Francis Scott KeyFRANCIS SCOTT KEY by Collins, David (Author) on Dec-12-1982 Paperback

The Sowers

by David R. Collins

Book by Collins, David R.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Historical, Faith, Childrens, Christian

Paperback

First published December 1, 1982

About the author

David R. Collins is a published author and a narrator of children's books and young adult books. Some of the published credits of David R. Collins include George Washington Carver: Man's Slave Becomes God's Scientist, Cesar Chavez (Just the Facts Biographies), J. R. R. Tolkien (Just the Facts Biographies), and The Time Travelling Cat & the Tudor Treasure.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first biography I’ve read in The Sowers series for middle grade.

Francis Scott Key wrote the American National Anthem while prisoner aboard ship on the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812.

Born August 9, 1779 in Maryland on family plantation where they owned slaves. As a boy, he finds runaway slave who was mistreated. Later he chooses to be a lawyer. As a grown up, his wife has a good influence on him. He becomes more engaged in reading and writing poetry, studying theology and ethics.

In 1814, on board the Minden, he stands and prayers surrounded by hostile sailors. After the night of the Fort McHenry attack, at dawn, seeing American flag still flying over the fort, he becomes inspired. He writes a poem, which captures all the feeling of the night and morning. It becomes a popular song, printed in newspapers and periodicals, with the title The Star Spangled Banner.

This biography reads more like a novel. It is written in the first person with imagined dialogue. It develops certain scene, then jumps a few years. It doesn’t have a feel of a biography, which chronicles most important events in one’s life.

In current days, with children struggling with concentration, I’m not sure if they’d be engaged by this story. I believe they need events to be moving forward fairly quickly, which is not the case here. Nevertheless, whatever is written here, it is written by a talented writer.

The illustrations are black and white, which I find most appealing for this age group.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many students know that Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner." Not as many know that Key was a very successful lawyer and Christian. This book not only tells of the battle that led to the writing of our national anthem, but it also follows Key's life from a young boy to older age. The reader will learn new information about this great American.

The book does not tell of his very early childhood, including his birth, nor does it talk about his death. (It does have part of a "newspaper clipping" from the Baltimore Sun saying he died.)

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great way to learn of the background behind the song "The Star Spangled Banner" and the story behind its writer.

[Kristina Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple story of a peek into some events of our nation’s history and the life of the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

[Lydia · Rating 1 out of 5]

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[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast-paced, enjoyable read. This tells the story of Key's life, from childhood to death. I'm sure there are made-up details, but overall it is meant to be a factual account. According to the book, he was a man of principle and kindness, one who hated war, yet was a defender of family and country, one who used his words to touch and fight for the right, one who loved God above all.

[Devonne West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an elementary school level read. It's written in first-person perspective and references history as it was occurring at different stages in Key's life. Key, like many others in our country's history, was a man of strong Christian values.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soooo cool.

[Carissa Kauwell]

Read aloud to the boys as part of our curriculum.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book. Funny and inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.