States.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a different perspective on young George. Before he was president or general, he was a child-turned-young man who worked hard, endured the challenges of early American life and was readying himself for the incredible responsibilities that unknowingly lay before him. I was not aware of his work as a surveyor, but the tale of his first surveying job is a vivid glimpse of how wild and uncomfortable the early years in this land really were.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a biographical text about George Washington and presents as a fictional story. I see using this text in younger to mid elementary grades. I predict students would really enjoy this book because it has creativity and flare even though it is nonfiction.

[CR Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of working with the illustrator of this book while managing our children's museum. How exciting IS it to work with a talented, creative, FUN professional!?

[Karla Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn about George's youth and early adulthood, the struggles and opportunities that built the character of our first president.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on his younger years with great illustrations.

[Caryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was okay, I really did not like the pictures in the book...