Being Teddy Roosevelt : A Boy, a President and a Plan
Author(s): Claudia Mills
Riley O'Rourke is writing his report on President Teddy Roosevelt in preparation for the fourth-grade biography tea, but he has a far more important goal: to get a saxophone so he can take instrumental music. His mother can't afford to rent him a sax, and he's sure he'll never save up enough money to buy one. But as Riley learns more about Roosevelt's "bully" spirit, he realizes that there just might be a way to solve his problem after all.
Claudia Mills' sparkling story about the influence of important historical figures is enhanced by tender, insightful illustrations.
Being Teddy Roosevelt is a 2008 Bank Street—Best Children's Book of the Year.
Review(s):
“Mills writes with such a light, humorous touch that many scenes beg to be read aloud. Much information is subtly woven in to the narrative, and the gathering of world leaders at the tea is a sight to behold.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Enriched by its portrait of grade-school friendships and goofy classroom happenings.” —Booklist
“Bully for Riley and bully for Mills for writing a timely, comfortable school story filled with likable fourth graders.” —The Horn Book
“Children will appreciate this gentle lesson about achieving a goal.” —School Library Journal
“Mills introduces an ingenious, likable lad. Alley's animated art enhances the tale's humor and helps capture the characters' diverse personalities.” —Publishers Weekly
“A clever lead-in to a biographies unit, and the classroom, social, and family dynamics will be warmly and wryly familiar to middle-grade readers.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Mills offers her usual sparking humor and insight in this appealing story.” —Buffalo News
Long-listed Rhode Island Children's Book Award ML, Long-listed Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year (2008), New Mexico Land of Enchantment Master List, Oregon Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Master List, Long-listed Oklahoma Sequoyah YA Book Award ML, Long-listed New Mexico Land of Enchantment ML, Long-listed Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List, Long-listed Oregon Beverly Cleary Children's Choice A ML, Long-listed Illinois Bluestem Book Award ML (2011), Oklahoma Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award Master List, Rhode Island Children's Book Award Master List
ISBN: 9780312640187