Who Was Ben Franklin?
Grade 3-5-This is an often funny, always engaging introduction to  one of America's most fascinating founding fathers. Franklin is  affectionately and respectfully depicted as a man of insatiable  intellectual curiosity with a tireless creative and inventive  mind who played indispensable roles in the War for Independence  and the establishment of the U.S. government. Fradin's anecdotal  presentation describes all of the important contributions and  inventions the man gave to the world: a national postal system,  the first public library, the first volunteer fire department,  bifocals, the Franklin stove, the lightning rod, and his  revolutionary experiments with electricity. His public service  on behalf of the Continental Congress as a diplomat and  representative, and his contributions to the Articles of  Confederation and the Constitution also receive significant  attention. The discussions of Franklin's childhood growing up as  one of 17 children and his relationship with his son William who  stayed loyal to England during the War for Independence add an  interesting personal dimension. Readers are left with an  impression of a man of almost unfathomable genius whose many  astonishing contributions to American culture, politics,  society, and science still profoundly affect us. O'Brien's  black-and-white amusing cartoon illustrations are an effective  complement to the lighthearted text. A fun, informative  introductory biography that will inspire many readers to learn  more about this fascinating man.Edward Sullivan, White Pine  School, TNCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.