Milton Hershey

History Maker Bios

by Jane Sutcliffe, Tim Parlin (Illustrator)

A biography of the successful chocolate maker who built a town around his factory with unique housing for his workers and a school for disadvantaged students.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Food, 2nd Grade

48 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2003

About the author

I am a kids' nonfiction author, school presenter, reader, library lover, and owner of one very spoiled dog named Willy.

Reviews

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short book written for children. It did remind me of my trip to visit Hershey, PA, where I was fasinated on what he had accomplished and how well he took care of his workers and childen in the school for orphans he established. Not for the serious reader.

[Cy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had taken a tour @ Hershey PA and the tour guide gave a summary of Hershey's life [he went bankrupt twice] and his patriotism [Invented Field Ration bars for soldiers in WWII] and the amazing school [dedicated to his wife] and factories and amusement parks. I was looking for a "quick summary" to express to friends how amazing this man was. Christian [Mennonite] beliefs and personal "idealism" criticized by friends turned a family farm into a world renowned business and school dedicated to his wife’s memory. I know this is marked as a Juvenile book, but it makes for a synopsis that adult may take the time to read as it is short [45 pages]

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for earlyish readers. A heartwarming story about a seemingly extraordinarily kind man who had a goal and went after it even though he faced financial challenges. His perseverance and kindness from others got him through to where he was able to give back generously to others.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of lots of info and pictures too.

[Literary Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHY DID NOBODY EVER TELL ME HOW AMAZING MILTON HERSHEY IS
MILTON YOU'RE MY NEW FAVE

Seriously, I legit want a movie made about him. It's got the tough childhood and tragic love story and everything. And he was seriously the best like he made really nice homes for his workers and made sure they had everything they needed in the town and during the depression he started new building projects to give people jobs and since he and his wife Kitty couldn't have kids they started this school for orphans and then he left ALL HIS FORTUNE TO THE SCHOOL LIKE SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS SERIOUSLY and after Kitty died he never married again and carried her picture around with him wherever he went (that wasn't in this book but it's still the sweetest saddest thing) and HE WAS BASICALLY REALLY GREAT OKAY

also check out that mustache


Okay, on to the book itself.

I have to write a speech on a famous person, so I kind of chose Milton Hershey on a whim 'cause I figured I could pass out Hershey kisses and then everyone would love me regardless of how good the speech was, but then I ended up /really liking/ him. I signed out a bunch of books from the library, but this one is my favorite; it gave the information in a simple, concise way, but it was also terribly interesting and put in more little personal stories and details than the others. For instance:

"Milton and Kitty loved to travel. They took many trips to Europe. Once they bought tickets for a trip on a magnificent new ship. But at the last minute, their plans changed. It was a good thing, too. The ship was the Titanic. It sank on its first ocean voyage!"

and

"Milton kept making chocolate in Lancaster while his new factory was being built. He didn't allow his workers to call his chocolate "candy." He thought of it as a healthy, nutritious food. Magazine and newspaper ads even called a chocolate bar "a meal in itself."

and

"Milton never lost his love for experimenting with new things. As an old man, he tried new recipes for unusual frozen desserts. His potato ice cream and beet sherbet never quite caught on!"

And yeah basically I just discovered that I kind of love Milton Hershey and I want someone to make a movie. Maybe with Tom Hanks. I could see Tom Hanks playing Milton.


//END INCOHERENT REVIEW go eat some chocolate or something idk

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a recent visit to Hershey, Pa, I searched for a book to learn more about Milton Hershey. I was able to find only young adult or children's books, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. A driven man, Milton Hershey failed business ventures only made him more determined. He eventually amassed great success, never forgot his friends, treated his employees with respect and then quietly gave his fortune to the Milton Hershey School. Milton and Kitty Hershey never had children of their own, so they founded the Milton Hershey School to educate and protect at-risk youths. He was a phenomenal man who lived his life to his fullest potential.

[Shem Henrichsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme of this book is creativity. One example of the theme is when Hershey made special chocolate bars for the soldiers. Another example is when Milton made a town for the company in Pennsylvania. An example of symbolism is Milton's wife because she is like the things that inspire us. In this case he names Kit Kats after her nickname. People should read this book because it shows the beginning of one of the most famous chocolate company in the world and tells the origin of the man behind it.

[Laura Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every child knows what a Hershey candy bar is! Why not have them read about the man behind the candy? The informational biography explains the history of Milton Hershey and his idea of his genius candy bar! There are questions on the back for reflection, timelines and historical facts thought the book. My students would,be quizzed on the history within the book, or invent their own candy bar, describing ingredients and why they named it (the name they chose).

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milton Hershey lived an amazing life! This little book does a great job telling his story, including faults and failures as well as successes. He was really an amazing man, and his story is very inspiring.

[adeservingporcupine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic reading, but surprisingly fascinating.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good because you learned about his chocolate making adventures. Yum!!!!