Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom!

History Pals #1

by Candace Fleming, Mark Fearing (Illustrator)

Nolan is a typical kid living in a typical 21st century American town. Ben Franklin is, well, Ben Franklin--Founding Father, inventor of the lightning rod and bifocals, and more. When, through a bizarre set of circumstances, Nolan and his little sister, Olive, find Ben in their house, chaos isn't far behind.

From introducing him to the toaster to taking him to the public library (another Ben invention) to preventing a nosy neighbor from blowing Ben's cover, Nolan does his best to be Ben's tour guide to the new world he helped form.

Genres: Humor, Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2017

About the author

I have always been a storyteller. Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale. And I told them all the time. As a preschooler, I told my neighbors all about my three-legged cat named Spot. In kindergarten, I told my classmates about the ghost that lived in my attic. And in first grade I told my teacher, Miss Harbart, all about my family's trip to Paris, France.

I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.

Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.

In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.

As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.

After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.

But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.

Reviews

[Kelly Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

my kids loved it. they want to learn more about Benjamin Franklin. highly recommend if you have kids who don't care about history.

[☘Tara Sheehan☘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a new series introduces us to Ben Franklin in a fun way with easy to read chapters and adorable illustrations accompanying the well thought out story as kids are treated to how historical fiction is meant to be written.

Candace Fleming created a clever, surprisingly accurate and moving tale of what would happen if Ben Franklin turned up in modern times. Even though it might seem odd to have Ben show up, and in the way he does, somehow it doesn’t seem to matter in the overall arc of the story thanks to the enthusiasm Fleming manages to drum up in her writing.

There’s plenty of family drama and heartfelt parent/child moments that will appeal to a wide audience plus add some balance to the historical facts sprinkled throughout the plot. There is a TON of humor to make this an instant favorite for kids and parents will love the educational aspects.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun reading. I'm not sure if kids would read this or not. A mysterious invention lands in Nolan's house. Nolan has problems. His Dad has left them. He is in charge of his annoying little sister so that his Mom can finish up the next installment in her bunnies series. I assume Fleming couldn't think of anything more stupid because it does seem as though she was trying hard to find a bad series. This might be a decent way to expose the kids to history: have historical figures appear in your kitchen and let things go on from there. I'm curious to see what others have thought.

[vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so satisfying on audiobook. After Benjamin Franklin magically appears in the home of two 21st century kids, a silly and funny adventure around town ensues. The brother and sister character are likable and feed off one another (the sister is adventurous and outgoing and the brother is more reasonable and serious). There is a deeper thread about divorce as well. But mostly, I just giggled at the fish out of water time travel trope and the narrator's impersonation of Franklin.

[Colby Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was super funny. It made me want to hang out with Ben Franklin.

[Stuart Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the spirit of this book. The kids are playful and it seems like something that would capture 3rd or 4th grade readers. The dialogue is perfectly-fun! When Ben Franklin goes into storytelling moments, they are historically based and the book uses a graphic novel style for telling accurate history of Franklin's life (creation of the library, pursuit to create fire stations, electricity, the tense relationship with his son, and inventing swim fins). I'm excited to see this series continue and I wonder who the author will choose as the next historical character.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute upper-elementary read full of humor and history. Watching Nolan and Olive show Benjamin Franklin around modern-day America--going to the swimming pool, eating ice cream--reminded me of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Super fun. This first book sets up the series nicely--not just the magical radio that brings past figures to the present, but the family issues surrounding Nolan's parents' divorce.

[Kelly Veatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that I think my students will love.

[Natalie Schellert · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this electric, inventive, funny, and fascinating nonfiction book by Candace Fleming, Nolan and Olive find a surprise in their bathroom. Candace Fleming brings great ideas, careful research, humor, and an understanding of her audience when writing this children's graphic book. Children can learn interesting facts about history, but not all the facts are real some of them are twisted. If you haven't read Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom! yet, then I recommend you go pick it up and give it a read!

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audience: Grades 3-5
Format: Audiobook/Library

Olive lay on her belly under the kitchen table.
- first sentence

This is a funny book about what would happen if Ben Franklin was somehow transported to today's world. Nolan & Olive find a strange radio on their front porch and as they are playing with the buttons, suddenly Ben Franklin appears. They try to hide him from their mom and everyone else, but his curiousity gets them all into a bit of trouble. Ben is fascinated by everything in Nolan's world, from electricity to libraries.

This was a funny book that kids in grades 3-5 will most likely enjoy. There are illustrations on many pages and when Ben tells a story, Nolan imagines it in graphic novel form. I listened to the audio, so I missed most of that. I would recommend that kids read the physical book so they can enjoy all of the illustrations.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nolan's summer is pretty humdrum. His dad has moved away to London and his parents are getting a divorce. His mom has serious writer's block, and it's up to him to keep his little sister Olive occupied. But when a mysterious package arrives for Nolan, their humdrum summer suddenly gets much more eventful. After they fiddle with it a little, the strange box with H.H. on it makes some flashes and suddenly Ben Franklin is standing in the living room. Yep, that Ben Franklin. Nolan is immediately trying to figure out how to send Ben back to the past. But Olive is thrilled to show Ben Franklin all the wonders the 21st century has to offer, and Mr Franklin's curiosity is quickly getting the better of him. Before he knows it, Nolan is chasing Ben Franklin and Olive all over town trying to prevent a major catastrophe and figure out how to get Mr Franklin back to his proper time.

I knew that Candace Fleming could write spectacular nonfiction. I had no idea she was just as equally skilled in weaving a fun fictional story too. Given what we know of Ben Franklin, the hijinks that he and Olive drag Nolan into are all too believable and make for a very entertaining summer's day adventures. (And the illustrations, especially Ben's stories in graphic novel form, help make it easy to visualize.) There's Ben at the pool, Ben at the fire station, Ben at the library for the living history presentation, and of course, Ben's fascination with things like flushing toilets and toasters and light switches. To add to the excitement there's also the nosey neighbor boy bent on proving that Ben is from the past and making trouble for Nolan. Of course, along the way you learn quite a bit about the historic Ben Franklin without even realizing it. Even the bibliography gets woven into the story. There's a promise of further historic figures showing up via the machinations of the mysterious box and clever readers will be able to figure out who will show up in the next book. The box also seems to have an agenda. It isn't until Ben and Nolan learn an important lesson that Ben gets to return to his own time. If you want kids to get into history without even realizing it and pick up some important life skills too, you need to go hunt down this book and keep your book radar up for the next one in the series.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some electrical shocks and a runaway fire truck, but no one gets seriously hurt.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed an electronic version of this Kirkus reviewed book from the Libby app! This book is the first book in the "History Pals" series by Candace Fleming.
When Olive and Nolan (ages 7 and 10 respectively) discover a mysterious package left for them by the front door, they open it to find an old fashioned "crystal radio" from the 1920s. After fiddling around with it, the radio somehow makes the world go out of focus for a few moments and when everything returns to normal Ben Franklin is standing in the kitchen! This time-slip fantasy novel follows Olive and Nolan around as they travel around the town introducing Ben to all that the modern world has to offer. Many of the things they encounter we either invented by Ben or were based on Ben Franklin's ideas. They get themselves into some pretty funny situations along the way. One example would be when they visit the local library and the staff mistake Ben for a "historical guest speaker", the funnier thing is, however, that they don't even identify him as a Ben Franklin impersonator, they think he is Thomas Jefferson!
This time-slip fantasy novel brings Ben Frankin to the modern-day and provides a fun way for students to learn a little bit about the beginnings of some of the items and ideas that we enjoy in our everyday lives. The book combines elements of graphic novels (when Ben tells historical stories) as well as the elements of a traditional chapter book. Many of the stories add fictional embellishments, however, there is a section at the end of the book titled "What Nolan Knows" which aims to separate real facts from fiction within the book and provide readers with the historical context of the stories told by Ben throughout the book.
I would recommend this book to students in the 5th grade or older. This book could easily be used within a social studies classroom in order to provide context to who ben Franklin was and how his ideas helped shape the world we live in today.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Grace, age 7. 1/20/18

I love this book because it is disgusting. Ben Franklin toots all the time and he likes bathrooms. (Why?) Because they're different from his and he doesn't know how the toilet works.
(OK, let's start at the beginning. What is this book about?)
Ben Franklin. (Other characters?) Olive and Nolan : There was this box that got delivered to them, but it was actually this radio time machine thingymabob. They fidget with it for a while and then - poof - Ben Franklin's there.
(What do they learn about Ben Franklin?)
That he made the first library, he does swimming experiments, he invented lightning rods, and he did the kite experiment that I don't even know if it's true.
(What does Ben Franklin think about where they live?)
He thought it was amazing, but he doesn't like their breakfast cereal. He says it tastes like weeds and dirt. Speaking of that, in the beginning of the book Olive was pretending to be a mermaid. She told her brother "Don't just read and eat that stuff. To us mermaids it tastes like weeds and dirt!" So it was funny when Ben Franklin said the same thing. She said 'Told you!'
They took Ben Franklin to the Library, the swimming pool, and to get ice cream. Then they went to the fire department and Ben Franklin got a toy fire hat. For some reason they went riding the fire truck because Tommy Turtle stole the crystal radio time machine. They went too fast and and had to be taken home by the police. (How did they get it back) With the shock-kissing-machine. Which was harmless. But it scared Tommy.
(Did they send Ben Franklin home?)
It took such a long time. In a few days he was still there. (What did their parents think?) They were fine.
Finally when he was writing a note the crystal radio started working. Right before he went home Olive took his toy fire hat and gave it to him.
That was the end.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this debut title in a new series for young readers, Nolan and his little sister Olive get a visit from a most unlikely historical figure, Benjamin Franklin, after a mysterious radio set arrives at his house. Although Nolan has no idea who sent the package or how it works, when they jiggle some wires and press a lever, Franklin apparently travels forward in time and ends up in their house. The author has captured the famous inventor and storyteller ably here, and the youngsters end up taking him all around their hometown where he visits the library, rides in a firetruck, and leads a class of swimmers in underwater ballet. Some of it might be silly, but other aspects of the story are downright informative, and readers may feel as though they have a grasp on Franklin's personality and how he might feel if he could see the modern world. It's abundantly clear that Candace Fleming has had a blast while telling this story, which weaves in cartoons and scenes from the historical figure's life, including his experiments with swim fins and his rift with his son William over politics. It isn't easy to make someone who lived more than two centuries ago interesting to a modern audience, but this book pulls it off quite well. Readers will be anxious to see who visits Nolan's house and bathroom next. Interestingly, the sibling's mother, the author-illustrator of a children's book series, uses the Ben Franklin story as material to alleviate her writer's block. History goes down smoothly and with humor and a touch of pathos here. Wise social studies teachers will definitely plan to add this book and future titles in the series to their classroom library.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled onto this amazingly fun read because I am following the illustrator Mark Fearing's books. What a fun way to involve children in history. Nolan and Olive are trying to entertain themselves while their mother is trying to come up with an idea for her picture book series Bumble Bunnies whose deadline is fast approaching. A strange box is delivered and inside is an intricately patterned wooden box with the initials H.H. After tinkering with dials, switches and a feather, they end up with Ben Franklin appearing inside their house. The story gets funnier and more involved as little sister Olive wants to take Ben out to see their 21th century world. Ben is delighted at how his ideas have been used in his future world. He is a natural with children and a wonderful story teller. Add the earthly farting and burping and Ben's interest in toilets and this is a home run for boys. Also, there is a great deal of accurate history woven into the story and Ben also shares his unresolved estrangement with his son as he tries to get Nolan to patch things up with his dad.

The other plus side of this book is the illustrations by Mark Fearing. He is very, very good at the black and white illustrations that make this book come alive. Inserted into the story are graphic novel stories, several pages that make the stories Ben is telling come alive.

Since American history is being made unimportant I am all for anyway to get children interested in the history of our country and the lives of its founders.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curious 10-year-old Nolan is excited when he receives a mysterious package delivered to his door step. His little sister Olive can't wait to see what's inside her brother's package. It turns out to be an antique box, labeled in gold with engraved letters "Property of H.H." Before long buttons are accidentally pushed, and the machine whirls to life, and Ben Franklin bespectacled and wearing a coon skin hat emerges from the box. Told from the perspective of the siblings, Ben is amazed with their new contraptions such as the blender, toaster, television, and especially the toilet. Blending graphic novel panels and lots of cartoon like illustrations with text, lots of important examples of scientific inquiry and Franklin's many inventions are skillfully entwined in this hilarious time traveling adventure, complete with an annoying busybody young neighbor who tries to expose the true identity of their historic hero. The "What Nolan Knows" section at the end of the book is full of important facts about the history of Ben Franklin's life and his many contributions to our country. There is a bibliography in the back with up to date and appropriate titles for students research, along with two of the author's favorite web sites on Ben Franklin. Readers will gravitate to this entertaining way to learn about Ben Franklin, and demand more titles by her in the same format, highly recommended for all elementary libraries.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like a book that was written in 1987 not 2017. It was outdated and full of the kind of things that would have been okay thirty years ago, but children's literature has come too far to get away with some of the crud in this book. My biggest gripe was how things would just happen, poof Ben appears and poof he goes back to his time period. The way this came about had zero backings behind it, seemed like a literary cop-out to me. There were a lot of other instances in which the time wasn't taken to explain how certain things happened, the reader was just supposed to accept it. The book had that Disney channel tween comedy feel to it, but if this was the pilot episode they for sure wouldn't make another one. I appreciate that some effort was given to bring in a few of the things about Franklin's history, but it's never a good sign when you need a whole section at the end of a book justifying that what you wrote was true. If I'm being honest as I was reading these facts within the story they were written in a way that made the reader second guess if these facts were actually true (and I was in Philadephia at the Ben Franklin Museum about a year ago and had just learned about everything that was brought up in this book and I still doubted the author because of the way these facts were presented).

For something that could have been funny and packed full of information, it ended up being more of an unbelieveable dud.

[Rebekah Kroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom!
By: Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Mark Fearing

Published: 2017
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books

Nolan and Olive’s morning was about to change when a package arrived at their house. It contained a crystal radio set from the 1920s. Nolan and his sister’s inquisitiveness gets the better of them as they try to make the radio work when the unthinkable happens! Benjamin Franklin appears in the middle of the living room! Nolan, Olive, and Ben Franklin explore advancements of the 21st century, “I shan’t waste this precious opportunity.” Ben Franklin is amazed to see his early experiments with electricity have led to many more inventions. Mark Fearing’s black and white illustrations are scattered throughout the chapter book, providing visual imagery for the scenes. The stories told by Ben Franklin are written in graphic novel format, as imagined by Nolan. Stories of the crazy inventor of Philadelphia, the first library, invention of swim fins, and may more! This book brings two completely different centuries together to learn from one another in a humorous, insightful, and developmentally appropriate way. Fleming truly knows how to bring history to life for middle level readers. Quoting Nolan’s teacher, “We learn from the past how to live in the present.” Who knows, someone else might be brought to the 21st century through the crystal radio set.

[BiblioBickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nolan (10) and Olive (7) are having breakfast one morning, trying to be quiet while their mother, an author, works on a deadline upstairs in her studio, when a package for Nolan appears mysteriously on the front stoop. The package contains an old wooden box with the initials H.H., and inside is an "old-timey radio." But it's no ordinary radio; the crystal glows brighter and brighter, and all of a sudden, Ben Franklin is standing in their hallway. They have many adventures showing Ben the modern world, complicated by the self-styled private eye, Tommy Tuttle. Eventually, Ben tells Nolan about the rift between his son William and him, which clears the way for him to return home and helps Nolan decide to video-call his dad, who moved to England after the parents divorced. A sequel is set up with what appears to be Eleanor Roosevelt appearing in the closet where the time machine/radio is stowed. Includes facts and bibliography at the end. Ben's stories are told in graphic format interspersed with the regular text.

Basically, Magic Tree House for 3rd and 4th graders (a little more realistic fiction life mixed in with learning about different historical people).

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fleming, Candace Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom! 264 pages. Schwartz & Wade Books (Random), 2017. $14. Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Ten year-old Nolan and his seven year-old sister, Olive, are trying to keep out of trouble so their mother can work through writer’s block on her next installment of the Bumble Bunnies series. But then a mysterious package shows up on their doorstep that contains some sort of machine. That machine brings Ben Franklin into their kitchen. Ben seems delighted with all the latest and greatest gadgets, from toaster to toilet. Nolan realizes that Ben must return to the past, but is thwarted by classmate, Tommy Tuttle, who just happens to be peering into the kitchen via periscope. While Nolan tries to deal with Tommy, Olive and Ben take off through town on an adventure.

Interspersed through the story are stories told by Ben Franklin in graphic novel format. These are interesting, and are documented in the back of the book. These segments save the book from being too cute and convenient.

EL-OPTIONAL. Michelle in the Middle
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We learn from the past how to live in the present."

Nolan is trying his best to hold his family together since his Dad has left. He keeps an eye on younger sister, Olive, even though she's annoying, so that their mother can write her books (the Bumble Bunnies series. He even tries to help her out of her writer's block by dressing up as a bunny.

So when the package arrives on their front porch, Nolan doesn't want to bother his mother about it. It is addressed to him, after all. It looks like an old-time radio with the initials H.H. Who would send this package to him? There's no note or return address. Then, it starts to make a static-like noises, so Nolan puts the headphones on. And that's when Benjamin Franklin appears.

Now what? You can't have Benjamin Franklin running around the 21st century, can you? And if anyone finds out about this time-travel instrument, who knows what might happen. But Olive wants to show Ben around the city. And then there's Tommy Tuttle, who's always spying from the bushes. How much has he seen? Suffice it to say, this day just might go down in history.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of Candace Fleming who seems to be able to transcend genres and ages, I picked up Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom. It is an easy to read accessible and acceptable chapter book with graphic support including the use of internal graphic stories about Ben's life. The mother in the book is a children's author with a bit of writers block so that can be used in writing mini-lessons. The main characters are a brother and sister who are sent a special crystal radio that can reach back in time and bring forth people from that time. In this book (which could e just a start of a series) it is Ben Franklin, so the reader learns about Ben Franklin as they watch Ben Franklin become enamored with the 21st century. His quotes and accomplishments are scattered throughout the book with some historical explanations in the end notes. It is a good hybrid blend of fiction and information and would be a good addition to classroom collections and a fun read aloud during a revolutionary times study/

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and finished a few days ago. I was hoping to take a look at the book (which based on reading the goodreads description i gather has some graphic novelesque pages) before reviewing, but am realizing as I wait to see the book I am forgetting what happened.
My real rating would be 3.5, because in general it seemed fairly average, but am rounding up because I do think that kids would read it and enjoy it.
The concept was cool and I liked the historical aspects, the way Ben Franklin's ideas have shaped the modern world.
The narrator was pretty good, and it was easy to listen to, and at what I am presuming were the pages with pictures/graphics there were sound effects and it was made to seem more like an audio play.
It did seem a little rushed and unbelievable in a way, but it was still enjoyable. I feel the characters could be a little more developed, but perhaps that will come.
It was a cute book and as I said, I do think kids would enjoy it and that's why I am giving it a 4.

[Deana Metzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten year old Nolan gets a mysterious package on his doorstep that looks like a old radio. Once he and his younger sister tinker around with it, something happens, and they end up with Ben Franklin in their house! The rest of the book is about how they introduce Mr. Franklin to all the advances that exist in the 21st century, all while attempting to conceal his actual identity.

This book would be great for that student who adores graphic novels, but you want to try to transition them to novels. Nolan, our main character, is the same way, so when Ben Franklin starts telling stories, Nolan pictures it as a graphic novel, so there are graphic short stories throughout the book. Also, this book would be great for kids who are into history and even into inventions/creations. I felt that the secondary story about Nolan's parents divorcing and his feelings about his dad were lacking a little more depth, but otherwise, this was a winner.

I'd recommend it for 3rd-5th graders.

[Fyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this at the library and had to see what it was about. It's been a while since I've finished a book in one sitting (last summer, to be precise) but this one was a quick read and very fun. I love it when historical fiction weaves fact into the story, which this did very well through a chaotic day out with Benjamin Franklin. I actually did learn some that I didn't know, like he was a swimmer, so that's the mark of a good book in my opinion. The time machine is really awesome, based off of a crystal radio with years as kHz, and I seriously want to learn more about how that works.

Another bonus is the book ends with a historical note written in the voice of the narrator, which expands on some of the things mentioned, and a bibliography. And some good-natured jabs at us in the historical education business.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't expect to have as much fun with this one (and the counterpart that I'll be reviewing in just a minute) with its mix of history and humor. And I'm a fan of the series title: History Pals.

Because she had written about Benjamin Franklin, his fun, discovery, and foibles, some of the information discovered in this middle grade I had already known (as of the recent reading of Fleming's other only) and then was reinforced in this family story.

Two siblings get a device delivered to their doorstep and with a few touches, they end up bringing Ben Franklin into their home. They travel around their area in Ohio highlighting the "inventions" like a firehouse and a library while also sharing that Ben Franklin farted a lot and talked about its importance.

The story is just as important as the history and they combine entertainingly well with the dotted illustrations throughout.

[Donna Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

With an old-fashioned crystal radio that mysteriously appears on his doorstep, Nolan brings Benjamin Franklin through time into the present. Along with Nolan's sister, Olive, Franklin explores the town, seeing what has become of his grand ideas such as libraries, fire stations, and (of course) electricity. But will he get home before Nolan's meddling neighbor Tommy Tuttle finds out too much?

Franklin's adventures (and misadventures) are funny and told well. Interspersed throughout are graphic novel-style renderings of the stories Franklin tells about his adventures with electricity, creating libraries, and inventing swim fins. The back of the book includes more information on these stories and a bibliography for students to read more if they wish.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I read this together and we loved it. He is still a little young for all of Ben Franklin's accomplishments, but he learned about a lot of them in a funny way while reading this book.
Siblings find a package on their door step and before you know it, Ben Franklin has wound up in their home. Nolan wants to get Ben back to his place in time quickly but Olive, Nolan's sister, wants to indulge him in all the cool things in the present. Ben can't help but explore some of the future before going home. It would have been easier if they didn't have a snoopy kid who won't rest until he finds out the truth, not to mention the fact that two kids are following a old guy dressed in colonial attire all over town.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel back in time with History Pals series. This story combines the best elements of story telling and graphic novels depending on who is telling the story. When Ben Franklin is imparting colonial stories, the stories appear in graphic novel format. The rest of the story focuses on a responsible older brother and his impulsive younger sister and how they each respond to Benjamin Franklin showing up in their home in the 21st century. This leads to adventures both big and small with a little history thrown in to keep things exciting. The book also includes a bibliography and websites for additional research about Benjamin Franklin, founding father.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "crystal radio" appears on Nolan's doorstep. His little sister Olive is excited. As they fiddle with it, Ben Franklin appears in their home. Olive is a wonderful hostess and Ben takes being in the 21st century well and is interested in modern conveniences, their library, swimming pool, and fire station. So we have a bit of comparison. Some scientific cleverness is needed to get Ben home, because someone has stolen the "radio".
The modern times vs. colonial times comparisons are fun, especially the reactions of people they meet around town.
Readers grades 2-5 would enjoy most.