Thorough, well-documented, and smoothly written.
This biography covers the life and times of Noah Webster—whose name has become synonymous with “dictionary”—from his humble farmhouse birth in 1758 to his death, surrounded by loved ones, in 1843.
A short prologue informs readers that at age 49, Webster, who voiced the opinion that “America is an independent empire, and ought to assume a national character,” began his magnum opus: “an American dictionary, based on his strong opinions…the product of many years of thought.” The book then introduces Noah’s birth and proceeds chronologically. The text does an admirable job of giving personal details of Colonial and post-Colonial life, as well as incorporating the rapidly changing history that surrounded Noah when he left home at 16—with his father’s blessing and hard-earned tuition money—to attend college. The text is full of direct quotations, both from Webster and from people who knew him, and their reactions were, unsurprisingly, mixed. He was apparently bright, inquisitive, and relentlessly opinionated. Small history lessons that backdrop his experiences—as in passages about wars, federalism, women’s roles, and abolition—are neatly integrated into his attempts to earn a living, to establish copyright laws and standardize spelling in the new nation, to find love, and more. Recurring episodes of poverty interfere only temporarily with a man driven to write, to publish, and to influence others.
Thorough, well-documented, and smoothly written. (Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-544-12983-2
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: June 5, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2015
In her first book for young readers, personal-finance expert Chatzky offers straight talk on all things related to money—where it came from, how it’s made, how to earn it and how to save it, everything from gross domestic product to gross viruses on paper money. Having spent three months traveling the country and talking with kids, the author presents questions and answers in a volume attractively designed in a kid-friendly manner, with plenty of illustrations, charts, lists and sidebars for fun facts and kids’ questions. One thing not learned on the trip, apparently, was not to take all middle-school students’ answers at face value, as readers will see wise-guy responses, illogical explanations and self-centered comments mixed in with the mostly thoughtful and sincere questions and statements. Still, the clear and conversational text, coupled with the inviting format, will appeal to young readers, who should enjoy learning about a subject important to them. (appendices, map, glossary, web resources, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)
Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4169-9472-5
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
If only Benedict Arnold had died sooner. Had he been killed at the Battle of Saratoga, he’d be one of the greatest heroes of American history, and “we’d celebrate his life as one of the best action stories we have.” Instead, he survived and went on to betray the colonies and die in shame. Sheinkin sees Arnold as America’s “original action hero” and succeeds in writing a brilliant, fast-paced biography that reads like an adventure novel. Opening with the hanging of Major Andre, the British officer who plotted with Arnold to turn West Point over to the British, the story sticks to the exciting illustrative scenes of Arnold’s career—the invasion of Canada, assembling America’s first naval fleet, the Battle of Valcour Island, the Battle of Saratoga and the plot with Andre, whose parallel narrative ends in a bungled mission, his execution and Arnold’s dishonor. The author’s obvious mastery of his material, lively prose and abundant use of eyewitness accounts make this one of the most exciting biographies young readers will find. (source notes, quotation notes, maps [not seen]) (Biography. 11-14)
Pub Date: Nov. 9, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59643-486-8
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
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