Jean Fritz

Why Dont You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? (Paperback) 1996 Puffin Jean Fritz

Brief Description: A brief biography of Samuel Adams describing his activities in stirring up the revolt against the British and how he was finally persuaded to learn to ride a horse. Biographical Note: "The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary." In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal. An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work. copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved. Publisher Marketing: In early America, when all the men wore ruffled shirts and rode grandly on horseback, one man refused to follow suit. He was the rebel leader Sam Adams, a plainspoken gent who scorned ruffles, refused to ride a horse, and had little regard for the King. This lively biography is a nice, personal look at a leader and his times. Review Citations:

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2001 pg. 338 (EAN 9780698114166, Paperback)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2006 pg. 477 (EAN 9780698114166, Paperback)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2010 pg. 724 (EAN 9780698114166, Paperback)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2001 pg. 338 (EAN 9780399234019, Hardcover)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2006 pg. 477 (EAN 9780399234019, Hardcover)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2010 pg. 724 (EAN 9780399234019, Hardcover)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/1991 pg. 378 (EAN 9780698205451, Paperback)

Wilson Children's Catalog 96 01/01/1996 pg. 412 (EAN 9780698205451, Paperback)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/1991 pg. 378 (EAN 9780698202924, Hardcover)

Wilson Children's Catalog 96 01/01/1996 pg. 412 (EAN 9780698202924, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Fritz, Jean Jean Fritz, the Newbery Honor-winning author of Homesick, is best known for her engaging and enlightening nonfiction for young readers, including What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?, And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?, and Shh! We're Writing the Constitution. She was honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature by the New York State Library Association, and won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her career contribution to American children's literature. Contributor Bio:  Hyman, Trina Schart VIVIAN VANDE VELDE has written many books for teen and middle grade readers, including Heir Apparent, User Unfriendly, "All Hallow's Eve: 13 Stories", " Three Good Deeds", " Now You See It ..., "and the Edgar Award-winning "Never Trust a Dead Man". She lives in Rochester, New York. www.vivianvandevelde.comContributor Bio:  Tomes, Margot Margot Tomes illustrated many books for children, including "What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?; Where was Patrick Henry" "on the 29th of May?; And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?; "and "Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus?, "all written by Jean Fritz.