Benjamin Banneker: Pioneering Scientist

by Ginger Wadsworth

Book Overview

Gazing up at the stars, Benjamin Banneker longed to understand how and why things worked as they did. In a time when most black Americans were slaves, Banneker lived a life of freedom and became known... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876141041
• ISBN13: 9780876141045
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: First Avenue Editions (Tm)
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.7" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

great illustrations

The writing of the book was fine. I am a little older than an "on my own biographt" reader. Nonetheless I was interested in the life of a Black scientist living in the late 1700's. The book follows Benjamin Banneker from being a young boy working on his family's tobbacco farm to clockmaking, land surveying, and almanac writing. His thirst for learning makes him a great role model. The book also put his life in historical context which makes for a great learning device. What really brings the story to life are the illustrations. Craig Orback has done some beautiful paintings! I particularly enjoy the rich color and expansive feeling of the landscapes and skyscapes. The characters are expressive. A few pages are stunning in their warm light and vivid color. I felt really drawn to them. In fact, I think the book would be completely interesting and inspiring to me even if I couldn't read and it were being read to me before bedtime. I reccomend this book for the excellent art and the inspiring (and maybe little known) story of early African American accomplishment.