Who Was Franklin Roosevelt?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Margaret Frith, Nancy Harrison (Illustrator), John O'Brien (Illustrator)

paperback book

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, School, Chapter Books, World War II

105 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2009

About the author

Margaret Frith lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Joey Oborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This president is so cool. Did you know he was the only president in the U.S to be elected four times? When he was a boy he loved football and riding horses. He was born in New York and died in Warm Springs Georgia. He had steel braces on his legs because, he had a polio that was a virus that caused people not able to walk. He was also president at a hard time because, he was president during war 2 and when hitler had become chancellor of Germany, and built up a mighty army.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

105 pages. I enjoyed this biography and learned a lot about this president who served during WWII. There are extra fact sections on Hitler, polio and fireside chats. The information and illustrations help a reader understand the times and locations of this part of history. I think anyone from 4th grade and up would enjoy it. Highly recommended.

[Aj Capuzzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book Who Was Franklin Roosevelt, by Margret Frith. This book was a nonfiction biography. This book was about how Franklin Roosevelt's life. It was about how he was president during world war two. I rated it three out of five stars because it was kind of boring but also interesting.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who Was Franklin Roosevelt? by Margaret Frith was what I had expected, the mythical story of how FDR took firm control of the US government in the depths of the Great Depression and began solving one thing after another. This is essentially the generally taught history of how he brought us out of the Depression and then successfully lead us through to the closing days of WWII. He is also the only US President to be elected to more than two terms, dying during his fourth term just before the end of the war in Europe. More recent books have questioned the truth of this history of an icon of the democrat party. They contend that if FDR had been more hands off during the Depression, it would likely have resolved itself as had been the case with earlier such economic conditions. He also had some of his plans thrown out by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional and his idea of how to deal with that was to add more handpicked justices to the court to swing the outcome to his liking. There are also accusations that he could have done much more to help Jewish refugees trying to escape death camps in Europe. This author wrote what is considered conventional wisdom about FDR's "successful" guiding of the economy and handling of the war. From that standpoint it was well written and she did mention a few of these controversial issues with his administration.

[Drew S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might know Franklin Roosevelt as the president, which he was, but you probably don't know his life story. Franklin was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. Sara and James, Franklin's parents, were rich, so Franklin grew up spoiled. Franklin was tutored as a boy until thirteen years of age, and soon after that, he got sent to the Groton School. There, Franklin was a very smart student and got a college degree and went to Harvard University. That Thanksgiving, Franklin's father died of heart failure. At Harvard he met his soon to be wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. He thought she was more interesting and smart than any other girls of his age. Franklin and Eleanor married in New York City on March 17, 1905. There first child Anna Eleanor was born in 1906, there second was born a year later, and their third child passed away at eight months due to the flu. They would have three more children, Elliot, Franklin Jr., and John. Then Franklin ran for the New York senate as a democrat. He won and spent three more years as the state senate and was known for being independent. After that, Franklin got a job as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. In 1914, World War broke out, and in 1917, the United States joined forces against Germany. The war ended on November 11, 1918, with Germany's defeat. When the war ended Franklin returned to private life. One morning, Franklin could hardly stand, and as the days went by it got worse. He soon found out he had polio, and had to use a metal brace to walk. In 1929 the stock market crashed, and this was the beginning of the Great Depression. Franklin Roosevelt ran for president and crushed his opponent, and became the thirty-second president. He promised the people that they would get jobs fast. As he was president for a total of twelve years, the whole time America was in the Great Depression and World War Two was going on! America viewed him as a great friend and he was very trustful during America's bad years. America got fully into World War Two when Pearl Harbor was attacked. During this period, Franklin was always comforting America and always at its side. Suddenly, at sixty-three years old, Franklin passed away from a burst blood vessel in his brain. America was in shock, but the war was still going on! A little after his death, Germany and its allies got defeated on September 2, 1945. Franklin D. Roosevelt was a great president even through America's bad times.

[John T]

Who Was Franklin Roosevelt?
By Margaret Frith

December 19, 2016
JP Thuma
Block 2

When a president dies it is the most tragic event, and if it is a really good president, it will be the most tragic event for that time. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was one of the best and most helpful presidents in American history. Franklin D. Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. Franklin grew up in a wealthy family that paid for private tutors to further his education and studies that eventually led to English boarding schools and finally to senior class president of Harvard University. Franklin was very smart and successful in his studies that created success in adult life as he became a US Senator for New York. He became more famous and successful as President of the United States, serving four terms. During his four terms, the most horrible events seemed to happen in America as he helped lead America out of the Great Depression and asked Congress to declare war on Japan after Pearl Harbor as the United States entered World War II. Roosevelt as 37th president was elected to four terms as the public wanted a familiar and steady leader to guide them through bad times.

Being President of the United States is a really tough job and you want to make the right decisions to help guide the country and help all citizens to a better life. That is what President Roosevelt tried to do throughout his time as president. He helped create programs that created jobs after the great depression. He also tried to make good decisions as a leader during WWII and help create a safer world. While doing this his health became an issue as he developed polio though he did not let the disease impact his decisions towards trying to create jobs and make America safer. Franklin tried hard to not let polio impact his life or his decision making as president. All the strain of being president took its toll on Franklin as he died peacefully in April 1945, before he could see to the end of WWII. President Roosevelt had many terrible events occur during his time in office, but with him there Americans felt they had a friend helping them through hard times. That is why he is thought of as one of the great Presidents.

[Logan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an awesome book of FDR's life on the inside and outside of the White House. I chose this book because all I knew about FDR was that he lead us to victory in WWII, so I thought why not learn about one of our greatest ever presidenceys. One of my favorite parts about this book was when he had bought a resort because he had Polio, a bad disease affecting his legs and making him never be able to walk again, he had bought the resort because it helped him with his legs and the water was pristine and warm like a hot spring, said FDR, he later turned that resort in a resort for people being affected by polio and giving them a chance to swim in the pristine waters of the resort in southern Georiga. One of my other favorite parts is even though he could not walk he still went around the country meeting and greeting the people of his fine nation. His wife was a bug part of helping FDR give his speeches and other addresses, she was a huge impact because she had always pushed her husband's wheelchair around for him making it easier on him. I think Margaret Frith did an excellent job twisting the facts, the fun, and the glory of the Roseevelt Family. Anyone wanting to learn about FDR should most defenitly read this book.

[Carter Helfrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Was Franklin Roosevelt by Margaret Frith. Franklin Roosevelt was born In Hyde park, New York on January 30, 1882 to Sara and James Roosevelt. Franklin was an only child and was homeschooled until he went to a boarding school in Boston. After graduating from boarding school he went to college at Harvard and wad the president of the school newspaper called the crimson.

After meeting and marrying Eleanor he went to law school in Colombia. After all of that he dictated that politics is what he wanted to do so he ran for the new York senate and won. Franklin had a ousting career in politics and was eventually elected president and served three consecutive terms. Franklin had lost the use of his legs prior to becoming president but that did not stop him from doing great things.

I thought this was a great book because it showed me all the great things he did for this county. It also showed that even though he was handycap he was still capable of doing many great things. I would recommend this book to the older grades like 6-8 because it has some advanced words and the quiz is on the harder side.

[Olivia Lullie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
This book tells the story of Franklin Roosevelt's life from the time he was young to his fourth term of presidency. Through the text, you discover the man Franklin Roosevelt was, and his hopes and dreams for himself and the United States.

Evaluation:
The author, Margaret Frith, did a very good job of showing the readers who Franklin Roosevelt was. Frith gets her readers involved and interested in the text through the fun illustrations, the excerpts of information from the times, and interesting facts about Roosevelt that many people may not know. The book provides tons of educational information about Roosevelt's presidency, The Great Depression, The New Deal, and WWII.

Teaching Idea:
This book would be a great tool to use in a history lesson with students. Teachers could use this in a lesson about major presidents, WWII, The Great Depression and The New Deal. Having students read this text before or during a unit on Franklin Roosevelt would be a great way for them to get a better grasp of who he was and what his presidency was based on.

[Hunter Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Was Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Margaret Frith is a great biography. It talks all about his life from how his parents met to how he died. He started out as just a boy who loved sailing, riding horses and football. FDR had a lot of problems throughout his life. The main predicament that most people know he had was polio. He was the only person/only president to get elected four times!

In my opinion, this book was a great, fast read. It is a good book and is from a famous series. The Who Was series is pretty obvious what it's about. This book has both ups and downs throughout. For instance, an up is FDR becoming president while a down is him getting polio.

I recommend this book as a good biography about Franklin Roosevelt. If anyone needs to read and learn about him, this is the perfect book for it. It tells all about his presidency from the New Deal in the first hundred days to the last days of his final fourth term, this book had it all.

[Mayumi Inoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Penguin, Who was ... ?, Level 3.4
- Time = 98 minutes
- 7 word summary : Roosevelt -sailing - stamps - president - polio - pool - war
- 2 discussion question :
1. Have you ever collected some splendid things ?
It is not so remarkable for many people but I have collected some toy animals that are made of the countries to which I have ever been.
Until now, I have the toy animals which are made of America and Australia.
Someday, I hope to get the toys of other countries.
2. Have you ever heard of the main character's name in this book, Franklin Delano Roosevelt?
Yes, I have. At first glance, I felt something that this person did a great job historically.
Then, I read this book and I remembered he did "the New Deal" to give jobs to out-of-work men as public enterprises.

It was fun to read the books that are series of "Who was...?" I want to go on to read this series :)

[Colten W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was exceptional it taught me all about Franklin Roosevelt. Like he was the president of the United States. As well as why people think he is one of our best presidents. He did a lot of things like lowering taxes. As well as doubled the military spending for better gear. Also he stopped government corruption by others who were in office before him. Also he created more jobs so people could have a good life. He also cut poverty by 30 percent so people would not have to suffer any longer. Since he did all he let people create tons of businesses around the United States. That happened because he lifted a whole bunch of government restrictions against businesses. He also brand peace to the United States. When he was president it was a very prosperous time. This was a great book to read. I recommend it to everyone because Franklin Roosevelt was an amazing president.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this guy. Even though he was born into wealth, and maybe a bit pampered growing up as his mother's only child, he endured hard things well, like losing a child that was only 8 months old, and not being able to use his legs after contracting polio at 39 years old. His desire to help others and the nation and really let them know what he was thinking and doing to better the country via his fireside chats is quite impressive. I also love that he loved his wife Eleanor, herself a real go-getter (not only having 6 children but being involved in organizations for advancing the rights of women and people of color. I loved the story about her quitting the Daughters of the American Revolution when they refused to let an African American woman sing in a concert hall they owned). FDR was far from perfect. The Japanese internment camps were atrocious.

[Brenda Pritchard]

BIOGRAPHY:
This book is a biography that tells about the life of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The book talks about all events in his lifetime from childhood through his death and beyond. It taught me a few things about the president, such as the fact that he married Eleanor, his cousin. A few members in my group asked if it showed him smoking. The book does not include pictures of the president smoking. I can conclude that it gives somewhat factual information on the life of FDR, but leaves out information that may be considered propaganda for young children. Therefore; I am recommending this book to children from grades 2-6. It is a longer book and the reading level may be above anyone younger than grade 2.

[Jenevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review first published on My Blog

A brief biography of Franklin Roosevelt. A good intro to this president and his time, including WWII. I appreciated that they included a brief section on the Japanese Internment camps as I think it helps to show children how people can make horrible mistakes and it led to a good discussion with my son on what a horrible thing that was and how we must do everything in our power to make sure that it never happens in our country again. Otherwise, I didn't learn as much from this book as I have from the others just because I think many of our history books focus so much on this time period and FDR. Still, it was good for the 4th grader to start getting an idea about who this man was.

[Karis Chediak]

Was Franklin Roosevelt a boy who loved sailing, riding horses, and football, a man left crippled by polio, the only president of the United States elected four times, or all three? I think you can guess. Franklin Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park on January 30, 1882. The story of how his parents got married was strange. His dad's name was James and his mom's name was Sara. James met Sara at a party and he fell in love with her. He was fifty-one and Sara was twenty-five. Franklin went to a boarding school and played football. And he married his cousin, Eleanor. He had a wild life. Polio, swimming pools, and a long trip. One day, as he was reading his mail, he had an enormous headache. The doctor said he had a split vessel and that's how he died.

[Efrain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cool to learn about this president. Franklin Rosevelt was born on January 30, 1882 when he was a kid he loved the sea. He was an only child. When he got called up to be president there was a lot of problems because the Great Depression was going on. The first hundred days Rosevelt had done a lot of work to fix it. Most people loved him as a president and a fun fact he served four times as president. When he was president World War II was happening and was really busy with the country and barely got rest. Then suddenly one day he was going through the mail and fell to the ground and just passed away. Everyone one was shocked and heartbroken. I recommend this book to everyone and was overall cool to learned that a bunch of people loved him as president.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only he hadn't forced 100,000+ Japanese into internment camps. At least this book does mention the horrible atrocity that FDR committed on that front. Overall, it's an informative book and gave a good overview of his challenges and success. I had no idea FDR supported children recovering from the effects of polio. I also did not know that FDR and his wife, Eleanore, were cousins of some variety. The book didn't specify how closely related they were. Further research shows they were fifth cousins. That's reassuring. Although I'm not a fan of the "big-head" illustrations, I do enjoy being able to bone up on my political history.

[Cole T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really good! I learned a lot of things I would never have known about FDR. Did you know he had polio disease which is a disease that affects your ability to move your legs. Or that he tried all sorts of things to help him walk? He even tried a stretching machine. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know a little more about FDR or just history in general. Read this book to find out what FDR did to help our country and some of the crazy things he did to try and help himself and others with polio disease.

[Lili Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franklin Roosevelt.
Franklin Roosevelt was a president during the great depression and world war 2!He also was elected four times!Franklin Roosevelt also loved sports like riding horses,or sailing ,but he got polio before he learned those things!He became president because he a speech and said ''the only thing that we have to fear is fear itself '' then they went to get there money from the banks but Franklin Roosevelt made a closed bank holiday so they won't scared!And guess what,the plan worked!That is how Franklin Roosevelt became president!

[Lars Schumitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book I read is Who Was Franklin Roosevelt? by Margaret Frith. The genre of the book is biography / non-fiction. It tells Roosevelt's life story and includes his going to Harvard and his early career. After he discovers a love of politics, he runs for office and eventually becomes President of the United States. I gave the book 3 stars because I thought it was good and learned a lot, but it was very detailed and not very exciting.

[Brittany Cullen]

I really love these books and they are great for teaching about the person to children and they have pictures and are easy to read. I did not know much of the facts about Roosevelt before reading this book and I found it all interesting. It would be a great group book for history and they are fun to read. they focus on every aspect of the persons life growing up and in this book the time in office.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of the Who Was books that I read with my daughter it was great! I learn things I never knew and this book helped my 7 year old and I have conversations about deep topics without getting "too deep" (i.e. WW2, Polio & vaccines, etc.). She asked a lot of thought provoking questions about his life and I think it's a great book to read with your kids.

[Gil Zaharoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

End of your system is not the best way to be considered a good night and my mom to get a good night at Snoqualmie west coast and my mom said she thought she was going to Snoqualmie.

Everyone is going to be a new one of my life is going to come over for a good example

[Kathryn Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book allows students to read about an important figure in American history in their "kid language." This would be beneficial for students if they were learning about that particular time period in history. This series is good for kids who are also interested in history.

[Cole Sheriff · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know he had polio? G.B.

[X_LadyDarkrai_X · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice! Keep up the good work, Frith.

[Laurenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um AWSOME!!! It's so sad he had to die.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Liked who was franklin roosevelt