Alexander Graham Bell: Giving Voice to the World

by Mary Kay Carson

Inspired by his nearly-deaf mother and a father who developed a “visible alphabet” of all the possible sounds a human being can make, Alexander Graham Bell spent the greater part of his life trying to improve the way people communicated with one another. It was this desire that led him to create his most famous invention, the telephone, and turned him into one of the most well-known names of all time. Young readers will find themselves fascinated by this in-depth look at Bell’s life and times; his journey from compassionate teacher to master inventor; his success—by just a day—in becoming the first to patent his new creation; and his other, less celebrated, but important achievements.

Genres: Biography, Middle Grade, History, Science, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2007

About the author

Mary Kay Carson is an award-winning children’s nonfiction author. She has written more than thirty books for young people about wildlife, space, weather, nature, and history. Her recent non-fiction titles include Emi and the Rhino Scientist, about the Cincinnati Zoo's famous rhino mom; Exploring the Solar System, recipient of the 2009 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Children’s Literature Award; The Wright Brothers for Kids; Inside Tornadoes; and the Far-Out Guide to the Solar System series. The author also gives presentations at schools and libraries about space, animals, history, and writing.

Reviews

[Sarrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I originally checked it out just for projects to do with my co-op students as I taught about a famous inventor, but was gripped by the depth of Alexander Graham Bell's life story, virtually none of which I knew. I loved this and would recommend it to anyone!

[Nancy Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson grabs the reader's attention by the very first page and holds it for the rest of the book. She slowly and meticulously shares the facets of this man's amazing life. He was a gifted musician, a lackluster student and a curious inventor. This man spent much of his life teach the deaf how to speak. He enjoyed a long friendship with Helen Keller and yeah, he also invented that one thing we cant seem to live without these days--the telephone. Great read and kids will love the activities.

[Shoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very detailed biography of Alexander Graham Bell. With illustrations, timelines, quotes, and photos, it tells the story of the inventor of the telephone from birth to death. I bought this book for a school project a few years ago, but ended up reading it again to remember what he did. His tough childhood life, his motives of building the telephone, his legacy, all are written in this small book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read biography of the inventor.