Thomas Jefferson

History Maker Bios

by Victoria Sherrow

An introduction to the life of Thomas Jefferson, discussing his roles as drafter of the Declaration of Independence, ambassador to France, secretary of state, vice president, and president of the United States of America.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Library Binding

First published December 17, 2001

About the author

Victoria discovered her interest in reading and writing both in early adolescence. In 1978 she moved to Los Angeles and worked two jobs. It was at that time she read Writing for Children and Teenagers by Lee Wyndham , and that is when her fate as a writer was sealed. Victoria had decided to write a children's novel. She went to an annual L.A. conference on writing for children where she learned the basics of marketing and submitting work for writers. Then she started writing.

Her first stories were rejected but she kept strong at it. The year after(1979), she managed to sell a story. Then she sold more. And since she has become a multiple award winning author with over 100 published titles to her name. Sherrow has written poetry, short stories, picture books, and articles.

Victoria has taught writing for over twenty years, reviewed children’s books for newspapers, judged writing contests, and done numerous presentations at schools, libraries, and bookstores. She is a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and served as a judge for the SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award.

Reviews

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful source of information on our third president and drafter of The Decoration of Independence. There were a few facts that should have been added to paint an even more detailed account about this eccentric political figure. Such as his troublesome on and off friendship with John Adams and their nearly simultaneous deaths on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the very document that Jefferson was best known for. OTHER then that it would be a perfect book for young readers when writing their first biography.

[Stacy Deyerle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and clearly written biography that my 2nd grader really enjoyed.
While we used it as a "read aloud" it is probably on an appropriate reading level for her.
While it is clear, it is not too overly simplfied, and provides some good history, as well as a portrait of the facets of the man.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did my book report on Thomas Jefferson and this was the book that I used to get all the information. It was pretty easy to read and it had some really interesting facts like Thomas Jefferson's dad didn't go to school. Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd president, he often read for 15 hours a day when he was growing up, and he wrote the Declaration of Independence.