THE AMAZING MR. FRANKLIN Author: ISBN

THE AMAZING MR. FRANKLIN Author: ISBN: Ruth Ashby 9781682631027 Retail Price: Pub Date: $7.95 02/19 Category: Trim size: Intermediate Non-Fiction PB: 5½ x 7½ Page count: Age Range / Grade Range: 112 pages Ages 7-10 / 2-4 Territory: Rights: World Korean BISAC Codes: JUV004020 JUVENILE FICTION / Biographical / United States JUV016120 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods JUV047000 JUVENILE FICTION / Books & Libraries

Sales Handle: Everyone knows Benjamin Franklin was an important statesman, inventor, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. But did you know he started the first public library in America?

Description: Ben Franklin was always a “bookish” boy. The first book he read was the Bible, at age five. He then read every printed word in his father’s small home library. Ben wanted to read more, but books were expensive. He wanted to go to school and learn, but his family needed him to work. Despite this, Ben Franklin had lots of ideas about how to turn his love of reading and learning into something more. First he worked as a printer’s apprentice, then he set up his own printing business. Later, he became the first bookseller in Philadelphia, started a newspaper, published Poor Richard’s Almanac, and in 1731, with the help of his friends, organized the first subscription lending library, the Library Company.

Ruth Ashby’s fast-paced biography takes young readers through Franklin’s life from his spirited, rebellious youth through his successful career as an inventor and politician and finally to the last years of his life, surrounded by his personal collection of books.

Sales Points:  Well-designed, attractive & engrossing account of Franklin's life  Clearly written narrative will hold interest  Interesting anecdotal details for a compelling read

1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112 * www.peachtree-online.com ORDER DESK: 800-241-0113 or 404-876-8761 * FAX: 800-875-8909 or 404-875-2578 * E-MAIL: [email protected]

Review Attention:  “Ashby’s lively narrative account clearly shows how he earned international respect not only as a scientist, writer, statesman, and wit but also as the inventor of the Franklin stove, bifocals, and the lightning rod.” – Booklist  “This lively account of one of America’s most beloved statesmen depicts Benjamin Franklin’s love of reading and his never-ending curiosity.”  NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, 2005

Author Bio and Residence: Ruth Ashby is the award-winning author of dozens of nonfiction and fiction books for juvenile readers. Author Residence: Huntington, NY

Comparison Titles: Title ISBN Publisher Pub date Price Elon Musk and the Quest for 9780062463272 HarperCollins 1/24/17 $6.99 a Fantastic Future Who Was Galileo? 9780448479859 Penguin Group USA 2/5/15 $5.99 All About Stephen Hawking 9781681570945 Blue River Press 1/1/18 $5.99

Author’s previous books: Title ISBN Publisher Pub date Price Young Charles Darwin and 9781561454785 Peachtree 4/1/09 $12.95 the Voyage of the Beagle The Amazing Mr. Franklin 9781561453061 Peachtree 4/1/14 $12.95 Rocket Man 9781561453238 Peachtree 10/3/04 $12.95

Marketing and Publicity: • Trade shows: ALAMW, TLA, BEA, ALA, ILA, NCTE, NCSS • Updated cover design • Feature on Social media, on blog, and in e-newsletter • Advertising

Preview links: https://peachtree-online.com/staff/seasonal/pdfs/Franklin31027.pdf

1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112 * www.peachtree-online.com ORDER DESK: 800-241-0113 or 404-876-8761 * FAX: 800-875-8909 or 404-875-2578 * E-MAIL: [email protected]

The Amazing Mr. Franklin Written by Ruth Ashby PB: $7.95 / 9781682631027 5 ½ x 7 ½ / 112 Pages Middle Reader Nonfiction / Ages 7-10 Territory: World / All Rights Available

The story begins with a seventeen-year-old Benjamin Franklin who was desperately trying to find an apprenticeship in the printing industry during the early 1700s. No public libraries existed, and only the wealthy had the luxury of owning such things. Fortunately, Josiah, Benjamin's father, owned a small private library, which allowed him to start his reading at an early age. Back when Benjamin was eight years old Josiah sent him to Boston Latin School to study Greek and Latin but Benjamin was quickly pulled out of the program, despite his excellent scores, because of the expense. Josiah understood that Benjamin was gifted with exceptional knowledge, but he had a difficult time figuring out how Benjamin could use it. Eventually, Benjamin decided that the ordinary work at the candle shop with his father was not enough. Josiah found Benjamin an opportunity with his half-brother James, as his apprentice. Benjamin agreed and soon began to take up writing, submitting pieces to the newspaper under a pseudonym named "Mrs. Silence Dogood." Eventually James went to prison, making Benjamin take over, but that didn't suffice, and Benjamin wound up running away to New York to have his own independence in the printing industry. Unfortunately, Benjamin was denied an opportunity in New York, so he was sent to Philadelphia for another opportunity. On the way there they encountered a violent storm that set them in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. From there, Benjamin walked until he made it to Philadelphia, but was too late and so he was sent to another printer for a job. Finally, Benjamin was hired at a printer shop run by Samuel Keimer. There they worked 12-14 hour shifts and printed any paper product necessary. The Governor saw Benjamin's hard work and intelligence and offered to pay for his own printing shop, but failed to do so, fooling Benjamin. Benjamin was stuck in London for nearly two years until his friend Thomas Denham offered him an opportunity to return to Philadelphia to a printer shop. They return but Thomas dies, leaving Benjamin on his own. He later partnered with Hugh Meredith to start their own shop. They eventually split ties, leaving Benjamin ownership. Eventually Benjamin started a newspaper entitled Pennsylvania Gazette and his own club called Leather Apron Club which evolved into the Library Company. Throughout the rest of Benjamin's adulthood, he found many other public institutions that contributed to public service. He went on to marry Deborah Read and have three children: William, Francis (who would later die at three years old), and Sally. One of Benjamin's greatest literary successes was the creation of Poor Richard's Almanac, selling roughly 10,000 copies per year, and becoming one of colonial America's best sellers. He created a network of publishing houses. After retirement, Benjamin went on to invent and discover a number of things, including the Pennsylvania Fireplace, electricity, and the lightning rod for tall buildings. He would later receive the Copley Medal for scientific achievement and honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and the University of St. Andrews. He founded the University of Pennsylvania and contributed to writing and signing the Declaration of Independence. He attended the Constitutional Convention until his death in 1790.

1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112 * www.peachtree-online.com ORDER DESK: 800-241-0113 or 404-876-8761 * FAX: 800-875-8909 or 404-875-2578 * E-MAIL: [email protected]