Benjamin Franklin by Kathleen Krull

The Giants of Science biography series for middle-grade brings Benjamin Franklin - a man who was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was born in Boston. He was ten when his formal education came to an end. He had only two years of schooling but was always an avid reader.

At twelve, he became apprenticed to his brother at printing house. His brother was a bit of a tyrant. After a few years, Ben quit and left Boston for NYC, then Philadelphia, then London. There were always some challenges, but ever resourceful, he landed on his feet.

At twenty-one, back in Philadelphia, he worked at print shops and missed the lively atmosphere he enjoyed in London. Thus, he created Junto group of like-minded men who wanted to improve themselves and their community.

When he set up his own printing shop, he founded his own newspaper. He was bringing topics that were grabbing readers’ attention, and becoming a respected man in his community.

Meanwhile, he went through illness which almost claimed his life, and through a death of his son. This was a sharp reminder for him that time was not limitless, and that he wanted to make his mark, to be useful with his knowledge.

At the time, the way the homes were heated was inefficient. He came up with a new kind of wood-burning stove.

It was also a time of great mysteries in science – electricity. He avidly started experiencing with it.

He made himself useful in politics and science, beginning each day with a question, “What good shall I do this day?” And ending each day with a question, “What good have I done today?”

In 1757, Pennsylvania Assembly sent him to London as its agent to serve as colonial “ambassador” to negotiate on behalf of thirteen colonies to be treated fairly. At the same time, he continued with his scientific experiments. But it was actually the alliance he formed with France which had been vital to victory in the American Revolution.

Surrounded by family, he died at the age of eighty-four.

This biography exemplifies a man who understood the purpose of life and the limited time we have on this earth. He used his time wisely, to serve humanity.

Source: Puffin Books, 2014

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: “Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults.” – Ben Franklin

 

Traits:

·         His education was very limited but he was an avid reader.

·         He was very resourceful.

·         When he missed the lively atmosphere he enjoyed in London, he created Junto group of like-minded men who wanted to improve themselves and their community.

·         When he founded his own newspaper, he was bringing topics that were grabbing readers’ attention.

·         His illness and his son’s death made him realize that time is not limitless, and every moment counts.

·         When heating system was inefficient, he came up with a new kind of wood-burning stove.

·         He avidly started experiencing with electricity.

·         When he entered political fray, he acted as “ambassador” between the thirteen colonies and British Crown to be treated fairly.

·         He began each day with a question, “What good shall I do this day?” And ended each day with a question, “What good have I done today?”

 

“Better slip with foot than tongue.” – Ben Franklin

“Look before, or you’ll find yourself behind.” – Ben Franklin

“Don’t throw stones at your neighbors, if your own windows are glass.” – Ben Franklin

“Well done is better than well said.” – Ben Frnaklin

Who Was Abigail Adams? by True Kelley

 Who Was...? biography series for middle grade captivates with the story of Abigail Adams – who was both, wife and mother of a president. Above all, she was a smart and independent woman who believed in the power of education, and spoke out for the right of women and African American. 

Abigail Smith (1744-1818) was a curious child, always with her nose in all the books the family owned. She was also stubborn and strong-willed which worried her mother but the grandmother was of different opinion. 

Visitors often gathered at family’s library and talked about politics. Abigail’s father encouraged her to have her own opinions. 

One of the visitors was John Adams. With time, they discovered that they both had lively minds, thought alike and loved politics. This led to their marriage. 

John was a lawyer but he loved farming, and Abigail loved tending to farm duties. 

As different battles began between colonists and British, people sought shelter which Abigail provided and food. With money becoming tight, she was becoming creative with continuously providing what was needed. She made soap, spun cloth, ink from ashes and berries. She even melted down pewter spoons to make bullets for the soldiers.

John was spending a lot of time in Philadelphia doing important work in the Congress. Abigail felt lonely but she also understood how important was her husband’s work. 

While her husband was working on Declaration of Independence, she wrote him about equal right for everyone. She believed that there should be no slavery in a free country. And women should have the same right as men. 

When her husband became the second president of the United States, she became busy with writing letters, organizing, planning the days and holding dinners for important people. 

This biography exemplifies a woman who was a wife and a mother and yet very independent with her mind. She was ahead of her time, believing in equal rights for all. She was also very resourceful. In hard times, coming up with ideas for survival, which also led further to good profits.

This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts. 

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2014

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: “Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands.” – Abigail Adams

 

Traits:

·         From childhood, she was immersed in books.

·         She was stubborn and strong-willed.

·         From childhood, she was exposed to political conversations and her father encouraged her to have her own opinion.

·         During the battles between colonists and British, when food and other supplies became short, she was very resourceful how to deal with the shortages.

·         Even when she felt lonely, she understood that her husband’s absence was for good cause, serving humanity.

·         When her husband became a president, she became busy with writing letters, organizing events, planning the days and holding dinners for important people. She understood the higher purpose in this all, to serve humanity.

·         She was a wife and a mother and yet very independent with her mind.

 

 

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” – Abigail Adams

“If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?” – Abigail Adams

“We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.” – Abigail Adams

“I begin to think, that a calm is not desirable in any situation in life. Man was made for action and for bustle too, I believe.” – Abigail Adams

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 When we create labels, we create separation. Thus, stop the labeling process. That’s the path to inner peace.

Dr. Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Oneness in his book “Wisdom of the Ages,” where he further explains that it’s “our ego mind that insists that we’re separate from others and defined by where our boundaries stop and others start.”