Benjamin Franklin and His Friends
Historical Biographies Series
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Describes the life of Benjamin Franklin, inventor, statesman, printer, scientist, and reformer, through the friendships he made with people of all types.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of the qualities you admire in Benjamin Franklin and his friends and why?
How do you think teamwork helped Benjamin and his friends achieve their goals?
If you could invent something to help others like Benjamin Franklin did, what would it be and why?
How did Benjamin Franklin's curiosity lead him to discover new things? Can you think of a time when your curiosity helped you learn something new?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to Benjamin Franklin by discussing how perseverance and curiosity can lead to great achievements. Highlight examples from the book where teamwork is pivotal, and relate it to your child's daily experiences with friends or in school. Ask them to think about how they can use their unique talents to help others, inspired by Franklin’s inventive spirit.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Through the character of Benjamin Franklin, the book showcases how perseverance and dedication can lead to great achievements.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by consistently working hard in their studies and hobbies, even when faced with challenges.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Benjamin Franklin's interactions with his friends throughout the book emphasize the importance of supporting and being loyal to one another.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s life by encouraging them to build and maintain supportive friendships, helping each other in times of need.
Example Lesson: Importance of education
Explanation: The narrative highlights how Benjamin Franklin values education and knowledge which aids his various accomplishments.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to value their schooling and seek knowledge not just from books but through real-life experiences and curiosity.
Example Lesson: Innovation and creativity
Explanation: The book illustrates Franklin’s inventive spirit through his experiments and inventions, showing how creativity can lead to practical solutions.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to think creatively in problem-solving situations and to express their innovative ideas in projects or daily tasks.