How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning (bk1) (40 pgs)

Schanzer, Rosalyn (2003). How Ben Franklin stole the lightning. HarperCollins. New York.

Summary:
This is a funny little story about the inventions of Ben Franklin and the many discoveries he made that make all of our lives a little easier. Schanzer uses humor to describe certain situations during Ben Franklin's life time and then gives examples of how Franklin managed to make those situations better. She begins with Ben Franklin's life as a child and then moves chronologically through all of his inventions. Schanzer manages to make learning about Ben Franklin and all his contributions to modern life very fun and interesting.

Author: Rosalyn Schanzer
Illustrator: Rosalyn Schanzer
Illustrations: Schanzer used colored dyes and sepia pen line on Strathmore Bristol Board. Blotter paper was used on damp dye to add texture. These illustrations are also very whimsical and colorful that follows the story line with pictures of his inventions and how they benefitted society.
Access Features: Author's Note, Acknowledgments
Grade Level: 1-4
Book Design: This book is tall and slender with big storm clouds on the cover. Ben Franklin is standing on top of the title of the book holding a lightning bolt. End pages are copies of some of Franklin's original drawings from experiments and formulas. Illustrations take up most of a two page spread and follow the story line with pictures of lots of his inventions. The initial caps on the first word of every page are Caslon Antique, a version of the typeface Franklin brought to American in the 1740's.
Writing Style: This is a very whimsical book. The language is witty and light hearted making it a fun and easy read. The author uses simple language to help explain all the complex inventions Ben Franklin came up with and makes it interesting for children to read.
Curriculum: Social Studies
Classroom Use: This book would be wonderful to use when doing a unit on historical figures. I think it would alson be a great tool to use in a science classroom when talking about electricity.
Awards: Notable Social Studies Trade Book 2004
Standards: Social Studies-Standard 2: Time, Continuity, and Change; Standard 8: Science, Technology and Society
Author Credibility: The books Schanzer used for content in this book are well known writings about Ben Franklin. They include: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin by the Yale University Press, Benjamin Franklins autobiography, Poor Richard's Almanack, and Benjamin Franklin: Scientist and Statesman by I. Bernard Cohen. All of these books are known for their accurate accounts of aspects of Benjamin Franklin's life.
Related Texts: Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by: Kay Winters; Who Was Ben Franklin by: Dennis Brindell Fradin; First to Fly by: Peter Busby; River Boy: Story of Mark Twain by: William Anderson; What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin by: Jean Fritz; Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by: Carole Boston Weatherford

Response:
I had so much fun reading this book. It's so easy to just get caught up in the way the author presents this book that you don't realize you're learning. I think students of all ages would love this book but it really is written for the younger grades. While I was reading this book I could really sense the author's passion and respect for Franklin. Her voice was just so exciting and the tone was very upbeat and happy. This is one of my favorite books so far.