What do you think?
Rate this book
Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt!
Today's preeminent biographer for young people brings to life our colorful 26th president. Conservationist, hunter, family man, and politician, Teddy Roosevelt commanded the respect and admiration of many who marveled at his energy, drive and achievements. An ALA Notable Book. A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
38 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Jean Fritz
93 books156 followersJean Guttery Fritz was an American children's writer best known for American biography and history. She won the Children's Legacy Literature Award for her career contribution to American children's literature in 1986. She turned 100 in November 2015 and died in May 2017 at the age of 101.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Read
April 26, 2016Biography
Title: Bully for you, Teddy Roosevelt
Author: Jean Fritz
Illustrator: Mike Wimmer
Genre: Biography (Chapter Book)
Theme(s): Biography, Non-fiction, Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, Exploration & Adventures
Opening line/sentence: What did Theodore Roosevelt want to do? Everything. And all at once if possible.
Brief Book Summary: This biography follows the life of our twenty-sixth president, Theodore Roosevelt. It discusses his conservation, hunting expeditions, family life, and political life.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Norine Odland (The Five Owls, September/October 1991 (Vol. 6, No. 1)) A new biography from Jean Fritz is likely to raise expectations of one more chance to get to know an important historical figure.Teddy Roosevelt is no exception to Fritz's usual combination of reliable information and a style that fits the personality of the person about whom she is writing. There is a tendency to read the book rapidly, because the man was doing so much in so many places--the reader has the feeling of reading to keep up with him. The text begins with Roosevelt's childhood, when he was limited in his activities because he was a "sickly" child. The connection between his health and his activities in later life is demonstrated by the author. His going to explore the river in South America and his fascination with the Badlands of the Dakotas are examples of his far-ranging enterprises. His attitude toward war is related to the fact that his father did not fight for the North in the Civil War because his mother was from the South. Teddy (he did not like that form of his name) is believed to have based his fervent patriotism on his need to prove his allegiance to his country. Politics and the presidency are included but not emphasized. There are references to his children, but their antics are not a predominant part of the text. All of the pictures are full page, no type on the reverse. There are no captions under the pictures, but each picture does show a portrait of Roosevelt in the setting in which he is being discussed. These eight black-and-white drawings are more art than illustration. At the end of the book readers will find an afterword, notes, bibliography, and an index. The format of the book, as well as the need for some background in American history, indicate that potential readers will be mature and informed, probably in middle school and older. 1991, Putnam, $15.95. Ages 10 up. (PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1991.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1991)
Concluding her first chapter with the death of Roosevelt's father while Roosevelt was still at Harvard, Fritz includes a telling quote ("I felt stunned...he was everything to me"), then telegraphs her theme in her uniquely lucid, succinct style: "In his distress,Teddy may have felt that....his boyhood was gone. If so, he would have been wrong. [He] would always be a boy. And...his father would always be looking over his shoulder." With judicious balance, Fritz surveys the salient facts-- Roosevelt's political rise, his groundbreaking work as reformer and environmentalist, his sturdy militarism-- illuminating them with revealing incidents especially interesting to young readers, from his early interest in natural history (at seven, he was diligently recording animals' measurements; he learned taxidermy just a few years later) to his indulgence toward his children's White House escapades. Each entrancing detail contributes to the larger picture of Roosevelt: active, imaginative, indefatigable, a man who left law school when he found that law "had less to do with justice than he thought it should" and diverted himself from grief with hard work. This colorful, idiosyncratic President, long a biographers' favorite, has never been portrayed with more beguiling wit, precision, and honesty. An excellent book, one of Fritz's best. Notes; bibliography; index. Illustrations Not Seen. 1991, Putnam, $15.95. Starred Review. © 1991 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. (PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1991.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of the reviewers really liked how the book went through Teddy Roosevelt’s whole life. They thought that students would engage with his different early life adventures and find them interesting. The second reviewer discusses the balance between facts of Roosevelt’s later life and the description of adventures in his early life.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This biography is filled with information, pictures, and facts. The facts are then bolstered with an afterword, notes, index, and bibliography in the back of the books. The books starts out with the birth of Theodore Roosevelt. It goes along his whole life from boyhood to young adulthood to being president. The chronological order provides a good timeline for students to follow.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would have this book available during any project dealing with a biographies or writing about “famous people”. This wouldn’t necessarily be a read aloud. It would be available for research and further information for interested students.
Title: Bully for you, Teddy Roosevelt
Author: Jean Fritz
Illustrator: Mike Wimmer
Genre: Biography (Chapter Book)
Theme(s): Biography, Non-fiction, Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, Exploration & Adventures
Opening line/sentence: What did Theodore Roosevelt want to do? Everything. And all at once if possible.
Brief Book Summary: This biography follows the life of our twenty-sixth president, Theodore Roosevelt. It discusses his conservation, hunting expeditions, family life, and political life.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Norine Odland (The Five Owls, September/October 1991 (Vol. 6, No. 1)) A new biography from Jean Fritz is likely to raise expectations of one more chance to get to know an important historical figure.Teddy Roosevelt is no exception to Fritz's usual combination of reliable information and a style that fits the personality of the person about whom she is writing. There is a tendency to read the book rapidly, because the man was doing so much in so many places--the reader has the feeling of reading to keep up with him. The text begins with Roosevelt's childhood, when he was limited in his activities because he was a "sickly" child. The connection between his health and his activities in later life is demonstrated by the author. His going to explore the river in South America and his fascination with the Badlands of the Dakotas are examples of his far-ranging enterprises. His attitude toward war is related to the fact that his father did not fight for the North in the Civil War because his mother was from the South. Teddy (he did not like that form of his name) is believed to have based his fervent patriotism on his need to prove his allegiance to his country. Politics and the presidency are included but not emphasized. There are references to his children, but their antics are not a predominant part of the text. All of the pictures are full page, no type on the reverse. There are no captions under the pictures, but each picture does show a portrait of Roosevelt in the setting in which he is being discussed. These eight black-and-white drawings are more art than illustration. At the end of the book readers will find an afterword, notes, bibliography, and an index. The format of the book, as well as the need for some background in American history, indicate that potential readers will be mature and informed, probably in middle school and older. 1991, Putnam, $15.95. Ages 10 up. (PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1991.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1991)
Concluding her first chapter with the death of Roosevelt's father while Roosevelt was still at Harvard, Fritz includes a telling quote ("I felt stunned...he was everything to me"), then telegraphs her theme in her uniquely lucid, succinct style: "In his distress,Teddy may have felt that....his boyhood was gone. If so, he would have been wrong. [He] would always be a boy. And...his father would always be looking over his shoulder." With judicious balance, Fritz surveys the salient facts-- Roosevelt's political rise, his groundbreaking work as reformer and environmentalist, his sturdy militarism-- illuminating them with revealing incidents especially interesting to young readers, from his early interest in natural history (at seven, he was diligently recording animals' measurements; he learned taxidermy just a few years later) to his indulgence toward his children's White House escapades. Each entrancing detail contributes to the larger picture of Roosevelt: active, imaginative, indefatigable, a man who left law school when he found that law "had less to do with justice than he thought it should" and diverted himself from grief with hard work. This colorful, idiosyncratic President, long a biographers' favorite, has never been portrayed with more beguiling wit, precision, and honesty. An excellent book, one of Fritz's best. Notes; bibliography; index. Illustrations Not Seen. 1991, Putnam, $15.95. Starred Review. © 1991 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. (PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1991.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of the reviewers really liked how the book went through Teddy Roosevelt’s whole life. They thought that students would engage with his different early life adventures and find them interesting. The second reviewer discusses the balance between facts of Roosevelt’s later life and the description of adventures in his early life.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This biography is filled with information, pictures, and facts. The facts are then bolstered with an afterword, notes, index, and bibliography in the back of the books. The books starts out with the birth of Theodore Roosevelt. It goes along his whole life from boyhood to young adulthood to being president. The chronological order provides a good timeline for students to follow.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would have this book available during any project dealing with a biographies or writing about “famous people”. This wouldn’t necessarily be a read aloud. It would be available for research and further information for interested students.
December 5, 2019
As soon as I hit the first page of this book I knew right away that this was going to be one of the best books that I have ever read since it was about one of our greatest people in history that we have ever had.Teddy Roosevelt is told to be one of the strangest people or presidents that the United States has ever had. Although one of the greatest he has had one of the strangest backgrounds and strangest things that this man has done. There are recordings of him going on long hiking trips where he has gone missing and never come back. Overall Teddy Roosevelt is an interesting man and to learn more strange and interesting things about this great human being then I highly recommend this book for all people out there, because you will all love it.
November 13, 2012
Part of a series entitled Unforgettable Americans, originally published by Penguin, this the second book by Jean Fritz I've reviewed. If I'd read this one first, I wouldn't have bothered reading the first and neigher should you, or your children!
If you, dear reader, were educated in a time when facts mattered, you will be distressed, and appalled when you read that an "emergency" caused Teddy to sue J.P. Morgan because he'd taken control of "all the northwestern railroad companies." J.P. Morgan took over three of the transcontinental raillroads during the Panic of 1878 when those publicly subsidized railroads defaulted. The man, James J. Hill that whipped the remaining two into shape and cut costs - thus embarrassing the feds - was, along with E.H. Harriman, one of Roosevelt's targets in 1902. Recall that William McKinley refused to sue Northern Securities National Securities, no doubt because Hill's cost cutting kept the railroads running and lowered costs to the consumers! J.P. Morgan was merely an investor in the holding company.
Contrast that with Fritz's version: "Teddy didn't need to look for ways to put his ideas into action. One after another, emergencies arose where he sould step in and assume leadership. When the great financier J.P. Morgan took control of all the northwestern rairoad companies, President Roosevelt instructed his attorney general to file a suit." See Albro Martin, James J. Hill and the Opening of the Northwest(New York: Oxford University Press, 1976) for the full story about why bailouts by the fed are a bad idea. You'll learn why James J. Hill was not a popular guy with the feds.
.
What actually happened was that the government claimed, despite no evidence of higher prices, that the formation of such a company formed a "threat" to create a monopoly, and for the first time the government acted on commerce as a potential threat as opposed to actual behavior, violating the "innocent until proven guilty" premise of American law. Merging railroads made economic sense - lower fares for passengers. The Supreme Court did approve the merger of railroads it held as potentially dangerous monopolies, thus reversing itself - in 1955.
U.S. Steel, the nation's first billion dollar corporation, owes its rise to the Sherman Antitrust Act. See Naomi Lamoureaux, The Great Merger Movement in American Business, 1895-1904(Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press, 1985) and Louis Galambos and Joseph C. Pratt, The Rise of the Corporate Commonwealth: U.S. Business and Public Policy in the Twentieth Century(New York: Basic Books, 1988) You won't find either of those books - or anything in the least critical of Teddy at the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
You won't find a copy of Teddy's January 3, 1913, to Charles B. Davenport, Department of Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, first paragraph:
"Society has no business to permit degenerates to reproduce their kind...Any group of farmers who permitted their best stock not to breed and all the increase come from the worst stock, would be treated as fit inmates for the asylum...Some day we will realize that the prime duty, the inescapable duty of the good citizens of the right type is to leave his or her blood behind him in the world; and that we have no business to permit the perpetuation of citizens of the wrong type. The great problem of civilization is to secure a relative increase of the valuable as opposed with the less valuable or noxious elements of the population...The problem cannot be met unless we give full consideration to the immense influence of heredity...
I wish very much that the wrong people could be prevented entirely from breeding; and when the evil nature of these people is sufficiently flagrant this should be done. Criminals should be sterilized and feebleminded persons forbidden to leave offspring behind them. The emphasis should be laid on getting desirable people to breed..."
Think Davenport was the only eugenicist promoted by Roosevelt? Madison Grant is the only one admired by both Teddy, and Adolf, yes, THAT Adolf. Grant's 1916 The Passing of the Great Race merited a fan letter from Hitler in 1925. You'll love Teddy's glowing review in the February 1917 issue of Scribner's: "The book is a capital book, in purpose, in vision, in grasp of the facts our people most need to realize. It shows a habit of single serious thought on the subject most commanding importance. It shows a fine fearlessness in assailing the popular and mischievous sentimentalities and attractive and corroding falsehoods which few men dare assail. It is the work of an American scholar and gentleman, and all Americans should be sincerely grateful to you for writing it."
Charles Benedict Davenport, from an Abolitionist and Puritan background, is responsible for 60,000 deaths, according to Edwin Black's War Against the Weak: America's Campaign to Create A Master Race, p. 293 Mr. Black convincingly documents the beginning of Europe's Holocaust with Davenport's laboratory on Long Island.
Lyman Beecher and Charles Davenport, both puritan and abolitionist, and fascist avant l'heure are unforgettable - infamously so. Oddly, enough, the asthmatic, puny, and weak-eyed Teddy fit Davenport and Grant's criteria for extermination - if one is thinking strictly in terms of animal husbandry. Plainly, they were not.
Fritz does a grave disservice to her young readers in ignoring the evil produced by the philosophy Roosevelt promoted. Shame on her and shame on anyone who gave this book a positive review. If failure to remember the past means we are bound to repeat it, another Holocaust awaits.
March 21, 2012
The biography novel Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt by Jean Fritz gives numerous detailed descriptions of Teddy Roosevelt’s life. In the story, the author explained his work, political career, family life, physical limitations, and activities that he enjoyed partaking in. Throughout the story, you are able to get a feel about how Teddy was shaped into the president he became.
The biography was able to expand the reader’s awareness by letting them take a walk in Teddy Roosevelt’s shoes. By getting the perspective of Roosevelt, the reader is able to understand his struggle/determination when becoming president as well as give him empathy when he lost his father and the struggle of his limitation. The biography provides an enjoyable read that includes teaching a moral of appreciating what you have and following your dreams. This is shown by Roosevelt becoming president and not allowing his physical limitations hold him back. Furthermore, the biography tells the truth by using true to life characters and accurate insight that relate to human experiences of striving through life and appreciating what you have. For example, Roosevelt is not just a made up character therefore he is true to life which the story was able to unveil the insight of his life and relate to readers by showing them the moral clearly. The biography meets the criteria of embodying qualities because the description of Roosevelt’s life is telling by use of precise words. The plot is also convincing and the characters are believable due to the story being true to life. Furthermore, the biography has integrity because it brings the literature works into making a satisfying whole. Finally, the biography meets the criteria of being original because the story gives the readers a new way to think about the world through the moral of appreciation.
I enjoyed the story because it used detailed descriptions that were able to interest me even though I dislike biographies. The drive that Teddy Roosevelt had struck me because it showed me that no matter what holds you back if you can dream it, you can do it. I believe the biography is somewhat relatable to my life because I never faced the struggle of having a disability nor the drive to become president. However, I was able to relate to the moral of the story by being able to appreciate what I have. Furthermore, I would use the book in my classroom to show students that if you can dream it you can accomplish it just like Teddy Roosevelt did.
The biography was able to expand the reader’s awareness by letting them take a walk in Teddy Roosevelt’s shoes. By getting the perspective of Roosevelt, the reader is able to understand his struggle/determination when becoming president as well as give him empathy when he lost his father and the struggle of his limitation. The biography provides an enjoyable read that includes teaching a moral of appreciating what you have and following your dreams. This is shown by Roosevelt becoming president and not allowing his physical limitations hold him back. Furthermore, the biography tells the truth by using true to life characters and accurate insight that relate to human experiences of striving through life and appreciating what you have. For example, Roosevelt is not just a made up character therefore he is true to life which the story was able to unveil the insight of his life and relate to readers by showing them the moral clearly. The biography meets the criteria of embodying qualities because the description of Roosevelt’s life is telling by use of precise words. The plot is also convincing and the characters are believable due to the story being true to life. Furthermore, the biography has integrity because it brings the literature works into making a satisfying whole. Finally, the biography meets the criteria of being original because the story gives the readers a new way to think about the world through the moral of appreciation.
I enjoyed the story because it used detailed descriptions that were able to interest me even though I dislike biographies. The drive that Teddy Roosevelt had struck me because it showed me that no matter what holds you back if you can dream it, you can do it. I believe the biography is somewhat relatable to my life because I never faced the struggle of having a disability nor the drive to become president. However, I was able to relate to the moral of the story by being able to appreciate what I have. Furthermore, I would use the book in my classroom to show students that if you can dream it you can accomplish it just like Teddy Roosevelt did.
April 1, 2012
"Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt!" by Jean Fritz was a very good book. This book described about Teddy Roosevelts life. This book starts out telling us about Teddy's childhood and how he grew up trying to be the best he could be and be strong. Then we lean about Teddy's personal life and about his first love. Once we learn about Teddy's personal life we learn about the political career of Teddy Roosevelt. The book ends at the end of President Roosevelts final term.
This book was very accurate in its presentation of information. Most of the information from this book was factualy. An example of this is how President Roosevelt got in to his first term as president. Also all of President Roosevelt's nicknames like teddy bear. The information is presented in an organized way because the books starts out in Presidents Roosevelts childhook and ends when President Roosevelt is finishing up his final term in office when he is in his 50's. Im not sure if this book is really appealing to children. If there is a child who likes to learn about history he or she would probaly like this book. I think an adult or an older child would enjoy this book more than a younger child. I believe this just due to the fact of all the factual information of President Roosevelt's life. The authors writting style is very clear. The words were very simple and easy to understand. The author does create enthusiasm because at the end of each chapter the reader is left hanging wondering what next President Roosevelt is going to do in his life.
I thought this was a great book. I liked how throughout the book as a reader you just wonder what President Roosevelt is going to do next. One thing that struck me about this book was how all of the information was so historical and factual. The text was very believable. I would use this book in a class to introduce a history lesson on our countries presidents. This book would help to display a little information on Teddy Roosevelt. I can relate this book to my life because throughout life I am always trying to accomplish something new like Teddy Roosevelt. Also I really like to hunt like Teddy Roosevelt.
This book was very accurate in its presentation of information. Most of the information from this book was factualy. An example of this is how President Roosevelt got in to his first term as president. Also all of President Roosevelt's nicknames like teddy bear. The information is presented in an organized way because the books starts out in Presidents Roosevelts childhook and ends when President Roosevelt is finishing up his final term in office when he is in his 50's. Im not sure if this book is really appealing to children. If there is a child who likes to learn about history he or she would probaly like this book. I think an adult or an older child would enjoy this book more than a younger child. I believe this just due to the fact of all the factual information of President Roosevelt's life. The authors writting style is very clear. The words were very simple and easy to understand. The author does create enthusiasm because at the end of each chapter the reader is left hanging wondering what next President Roosevelt is going to do in his life.
I thought this was a great book. I liked how throughout the book as a reader you just wonder what President Roosevelt is going to do next. One thing that struck me about this book was how all of the information was so historical and factual. The text was very believable. I would use this book in a class to introduce a history lesson on our countries presidents. This book would help to display a little information on Teddy Roosevelt. I can relate this book to my life because throughout life I am always trying to accomplish something new like Teddy Roosevelt. Also I really like to hunt like Teddy Roosevelt.
April 23, 2012
The author of this book does a wonderful job portraying the life of Teddy Roosevelt in a realistic, yet lively way. This book starts with Teddy as a young childhood and goes through his life into an elder adult. We see young, sick little Teddy blossom into the entergetic, hunting, loving husband, and president he became.
The information is written accurately. It provides actual dates and events that have been documented as real-life events. The information is presented in an organized way. The author starts at the beginning of Teddy's life, and goes through the end of his life in a clear and interesting way. The format is very interesting and I believe it would be interesting to children as well. It includes pictures and photos, and is informational without sounding like a textbook. The author's writing is clear and very easy to follow and understand. The author does a great job making young Teddy relatable to younger children, who can then aspire to do great things when they grow older, just like Teddy did.
I would assign my class to read this not only to learn about their 26th President, but to see that anyone can become great. Even if they have an illness or disability, they can inpact the world.
The information is written accurately. It provides actual dates and events that have been documented as real-life events. The information is presented in an organized way. The author starts at the beginning of Teddy's life, and goes through the end of his life in a clear and interesting way. The format is very interesting and I believe it would be interesting to children as well. It includes pictures and photos, and is informational without sounding like a textbook. The author's writing is clear and very easy to follow and understand. The author does a great job making young Teddy relatable to younger children, who can then aspire to do great things when they grow older, just like Teddy did.
I would assign my class to read this not only to learn about their 26th President, but to see that anyone can become great. Even if they have an illness or disability, they can inpact the world.
April 2, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although, I knew some things about Teddy Roosevelt, this book made me realize how little I knew about him. He was certainly a dynamo! And a man who didn't let adversity hold him back. It is an overview, so it moves quickly through his life, but covers a lot of ground. At the end, I felt like I had a much better understanding of his personality and his perseverance.
The book is labelled for 10-14 year olds. Depending on the child, I might aim it for 12 and up, if they're reading it themself. For a read-aloud together, possibly younger than 10. It does talk about war, so be prepared for that. (I'm a "mature" adult, and found the book engaging and a definite keeper.)
The book is labelled for 10-14 year olds. Depending on the child, I might aim it for 12 and up, if they're reading it themself. For a read-aloud together, possibly younger than 10. It does talk about war, so be prepared for that. (I'm a "mature" adult, and found the book engaging and a definite keeper.)
August 11, 2022
A good biography for kids.
September 3, 2023
Der amerikanischte Amerikaner
November 13, 2017
A chapter book biography of US President Teddy Roosevelt aimed at middle graders.
This is succinct but sufficient. It tells all of Roosevelt's major accomplishments, introduces his family members, and allows you to get to know the man from his childhood to his death. It is a super quick read, and given that other biographers have been able to spend whole books on just a section of Roosevelt's life, you know this is just the basic facts. But it still gives you a good taste of who Roosevelt was from author to conservationist to soldier to outdoorsman to politician bent on sniffing out corruption. When you think about it, that's quite an amazing piece of work Fritz has accomplished. Anyone can ramble on for pages about someone. Not everyone can consolidate their obvious depth of research into a mere 120-ish pages and keep it engaging for kids. I have the Who Was...? biography of Roosevelt to read too, and I'll be curious to compare them.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some animal hunting and taxidermy is mentioned but it isn't gory. (Roosevelt's brushes with death from assassination attempts and accidents are left out except for a brief mention of his Amazon expedition and poor condition upon returning.) Some Spanish-American war battles are a bit described, deaths happening and affecting others are mentioned but a bloody stream full of the dead is the most gory part. No in depth descriptions of battle wounds.
This is succinct but sufficient. It tells all of Roosevelt's major accomplishments, introduces his family members, and allows you to get to know the man from his childhood to his death. It is a super quick read, and given that other biographers have been able to spend whole books on just a section of Roosevelt's life, you know this is just the basic facts. But it still gives you a good taste of who Roosevelt was from author to conservationist to soldier to outdoorsman to politician bent on sniffing out corruption. When you think about it, that's quite an amazing piece of work Fritz has accomplished. Anyone can ramble on for pages about someone. Not everyone can consolidate their obvious depth of research into a mere 120-ish pages and keep it engaging for kids. I have the Who Was...? biography of Roosevelt to read too, and I'll be curious to compare them.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some animal hunting and taxidermy is mentioned but it isn't gory. (Roosevelt's brushes with death from assassination attempts and accidents are left out except for a brief mention of his Amazon expedition and poor condition upon returning.) Some Spanish-American war battles are a bit described, deaths happening and affecting others are mentioned but a bloody stream full of the dead is the most gory part. No in depth descriptions of battle wounds.
December 10, 2014
This book was written about the life of Theodore (a.k.a., “Teddy” or “T.R.”) Roosevelt, Jr. who was born on October 27, 1858 in New York, NY to a wealthy, aristocratic family, and it continues through the many adventures in his life to his death on January 6, 1919. The first chapter told of his early childhood, his relationship with his father, and his struggles with asthma. The book continued with his admission to Harvard College / University, his first marriage, political service as a New York Assemblyman, Civil Service Officer, New York Governor, and eventually has President of the United States. As a boy, Theodore Roosevelt suffered from asthma and had much difficulty breathing. His parents did what they could to help him. But, one day his father said to him, “You have the mind of a strong lion, but not the body; so, you must work to make your body as strong as your mind.” He did just that and his life can be described as full of adventure, determination, intelligence, and justice. Upon his death, his son could only describe his father’s death in words larger than man, stating “the old lion is dead”. This book was very full of interesting information about Theodore Roosevelt, from the voice of a narrator, but also including quotes from his own words or people who knew him.
November 16, 2011
This book is about Theodore Roosevelt's life. When he was a child, he had many disease. He was always sick, and he had asthma, so he can't breathe well as a young kid. Teddy, did get home-schooled instead of learning things in a public school. He became a naturalist and married a woman. His wife died, so he had only a son left in his family. He did eventually married again and became a politician. He was very unsuccessful and he became a governor, followed by the vice-president. Teddy Roosevelt did become a president when the previous president, William died. As years passed quickly for him, he had grown up as a strong man. He did continue hunting animals, climbing mountains, and exploring lands until he died.
What I think about this story of Theodore Roosevelt is that it does give a nice introduction about Roosevelt and how he was a successful person throughout his life. Jean Fritz also shows Teddy's hardships and accomplishments in a very intelligent way. I am thinking that this book should be suitable for people who likes to read simple history of Teddy Roosevelt and maybe young readers at middle school can read this also. I think that this book can be interesting to those, who do not know Teddy Roosevelt.
What I think about this story of Theodore Roosevelt is that it does give a nice introduction about Roosevelt and how he was a successful person throughout his life. Jean Fritz also shows Teddy's hardships and accomplishments in a very intelligent way. I am thinking that this book should be suitable for people who likes to read simple history of Teddy Roosevelt and maybe young readers at middle school can read this also. I think that this book can be interesting to those, who do not know Teddy Roosevelt.
Read
April 23, 2012Jean Fritz does a great job going through the life of Teddy Roosevelt. This book goes through his life from early childhood well into adulthood. We learn several interesting facts about him during the journey of his historical life such as sicknesses as well as being a husband then President. He also loved to hunt and explore during leasure time. He was a very fascinating person in all of the history of the united states.
I think Teddy Roosevelt is very intriguing and would be an interesting read for anybody. Fritz does an excellent job making the book so that young readers can identify with Roosevelt because of everything he went through. The information given to the reader is accurate right down to diseases and hobbies he had. The book is also written well so that the reader stays interested and doesnt get bored of the story which is a credit to Fritz.
Although Teddy Roosevelts life is interesting nomatter how its written this would be a good book to read in a classroom to teach about our presidents of the united states. On a more specified approach to just teach about Roosevelt as a person and to show there is much more to a President than what takes place in the White House. All students who read this book wont be dissapointed and will truely enjoy it.
I think Teddy Roosevelt is very intriguing and would be an interesting read for anybody. Fritz does an excellent job making the book so that young readers can identify with Roosevelt because of everything he went through. The information given to the reader is accurate right down to diseases and hobbies he had. The book is also written well so that the reader stays interested and doesnt get bored of the story which is a credit to Fritz.
Although Teddy Roosevelts life is interesting nomatter how its written this would be a good book to read in a classroom to teach about our presidents of the united states. On a more specified approach to just teach about Roosevelt as a person and to show there is much more to a President than what takes place in the White House. All students who read this book wont be dissapointed and will truely enjoy it.
August 5, 2018
I really didn't know much about Theodore Roosevelt before I read this. I'd often heard his "Speak softly and carry a big stick" quote and I had known he was a hunter and conservationist. I learned quite a bit about the president from the book and what I learned, I liked! He seems like a fun president and I love him to bits. I thought the book was well-written and it was short enough for children to read without getting too bogged down in details. I admire Roosevelt's endless supply of energy and passion for life. I also loved his stance on conservation. He started the environmental movement of setting aside parks and curbing the indiscriminate hunting of animals. He was an avid hunter, but recognized that species could disappear if we weren't careful. He also recognized that balance was necessary in politics and tried not to let the labor camp or the corporations get too strong. Overall, I'd vote for him. :)
April 16, 2008
When we think of President Theodore Roosevelt what else do we think of? Most likely a little fuzzy teddy bear next to its namesake. But there really is so much more to Teddy Roosevelt than just that. This story by wonderful writer, Jean Fritz, tells more than that which we already know and can assume, but tells the details and the why behind things that happened the way they did. I loved this book and now think of Teddy with a whole new light.
June 22, 2011
This is one of the best biographies for kids I have read in a while! I was very impressed! I like everything Jean Fritz has ever done. This story was wonderfully inspiring, entertaining, enlightening, and comprehensive. Appropriate for all ages, a good family read aloud, and a good discussion book for kids. After reading this book, you really come to understand how powerfully Teddy Roosevelt shaped our country, and why his is one of the 4 faces on the Mt. Rushmore monument ;)
November 18, 2014
What a great book! The author brought Theodore Roosevelt to life -- and filled my imagination as I read. She made him seem as big and exciting as I'm sure he was in real life, yet kept him real in the struggles he faced and the frustrations he felt. This book is perfect to fuel the imaginations of boys wild for adventure and give them the philosophy that circumstances and limitations are merely obstacles to face and conquer.
April 30, 2018
1. Awards- ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2. Grade levels- 4-7
3. Summary- This book discusses Teddy Roosevelt's life through his accomplishments and his various endeavors.
4. Review- Very good read about history and the life of Teddy Roosevelt. The information discussed in the book is interesting and relevant to kids. It also connects children to the theme of nature and isn't too long.
5. In class uses- biographies, presidents, history, nature
2. Grade levels- 4-7
3. Summary- This book discusses Teddy Roosevelt's life through his accomplishments and his various endeavors.
4. Review- Very good read about history and the life of Teddy Roosevelt. The information discussed in the book is interesting and relevant to kids. It also connects children to the theme of nature and isn't too long.
5. In class uses- biographies, presidents, history, nature
July 4, 2009
Jack and I read this together and I thought it was pretty interesting. Teddy would definitely have been on medication in this day and age! And his father's treatments for his boyhood asthma are so horrific -- carriage rides at full speed in the dead of winter, and then when that didn't work smoking cigars!
January 26, 2010
We read and discussed this in the history class I am teaching. Roosevelt is portrayed as a very dynamic, adventurous and determined character. Since it is for young people it glossed over his politics so I am left wanting to learn more about what he accomplished that way. He loved the Wild West and was a big proponent of national parks.
September 3, 2016
Part of the "Unforgettable Americans" series, this is a wonderful biography of Teddy Roosevelt written in a way that younger readers will enjoy. It follows Teddy from his birth to San Juan Hill to his two terms as President. It is a fun read and a great way to introduce reluctant readers to non-fiction.
March 15, 2012
Bully for you, Teddy Roosevelt. It is a biography book for children based on the life of Teddy Roosevelt. It focused more on his adventures as he was growing up, and how he grows to become a very successful person and president. This book is very good for history classes in elementary schools. It will be a very good adventure on learning of one successful presidents.
June 3, 2012
Jean Fritz is undoubtedly my favorite non-fiction writer. Several of her books were required reading for my history class and guess what? I actually enjoyed them.
She delivers the facts, the dates, and the details while keeping your undivided attention. She is sure to throw in funny little side-stories and with Teddy Roosevelt, there's plenty.
She delivers the facts, the dates, and the details while keeping your undivided attention. She is sure to throw in funny little side-stories and with Teddy Roosevelt, there's plenty.
July 4, 2014
An interesting children's biography of Teddy Roosevelt. I learned a lot about Roosevelt, but suspect that much was lost in order to make his life accessible to a young reader. Because he was such a remarkable man and lead such a full life, I felt that at times the book was in danger of becoming a list of his accomplishments.
November 16, 2009
A good introductory book of the life of the top 3 Presidents our country has had, (Lincoln and Adams being the other 2), for 3-6 graders. No other President was more interesting, and this is a facet kids would enjoy.
October 6, 2010
Jean Fritz does an amazing job with her biographies. I love the little details that she finds about the person that make them so real in our minds. I didn't know much about Teddy Roosevelt prior to reading this book, and I enjoyed meeting him through Fritz's work.
March 20, 2011
I didn't know much about Teddy Roosevelt when I started this book...and I don't feel I learned much more after reading this. I know it's a kids' book, but it still seemed to skim over every part of his life. It does its best job at portraying the character of Teddy Roosevelt.
May 24, 2015
This was a very factual but interesting read on the life of Teddy Roosevelt. I found it interesting and engaging but for my 8 year old daughter it was less appealing. It's a great read to learn about the life of Teddy Roosevelt but is not a story that young kids can engage in.
August 1, 2014
Great story, I believe tha we need more people like Teddy Roosevelt in the government now! He was not afraid to get his hands dirty, fought in Cuba with his Rough Riders, he spoke his mind and got rid of the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats since the beginning of his career!!
March 6, 2016
Lots of fascinating detail bring TR alive as a character. [Night at the Museum was right to cast Robin Williams as TR.] This is biography, so there is more telling than showing. "Perhaps" is used to suggest feelings and motivations not directly substantiated in journals and letters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews