froggylibrarian1's review
2.0
Honestly I should have known based on the title but I decided to read it hoping it would be something for my reluctant readers, maybe boys. Yeah, no. I knew at the end of the first chapter that there was no way I was going to recommend it or buy it.
Franklin Isaac (who goes by Ike) has an assignment to write an imaginary letter to a famous person. He chooses to write to Ben Franklin whom he was namd after. In that first letter he mentioned Jungle Juice which "makes the chicks lose control". I was done at that point. A 13 yr old protagonist speaking about girls that way? Nope? In addition, he himself stole a six pack and drank 2 beers (they ended up being non-alcoholic but he didn't know it at the time). I also worry that the correspondence between Ik and Franklin (yes, it turns out they actually communicate) will be hard to read - Ben Franklin talks in the English of his day.
There were parts I did like and I can see middle school boys buying this and enjoying it but I don't feel I can promote it.
Franklin Isaac (who goes by Ike) has an assignment to write an imaginary letter to a famous person. He chooses to write to Ben Franklin whom he was namd after. In that first letter he mentioned Jungle Juice which "makes the chicks lose control". I was done at that point. A 13 yr old protagonist speaking about girls that way? Nope? In addition, he himself stole a six pack and drank 2 beers (they ended up being non-alcoholic but he didn't know it at the time). I also worry that the correspondence between Ik and Franklin (yes, it turns out they actually communicate) will be hard to read - Ben Franklin talks in the English of his day.
There were parts I did like and I can see middle school boys buying this and enjoying it but I don't feel I can promote it.
nerfherder86's review
3.0
This is a funny book for middle graders about a boy who accidentally starts a correspondence with the real Benjamin Franklin. Franklin Isaac Saturday ("Ike") has to write a letter to a historical figure for a school project, and he picks Benjamin Franklin, but complains to him about how he hates being named after him, along with other beefs that he's sure no one will ever read, like losing his best friend now that they're in junior high. To add to the authenticity and hopefully get extra credit, Ike puts really old stamps on the letter, in an envelope sealed with wax for full effect; as a joke he pops it into a mailbox and later receives a reply letter! It's a silly premise but it's totally cool once you get into it. Benjamin and Ike give each other advice about the issues in their lives--Ben's jealousy of Thomas Jefferson, Ike's troubles with bullies and his crush on a girl--and things escalate in both time periods; has Ike changed the course of history with his interference?It leads to a cliffhanger ending! Aaah! Very fun, has some slightly longwinded jokes, but perfectly captures the fears and insecurities of 12 year old boys, while also slipping in some historical stuff.
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