jvos's review
4.0
My son read this as part of a non-fiction project he did for school. I'm glad I picked it up to read myself. I have a hard time keeping up with his reading, but love talking about books when we can read them at the same time. It was a great overview, filled in a few gaps that I didn't previously know, but left out quite a bit as well, but I think for age, that was ok.
narratedbyrein's review
2.0
I learned a few things from this but knew almost everything from the musical. This didn't have everything I needed for my school project
lazygal's review
4.0
I can easily see this becoming the "go to" biography on Hamilton for younger readers - the narrative flow will help them get through some of the more confusing parts (Hamilton's ideas about a federal bank, for example, or his activities during the Revolutionary War). Occasionally the jumps make the chronology a little confusing, or information is left out (eg, was Hamilton accepted to the College of New Jersey?) but that's a rare occurrence. There were times when I wished for more detail, for example what happened to Aaron Burr after the duel, but for the most part this introduction to Hamilton's life is filled with the depth of information that will satisfy readers and encourage some of them to go further.
The notes at the end were very welcome, as was the bibliography.
ARC provided by publisher.
The notes at the end were very welcome, as was the bibliography.
ARC provided by publisher.
thenearestdream's review
3.0
meh. It was okay. really just a bit of background before I get the chance to pick up a more detailed biography.
tcbueti's review
After seeing scenes from "Hamilton", this seemed kind of tame. However, taken just on the merits of the story, I think kids will be surprised at how much excitement there was in the early days of our country.
Hamilton certainly had a sad and difficult early life, but his determination and passion for learning helped him scramble to a position of power and influence. The descriptions of the challenges and frustrations of the war for Hamilton and his commander in chief, GW, may be quite eye-opening for readers. And the need to SET UP a country--how does one do that? And keep everyone happy?
Hamilton's passion and intelligence are clearly portrayed here, making his untimely death all the more tragic.
In just over 130 pp, the story of one of the founding fathers of our young country is told with verve and great attention to detail. A great resource for kids who want to know more about this fascinating man.
Hamilton certainly had a sad and difficult early life, but his determination and passion for learning helped him scramble to a position of power and influence. The descriptions of the challenges and frustrations of the war for Hamilton and his commander in chief, GW, may be quite eye-opening for readers. And the need to SET UP a country--how does one do that? And keep everyone happy?
Hamilton's passion and intelligence are clearly portrayed here, making his untimely death all the more tragic.
In just over 130 pp, the story of one of the founding fathers of our young country is told with verve and great attention to detail. A great resource for kids who want to know more about this fascinating man.
renatasnacks's review
3.0
OK so this is hard to rate because obviously I'm mentally comparing it to Chernow's [b:Alexander Hamilton|16130|Alexander Hamilton|Ron Chernow|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436131915s/16130.jpg|1205304], and that is an 800-page biography for adults, and this is a 1oo-page biography for children. BUT, I still feel like it's fair for me to say that this is leaving out some of the most interesting parts. Like, obviously this isn't going to go into the kind of detail about dueling and the code duello that Chernow did, but I feel like it's pretty important to understand how dueling works, and also pretty cool and interesting? It seems like a no-brainer to talk about dueling in your children's biography of Alexander Hamilton. (To be fair: it does, but not enough.)
It also seems like it did not define a lot of terms that I don't think children would understand? Like "aide-de-camp" for example. On the other hand I thought it did a decent job addressing the Reynolds Pamphlet without going into too much detail, although kids might be confused why it was such a big problem for Hamilton to "see" Maria Reynolds.
WHATEVER, it's fine. If a kid needs to write a report about Hamilton this would do it. If a kid is obsessed with a Broadway musical about Hamilton and wants the full story they are going to have to rise up to the challenge and read the Chernow.
It also seems like it did not define a lot of terms that I don't think children would understand? Like "aide-de-camp" for example. On the other hand I thought it did a decent job addressing the Reynolds Pamphlet without going into too much detail, although kids might be confused why it was such a big problem for Hamilton to "see" Maria Reynolds.
WHATEVER, it's fine. If a kid needs to write a report about Hamilton this would do it. If a kid is obsessed with a Broadway musical about Hamilton and wants the full story they are going to have to rise up to the challenge and read the Chernow.
nerfherder86's review
3.0
A good look at this famous figure in our country's history. I wanted the book to be written a little better, more eye-catching, not so dry. But it will work for book reports and homework about Hamilton, the man on the ten dollar bill, the first Secretary of the Treasury.
amyjoy's review
3.0
This was an excellent introduction to Alexander Hamilton geared towards 8-12 year olds. It's short and very quick to read, touching on the major events in Hamilton's life, but, of necessity, glossing over them. It's appropriate for the audience and provides a bibliography for anyone interested in further reading. I feel like Fritz glided over his time as a statesman perhaps too quickly, but the ending scene with his death is very moving.
thisfoxreads's review against another edition
3.0
First time I was let down by a Jean Fritz book--but perhaps it was just the dry narration.
Informative, but not as amazing as her other historical biographies.
Informative, but not as amazing as her other historical biographies.