Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin (Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards (Awards))

by Robert Byrd

Hardcover, 2012

Call number

JB FRANKLIN

Collection

Children’s/YA Biography

Publication

Dial Books (2012), Edition: Illustrated, 40 pages

Description

Learn all about the life of Benjamin Franklin, from his childhood to his golden years.

User reviews

LibraryThing member LLPoland

I opened the book and immediately loved it because of the inside covers being full of Franklin's famous quotes. This book is an Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Honor Book for 2013. Many of readers probably know about Benjamin Franklin's adult life as an inventor, writer,

and political figure. This book details important events throughout his whole life, adulthood and childhood. The text's illustrations add some whimsy, color, and information. There are several nonfiction text features that add depth and appeal to this book such as a timeline, captions, and textboxes full of interesting tidbits.

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LibraryThing member Sullywriter

It always amazes me when a subject that seems to have been done to death like Benjamin Franklin can be made fresh and exciting as it is in this quite stunning introduction to America's most interesting founding father. Byrd packs what seems like a lot of textual information into this picture

biography but the narrative is consistently engaging and the information never overwhelming. His illustrations are elegant and amazingly detailed. A superb accomplishment.

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LibraryThing member Octokitten

A fascinating look at the life of the incomparable Benjamin Franklin with emphasis on his many and varied accomplishments. This book makes Benjamin - called affectionately "Ben" throughout the book - approachable and invites readers to learn more about the amazing man. The illustrations are used

well and carefully detail Ben's life from his early years as a printer through his old age as a statesman and foreign dignitary. The author seamlessly interweaves Ben's biography with important historical events and how they affected Ben's life. Overall a fascinating, entertaining, and surprisingly comprehensive look at Benjamin Franklin.

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LibraryThing member natalie.loy

A book about Benjamin Franklin’s life and his accomplishments to American history, this is a short picture book biography of Benjamin Franklin. Although Benjamin Franklin is most famous for his contribution in the area of electricity, it was only one small part of what he accomplished in his life

time. He was a printer, writer, publisher, inventor, and a Founding Father. The book explores his life from his early days as a boy learning the printing trade, to being the oldest delegate to sign the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Filled with beautiful illustrations this book has been recommended to be used in grades K-3.

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LibraryThing member Abdullah9000

This book follows the life and times of Benjamin Franklin, who was an important early American. It shows about some of his inventions, and the things that he did for the American government and people as well.

LibraryThing member ShelbyBurton

This is a biography book that would draw in every young reader. It has eccentric and colorful illustrations, refers to Ben Franklin as a celebrity and even makes examples out of each and every one of Ben Franklin’s inventions. The illustrations utilized in this book are add character to each of

Ben’s inventions, by using color and dimension the illustrator was able to bring even the invention of bifocals to life for his readers. Another aspect I enjoyed was how the author often referred to Ben Franklin as a celebrity of his time; this makes Ben’s popularity easier to comprehend for young readers. Finally, the author included every single one of Ben Franklin’s inventions, which is quite an extensive list. He covered everything from the constitution to the harmonica. These three aspects made it easy for the author to convey his main message, that Benjamin Franklin is a note-worthy inventor.

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LibraryThing member amydelpo

Fun, well-written biography of Ben Franklin -- good for middle school kids -- crazy drawings -- interesting and well done.

LibraryThing member loross

This book managed to provide a significant amount of historical information about a very important historical figure. But at the same time, it was able to stay whimsical and not get too dry with the content. The pictures helped with this vibe as well.

LibraryThing member Salsabrarian

Each spread addresses key events of Ben Franklin's life, from youth to celebrated American citizen. Plenty of captioned color illustrations invite close examination and provide a glimpse of life back in colonial days.

LibraryThing member mirikayla

This is a fabulous biography. Really makes him sound like a fascinating person, and includes a surprising amount of information.

LibraryThing member katiegotur

This book made me change the way I viewed Benjamin Franklin. The illustrations complimented the biography very nicely. The side pictures and quotes made this book one that kids will always love to flip through.

LibraryThing member RobertaLea

Ol' Ben really was a fascinating person. A cad, but a fascinating person.

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