What do you think?
Rate this book
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin
Now available in paperback for the first time, James Cross Giblin and Michael Dooling tell the story of the man known as the "wisest American." Benjamin Franklin was one of seventeen children, and the youngest of 10 sons. To help out with the family, he was put to work when he was 10 years old in his father's candle and soap-making shop. Ben hated making soap and candles. Since he was smart and a good speller and he loved to read, he later went to work in his brother's print shop as an apprentice. He read book after book, and soon began to write himself. By 18, he moved to Philadelphia where he eventually openend his own print shop. By age 28 he published "Poor Richard's Almanac," a best seller in Colonial America.
48 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
1 person is currently reading
112 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Read
November 5, 2010This was a great way to review Benjamin Franklin in fourth grade, since he is an electricity science SOL. It is A biography that explains that Benjamin Franklin was much more than an inventor who liked to conduct experiments.
Activity- Write a newspaper page on a famous inventor. (The SOL requires students to learn about Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Michael Faraday, so students could choose any one of those after learning about each.)
Activity- Write a newspaper page on a famous inventor. (The SOL requires students to learn about Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Michael Faraday, so students could choose any one of those after learning about each.)
April 15, 2019
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin written by James Cross Giblin and illustrated Michael Dooling is a picture book biography of Franklin’s life. The book starts off when Ben was born in 1706 and follows his life all the way until he died in 1790. The book focuses on big life events that took place throughout Ben’s life. It starts out by describing Ben’s life when he was growing up and working for his dad and then brother. The book then follows Ben’s journey to Philadelphia and London to find work. The author tells the story of Ben’s involvement over seas and his work to help the American military. The illustrations in this book were done in oil on canvas and help the reader better understand Benjamin Franklin’s life. This story is geared towards readers in middle school because though it is a picture book, it includes a lot of information of Ben Franklin for more mature readers. I would include this book in a history lesson about Ben Franklin and how he impacted United States history. Though this book was very informational, it was interesting to read about Ben’s life.
November 13, 2019
This is one of my favorite nonfiction books. James Cross Giblin makes Benjamin Franklin seem more human. Before reading this book, I always have thought of Ben Franklin as this amazing historical figure (I still do), but I can now see him as human and someone that I would want to be friends with. Giblin has such a sassy tone that I did not expect to encounter while reading a nonfiction book. He made me laugh several times, especially when he described Ben Franklin as a lady's man. This book made Ben Franklin more human to me and taught me many things that I did not know about him. I truly enjoyed reading this book and wanted to learn more. There were illustrations that were realistic and helped me see what the world looked like in the past. I would use this book in a classroom to teach my students about biographies or historical nonfiction books. This book would be for older and more experienced students.
December 1, 2018
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James Giblin
12/1/18
5/5
Nonfiction: Biography, Grades 4-6
This is a great nonfiction text that talks about the life of Benjamin Franklin. There were facts in the book that I had never known about him, and it did a good job of explaining who he was. This book would be great for a history lesson on Ben Franklin for upper elementary students. The pictures were also incredible. They were very detailed and interesting. Overall, I would highly recommend this book by James Giblin.
12/1/18
5/5
Nonfiction: Biography, Grades 4-6
This is a great nonfiction text that talks about the life of Benjamin Franklin. There were facts in the book that I had never known about him, and it did a good job of explaining who he was. This book would be great for a history lesson on Ben Franklin for upper elementary students. The pictures were also incredible. They were very detailed and interesting. Overall, I would highly recommend this book by James Giblin.
October 29, 2017
This book contains information on all the various aspects of Ben’s life. The text is simple and can easily be understood by older students. The illustrations are beautiful, but I did think this book was a little long and wordy. Biography
December 5, 2017
This is a book that I would skim read, there's so much information to read cover to cover. However, the information is so valuable and important to learn about our former president and American history!
April 16, 2019
The amazing life of Benjamin Franklin, is a biography about the founding father Benjamin Franklin. The story follows him from the time he was a kid and to his older years where all of his life is significant and beneficial to America today. Throughout the story the reader learns about important events. While reading this story students will be able to gain a better sight into the life of Franklin and his family. The whole story describes life events that made him the way that he is. The story is perfect for students who want to learn about autobiographies, and historical figures. I give this book a good score for the ability to use it in a classroom, but also for its accurate information. I would use this book in an early grade level classroom, to help my students learn and possibly create a project on Benjamin Franklin with the book.
January 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this overview of Benjamin Franklin's life. A lot of interesting information packed in.
February 22, 2022
A good introduction to this great man of literature, science and diplomacy
February 2, 2024
My Grandfather Loved Ben. And he passed that love on to me! The pictures are good. It is a short book so many things are left out But this book had a few things I did not know about!
October 16, 2011
This wonderfully written picture biography of Ben Franklin was actually enjoyable to read. I am usually not one for biographies, but because this had pictures to accompany everything and was not as long as most biographies, it was something that I could actually sit through and read.
The book starts out when Ben Franklin was a boy and goes all the way until the day that he dies. The reader learns all about the things that Ben has gone through, including how he started the Pennsylvania Gazette, his adventure with electricity, and his trips back and forth from America to England. You read about the trials and tribulations that Ben Franklin had to encounter to become the person who he is remembered as today. The way the book is written along with the illustrations on every page almost make you forget you're reading a biography and you feel as if you're just reading any plain old story about someone, but you're being greatly educated while reading.
As a future teacher, I would use this book in a unit about Ben Franklin. This is a wonderful supplement to something that you could teach in a history class. This book could also be used for older students because of the amount of text that is in the book. I would probably use this book as an introduction to Ben Franklin so the students could get a little background on who he was and what he did, and then eventually go into more depth about some of the events that occurred in the book. At the end of the book are pages that include valuable supplemental information such as important dates, inventions of Ben Franklin, sayings from "Poor Richard's Almanack", and historic sites. These would all be helpful in further educating students about Ben Franklin's life.
The book starts out when Ben Franklin was a boy and goes all the way until the day that he dies. The reader learns all about the things that Ben has gone through, including how he started the Pennsylvania Gazette, his adventure with electricity, and his trips back and forth from America to England. You read about the trials and tribulations that Ben Franklin had to encounter to become the person who he is remembered as today. The way the book is written along with the illustrations on every page almost make you forget you're reading a biography and you feel as if you're just reading any plain old story about someone, but you're being greatly educated while reading.
As a future teacher, I would use this book in a unit about Ben Franklin. This is a wonderful supplement to something that you could teach in a history class. This book could also be used for older students because of the amount of text that is in the book. I would probably use this book as an introduction to Ben Franklin so the students could get a little background on who he was and what he did, and then eventually go into more depth about some of the events that occurred in the book. At the end of the book are pages that include valuable supplemental information such as important dates, inventions of Ben Franklin, sayings from "Poor Richard's Almanack", and historic sites. These would all be helpful in further educating students about Ben Franklin's life.
March 22, 2012
This book is about the course of the well known Benjamin Franklin and his life. It tells it as a story that children can understand. James Cross Giblin tell of the hardships and the successes that Benjamin Frankling goes through in his eighty-four year life span. It tells of his family, his travels, his arguments, his accomplishments, his impacts, and his loss.
Benjamin Franklin's life would most certainly be interesting to young readers. He signed the great Constitution, and he helped with the science of electricity and hot air balloon. He had been in conflict, and he worked his way up from very little. James Cross Giblin made this book so that children can believe that he was a real human being. Especially, when they spoke of his struggles. Most students would like to believe that American Heros lived the perfect life, this allows students to know that even that most important people have issues. The information in the book is very accurate down to the year, and the conflicts. The author did a good job in engaging style that maintained a readers' attention. I say this because he wrote as though he was there throughout it all. He talked about the way he would think Benjamin Franklin would feel, and his determination throughout the book.
My reaction to the book was that it was very informative. Once again, I think the thing that struck me the most was the amount of hardships he went through throughout the course of his long life. I relate this to my life with the whole "American Dream" concept. If you come from something that is not much to talk about, always try to better yourself. I would use this in my classroom to show my students that heros too, have struggles, and with determination and motivation you can do whatever you set your mind to.
Benjamin Franklin's life would most certainly be interesting to young readers. He signed the great Constitution, and he helped with the science of electricity and hot air balloon. He had been in conflict, and he worked his way up from very little. James Cross Giblin made this book so that children can believe that he was a real human being. Especially, when they spoke of his struggles. Most students would like to believe that American Heros lived the perfect life, this allows students to know that even that most important people have issues. The information in the book is very accurate down to the year, and the conflicts. The author did a good job in engaging style that maintained a readers' attention. I say this because he wrote as though he was there throughout it all. He talked about the way he would think Benjamin Franklin would feel, and his determination throughout the book.
My reaction to the book was that it was very informative. Once again, I think the thing that struck me the most was the amount of hardships he went through throughout the course of his long life. I relate this to my life with the whole "American Dream" concept. If you come from something that is not much to talk about, always try to better yourself. I would use this in my classroom to show my students that heros too, have struggles, and with determination and motivation you can do whatever you set your mind to.
Read
December 11, 2014This beautifully illustrated biography of one of the Founding Fathers of the United States gives the reader an overview of the long and fascinating life of a man who is as well remembered for his inventions and writings as for his statesmanship.Benjamin Franklin was one of seventeen children, and the youngest of 10 sons. To help out with the family, he was put to work when he was 10 years old in his father's candle and soap-making shop. Ben hated making soap and candles. Since he was smart and a good speller and he loved to read, he later went to work in his brother's print shop as an apprentice. He read book after book, and soon began to write himself. Giblin is an editor, a lecturer, and an award-winning author of twenty nonfiction books for young readers, twelve of which have been named ALA Notable Children’s Books. Historically accurate and the appealing informal text laced with engaging detail is vividly beautiful and adds drama to this story. A biography for one of our founding fathers can be incorporated into any classroom lesson much easier than the biography of the boy who invented the tv. Both are great books to read for children, but Giblin takes the award for a riveting picture book biography that graphically echoes the look of a newspaper from Ben Franklin’s printing press. Giblin’s clear, eloquent text and Drooling’s paintings present a masterful portrait of the humorous and brilliant man who was known as the “wisest American”. A teaching idea for this book would be to do a science project about electricity and teach children how it works.
Giblin, J., & Dooling, M. (2000). The amazing life of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Scholastic Press.
Giblin, J., & Dooling, M. (2000). The amazing life of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Scholastic Press.
December 10, 2012
1. Genre: Biography/Autobiography Junior Book
2. Summary: This book tells about Benjamin Franklin and his life, from childhood, family, marriage, inventions and contributions. It covers many aspects and details of Benjamin's life.
3. Critique:
a) The best part about this book is the information and life of Benjamin Franklin. The author shows many aspects and features of this historical person.
b) The biography includes many aspects of this person's life, such as his early career to historical importance in the newly created United States. The biography shows his new interests throughout his life as well. For example, when the peace treaty between Great Britian and the U.S. was signed, Ben found his new interest in ballooning. It allows the reader to relate and see him as a person like themselves. The book doesn't take a side or opinion against or for this individual. It just clearly provides the life story of Ben Franklin.
c) On page 29, it shows how much of an impact that the British and American fighting had on Benjamin Franklin. This helps the reader to understand the feelings of those during that time period. This is the fight that he had worked so hard to prevent.
4. Curriculum Connection: This book is appropriate for the older elementary readers. I think this book can be used when discussing social studies, such as the contributors of the United States. This book will allow the students to see Benjamin Franklin and other historical persons in a new way.
2. Summary: This book tells about Benjamin Franklin and his life, from childhood, family, marriage, inventions and contributions. It covers many aspects and details of Benjamin's life.
3. Critique:
a) The best part about this book is the information and life of Benjamin Franklin. The author shows many aspects and features of this historical person.
b) The biography includes many aspects of this person's life, such as his early career to historical importance in the newly created United States. The biography shows his new interests throughout his life as well. For example, when the peace treaty between Great Britian and the U.S. was signed, Ben found his new interest in ballooning. It allows the reader to relate and see him as a person like themselves. The book doesn't take a side or opinion against or for this individual. It just clearly provides the life story of Ben Franklin.
c) On page 29, it shows how much of an impact that the British and American fighting had on Benjamin Franklin. This helps the reader to understand the feelings of those during that time period. This is the fight that he had worked so hard to prevent.
4. Curriculum Connection: This book is appropriate for the older elementary readers. I think this book can be used when discussing social studies, such as the contributors of the United States. This book will allow the students to see Benjamin Franklin and other historical persons in a new way.
July 6, 2020
The writer James Cross Giblin’s 2000 picture book biography of Benjamin Franklin which is called The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin is a good short complimentary introduction to the life of Franklin. The illustrations of the book are by Michael Dooling. Dooling’s illustration of Franklin as a printer on page 14 was used as a commemorative stamp for Franklin’s 300th birthday in 2006. Giblin’s book is through the introductory biography of Franklin in 40 pages. Franklin lived a busy 84 years between 1706 and 1790, so Giblin’s short biography is quite an accomplishment. The book contains additional information about Franklin, the book contains a list of “Historic Sites Associated with Benjamin Franklin” (Giblin 44). Both Giblin and Dooling traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to do first-hand research on the life of Franklin. According to the Dooling’s “Artist’s Note”, learn how to print as Franklin did in the 18th Century (Giblin 46) Most of the sites in Philadelphia except where Franklin’s parents are buried are in Old Granary Burial Ground in Boston, Massachusetts. For the painting of Franklin’s childhood dinner scene on page 7, Dooling used himself to model for all the adult males in the painting. This book, The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin is a very good introduction to the life of Franklin. I found the professional website for Micheal Dooling useful in writing in this ‘review’.
April 29, 2015
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James Cross Giblin is written in more of a story form that starts at the beginning of his life and ends at the end of his life. There are no chapters but there is an important dates section at the end of the book as well as a list and description of the different things that Benjamin Franklin invented. The style includes beautiful watercolor illustrations, interesting sketches of important people in Benjamin’s life, as well as different cartoon drawings of documents. The book is fairly well organized and reads pretty nicely although chapters might make it easier to separate out the specific details of his life chronologically. The facts are very accurate and up to date and the design is attractive. Overall this book is an easy read and gives a large amount of background information on Benjamin Franklin.
September 27, 2013
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin is a book that I would strongly recommend for teachers to have their students' read. My thought is that it would be a book that would be aimed at student in the 3rd or 4th grade level. The book is only 48 pages with illustrations along with the text, so more advanced readers may need to find a more challenging book if they are looking for a biography on Benjamin Franklin. This would be a great book for a teacher to introduce a important historical figure while having students work on their reading. The book gives an accurate portrayal of Benjamin Franklin's life and covers his inventions. This would be a good book to incorporate a wide variety of activities. Students could further investigate and research things that Franklin had invented for instance. I'm always impressed with Scholastic books and this book provided further support. A great way to further introduce students' to biographies as well.
August 23, 2020
Summary: This book tells the adventurous life of one of the most well known American heroes-Benjamin Franklin!
Evaluation: The text does a great job of explaining the details of Ben Franklin's life and relating it to important events in American history. The story has beautiful illustration, and the pages have the text spread out among the pages so there are not too many words on one page.
Teaching Ideas: This book would be great to use as a review tool for social studies (especially along the lines of the American Revolution). The teacher can have the students create a timeline, marking out key events in Franklin's life in one color, and Americas in another.
Evaluation: The text does a great job of explaining the details of Ben Franklin's life and relating it to important events in American history. The story has beautiful illustration, and the pages have the text spread out among the pages so there are not too many words on one page.
Teaching Ideas: This book would be great to use as a review tool for social studies (especially along the lines of the American Revolution). The teacher can have the students create a timeline, marking out key events in Franklin's life in one color, and Americas in another.
February 1, 2011
This was a good autobiography because I was able to learn about what Benjamin Franklin did throughout his whole life. I thought for a second that I was actually in the book. Lots and lots of details were included which made the book really interesting.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes autobiography and brief summary of someone's lives because this book has a lot of facts about Ben Franklin.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes autobiography and brief summary of someone's lives because this book has a lot of facts about Ben Franklin.
January 2, 2013
This is an excellent book about Benjamin Franklin and his life. It also lists important dates at the end of the book. I think this is a great tool if you are already on the subject of Benjamin and want to supplement it with more material.
I think this book is appropriate for students 4 and 5. The book level is a bit advanced but you could make some exceptions and leave out some of the details for acceptable material.
I think this book is appropriate for students 4 and 5. The book level is a bit advanced but you could make some exceptions and leave out some of the details for acceptable material.
November 18, 2013
This book was very interesting to read. It tells the story of Benjamin Franklin; from when he was born until he died. This book is not like many others. I say this because it tells the story of his life but also breaks down all of the historical information about him into different sections in the back of the book. I discovered that he invented a new fireplace, library chair, etc. It is an excellent informational book. Students can really learn a lot from this book; I did!
December 7, 2013
Summary: The story of Benjamin Franklin from childhood to adult. This book follows Ben through his difficult times and his triumphs.
Audience: Grades 3-5
Curriculum Connection: Colonial America, Ben Franklin, Inventors, Revolutionary war, science
Personal Reaction: The book was ok. It was a historical timeline of Benjamin Franklin. It read as a story book but I found it dull without excitement.
Genre: Informational
Audience: Grades 3-5
Curriculum Connection: Colonial America, Ben Franklin, Inventors, Revolutionary war, science
Personal Reaction: The book was ok. It was a historical timeline of Benjamin Franklin. It read as a story book but I found it dull without excitement.
Genre: Informational
April 30, 2014
What an inspiring, delightful read! Very well written. I couldn't stop reading it! I love to see quality prose that feeds the mind of the adult as well as the child. This kind of book is what is needed for preparing children for success in school. It will build their vocabulary awhile inspiring them. Children desperately need to be inspired. An inspired child is well behaved as well as successful in school and then as an adult.
September 6, 2011
This book goes into great detail of Benjamin Franklin's life, especially for a picture book. It not only focuses on his professional achievements but gives a view into his personal life. I would suggest this book for the upper elementary grades because it is a bit lengthy and might not hold the younger students' attention.
March 19, 2013
I liked this book. We didn't finish it only because the level of reading was a little too wordy and detailed for my kindergartner. So, my rating is really based on how well it worked for us and not for the book itself. The illustrations are nice, though sometimes I felt they were a little too "sketchy". I'm more in favor of crisp, clean artwork.
December 7, 2012
Great resource book for children! I would use this book with students when they are first learning how to use books for research because it is fairly short and it has an index so I think it would be a good reference for students who are beginning to learn how to use an index. I would also use this, or just parts of this when talking about American History with my students.
November 6, 2014
This book is for older students - 4,5 & 6 grades. I think it could be used with 3 grade if studying Ben Franklin. It has important dates, inventions, famous sayings and historic sites listed in the back of the book. The book is not real in depth but contains enough information to be interesting and learn about Ben Franklin's life and accomplishments.
December 12, 2011
This biography of Benjamin Franklin is wonderful. Benjamin Franklin accomplished a lot of things in his life. I learned a lot of things about him that I never knew before. I was fascinated. This is a well written book.
December 15, 2011
I like this book to use when dicussing Benjamin Franklin and all of his accomplishments. It has a good use of pictures and tells about his life and successes. I enjoyed this and think it is a good book when talking about inventors.
April 14, 2013
Great biography for children. Very accurate with sources and provides a full account of Benjamin Franklin's life in politics and his relationship with his wife and son. I think that this book also provides a lot of insight to why America needed to secede from England.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews