Blast to the Past: Ben Franklin’s Fame
Jacob, Zack, Bo and Abigail are members of the “top-secret” History Club, founded by their history teacher Mr. Caruthers. Their objective is to travel through time preventing the wicked Babs Magee from altering history. In Ben Franklin’s Fame, Franklin has disappeared from their textbook. Thus using their “super-cool, hand-held video game-like time-travel computer,” the gang sets off back to the many events (1741-creation of the Franklin Stove, 1750-invention of the lighting rod, 1752-the famous kite experiment, 1776-the signing of the Declaration of Independence) in Franklin’s life, attempting to set the course of history straight.
It is easy to see why the Blast to the Past series has recently been awarded Learning Magazine’s Teacher’s Choice Award. It simply makes history accessible and pleasurable. The concept is quite engaging, enough for me to order the rest of the series for my own enjoyment. The characters are refreshing given that they are flawed and actually bicker while performing Herculean deeds! The Author’s Notes were fun and quirky, and the historical timeline is a terrific bonus for the young reader and parents with slippery minds. Ages 7-10
