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carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
4.0
First and foremost- the art in this book is absolutely gorgeous. Every page had me oohing and ahhing and just wow. The story itself was also super interesting and I'm not sure how I had never heard this story before! Benjamin Franklin travels to France to try and get their help with winning the Revolutionary War. While in France, he helps to solve the hypnosis mystery plaguing France and, in turn, securing France's help. The book explained how scientific method works (question, hypothesis, test, results!) and also had a history lesson- very cool to have science and history in one book. I think middle grade readers will really appreciate this story most but it can be for all ages, adults included.
oneangrylibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a great book for introducing the scientific method to young students. I loved the illustrations and it is safe to say that I learned something new as well from the content. The language is easily accessible but still with a high vocabulary for the book. I found the inclusion of french phrases to be a wonderful addition to the story. I can see many students enjoying this book and having it spawn many questions afterwards. This was a fun book to read and one I will readily recommend to others. I am excited that this is a Bluebonnet book for next year. My students will surely enjoy it.
shighley's review against another edition
5.0
What a sumptuous book. The illustrations are simply stunning (be sure to look at people's expressions) and the text is playful and entertaining. I couldn't help but read it with a smile. From the great endpapers reminiscent of hypnosis to the substantial biographical information in the back, this book creates an atmosphere. As a former science teacher, I appreciate the inclusion of the scientific method; science teachers could use this as an example. A book that encourages further research into the subject is a hit for me.
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read about how Ben Franklin used the scientific method to discover the truth bhind Dr. Mesmer's mysterious force. What I liked about the book was that it was relatively short, it had information that is not commonly known, it related to the scientific method, and it extended the story to show how the placebo effect works. Well done informational text.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing mentor text. I love how the author took a small moment, took the time to research it and tell the story. The story is captivating and informative. The illustrations tell the story and add emotion. This is a book I must own.
heisereads's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect content connection to science classes with scientific method explained through the course of telling the story of when Ben Franklin was in France. Interesting story I never knew, and delightful illustrations of the historical time period.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
A fun look at an interesting point in history with a great explanation of the scientific method! I'll be sharing this one with my science teachers for sure.
lilmatt050's review against another edition
4.0
To check out my reviews: http://dancinginth3dark.blogspot.com
In case you have forgotten about U.S. History I will refresh your memory a little bit. Before the United States of America existed, we originally were the 13 colonies that belonged to England and after being mistreated by the monarchy we decided to seek our independence and went to war with England. Being a freshly established society in the Americas, we were broke as fu%@k! So we needed that dough and the only way we could get it is if France helped us out which wasn't easy considering we were at war with France about 20 years before 1776.
Being the celebrity that Benjamin Franklin was, we made him the ambassador to convince King Louis XVI to offer us some money so off he went to Paris. Being an old man was not an easy task to accomplish especially this long voyage but luckily Franklin survived the voyage and went to speak to the King. Even though Franklin wasn't royalty, he was treated like one in France because everyone around the world knew who he was thanks to his brilliance and King Louis XVI used that to his advantage in terms of the chaos that was breaking in Paris.
There was this man named Dr. Mesmer who miraculous could cure people's illness without medical treatment and with using his wand he could pretty much command a performance and freak the audience with mysterious tricks. Doctors were furious about Dr. Mesmer because now the civilians were refusing to attend to their physician and seek the proper healthcare they needed but they had no proof to show that Dr. Mesmer is a crook.
So in exchange of France's support, King Louis XVI hired Benjamin Franklin to figure out the mystery using science. Through the story, you learn how Benjamin Franklin used what is now called the scientific method and being the badass that he is, he quickly was able to discover Dr. Mesmer tricks and put an end to this chaos that engulfed Paris.
The illustrations were great and it is fascinating to learn new information about a historical person who is practically a founding father of America helped the King of France in order to secure the funds to help our revolution. The reason why this book is not 5 stars material for me is they kept trying to shove education information about science in practically every page.
I know this book while curiously entertaining for children it's suppose to educate us how Benjamin Franklin used the Scientific method which didn't have a name at the time so in other words Benjamin Franklins common sense to solve a mystery. Children do not know what the scientific method is so the book explains it with some of Franklin's experiments but how scientist use this method in the 21st century.
I would have preferred if they didn't included the 21st century talk because it distracted me from the story and it felt like I was in school again learning about science which was a difficult subject for me and I can imagine children rolling their eyes at that section too. I believe kids should read this book because if gives them knowledge in an entertaining way and what better way to teach their parents, teachers and their friends about a historical idol of American History.
In case you have forgotten about U.S. History I will refresh your memory a little bit. Before the United States of America existed, we originally were the 13 colonies that belonged to England and after being mistreated by the monarchy we decided to seek our independence and went to war with England. Being a freshly established society in the Americas, we were broke as fu%@k! So we needed that dough and the only way we could get it is if France helped us out which wasn't easy considering we were at war with France about 20 years before 1776.
Being the celebrity that Benjamin Franklin was, we made him the ambassador to convince King Louis XVI to offer us some money so off he went to Paris. Being an old man was not an easy task to accomplish especially this long voyage but luckily Franklin survived the voyage and went to speak to the King. Even though Franklin wasn't royalty, he was treated like one in France because everyone around the world knew who he was thanks to his brilliance and King Louis XVI used that to his advantage in terms of the chaos that was breaking in Paris.
There was this man named Dr. Mesmer who miraculous could cure people's illness without medical treatment and with using his wand he could pretty much command a performance and freak the audience with mysterious tricks. Doctors were furious about Dr. Mesmer because now the civilians were refusing to attend to their physician and seek the proper healthcare they needed but they had no proof to show that Dr. Mesmer is a crook.
So in exchange of France's support, King Louis XVI hired Benjamin Franklin to figure out the mystery using science. Through the story, you learn how Benjamin Franklin used what is now called the scientific method and being the badass that he is, he quickly was able to discover Dr. Mesmer tricks and put an end to this chaos that engulfed Paris.
The illustrations were great and it is fascinating to learn new information about a historical person who is practically a founding father of America helped the King of France in order to secure the funds to help our revolution. The reason why this book is not 5 stars material for me is they kept trying to shove education information about science in practically every page.
I know this book while curiously entertaining for children it's suppose to educate us how Benjamin Franklin used the Scientific method which didn't have a name at the time so in other words Benjamin Franklins common sense to solve a mystery. Children do not know what the scientific method is so the book explains it with some of Franklin's experiments but how scientist use this method in the 21st century.
I would have preferred if they didn't included the 21st century talk because it distracted me from the story and it felt like I was in school again learning about science which was a difficult subject for me and I can imagine children rolling their eyes at that section too. I believe kids should read this book because if gives them knowledge in an entertaining way and what better way to teach their parents, teachers and their friends about a historical idol of American History.