by Jean Fritz
First published 1976
Ben Franklin never sits still in colonial America. He runs his printing shop, publishes his almanac, and serves as an ambassador to England. But Franklin's restless mind constantly pulls him toward new experiments and ideas. He tests scientific theories, invents useful gadgets, and even tries being a vegetarian for a while. Each role he takes on seems to spark three more interests. His neighbors watch him conduct strange experiments while he also manages political duties and business concerns. Franklin must balance his curiosity about everything from electricity to human nature with his responsibilities to his community and country. The story shows how one person's endless appetite for learning and creating can shape not just his own life but the world around him.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, american, 19th-century, childrens, american-history
Vibes: thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Colonial America, England
Period: 18th Century
46 pages · Paperback · Coward, McCann & Geoghegan