Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom! Book Review & Giveaway

If you know a third – fifth grader who isn’t crazy about reading or history, then introduce them to Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom!

This is one of those books that even slightly older students will enjoy. My son was in the eighth grade when this book was published. He wasn’t a big fan of reading, and like most kids, he didn’t like history unless it was presented in an interesting manner. A book titled: Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom! definitely grabbed his attention.

Check out the review and see if this book is one you’d like to win in the giveaway.

Overview of Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom!

Nolan, age ten, and his sister, Olive, age seven, live in the 21^st century. They deal with annoying classmates, sibling squabbles, and recently divorced parents — issues with which many readers can identify.

However, when a mysterious package containing an old radio arrives for Nolan, his challenges are amplified.  The radio mysteriously summons Benjamin Franklin from the past and adventures follow.

The children introduce the curious Founding Father to modern day inventions including some of which Franklin himself influenced.

Of course, the tension lies in concealing Benjamin Franklin’s true identity. Also, they must figure out how to send Ben back to his own time. This becomes even more challenging after the time-traveling radio machine is stolen.

Illustrations

Mark Fearing expertly captures a variety of emotions and humorously illustrates the antics in this historical fiction book. Visual learners will appreciate the various sizes of black-and-white sketches found on almost every page.

Plus, Fearing illustrates Ben Franklin’s personal stories in the form of graphic panels like those used in a comic book. This is another plus for kids who don’t enjoy reading pages containing all text.

Ben Franklin’s stories address his contributions to libraries, fire stations, and electricity.

The illustrations are humorous and well done.

Content

Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom! is written by award-winning author, Candace Fleming. Her writing style is engaging and will appeal to young readers.

Fleming portrays Franklin as friendly, courteous, and curious. Children will laugh as she places the man from long ago in modern-day scenes as she did on page 41:

Ben Franklin sure could eat. Besides a whole bag of pizza puffs, he inhaled half a bag of potato chips, two peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches, a stack of marshmallow cookies, and three teacups of tropical fruit punch, which he gulped down with his pinky raised. He wouldn’t touch the Sprouts ‘n’ Stuff, though, not after he sampled a bite.

“They taste,” he said, “like weeds and dirt.”  

Olive shot me a look. “Told you so.”       

I want to give you a heads up on a few things in the book. Bathroom humor somehow seems appropriate for a book by this title. I’m not sure how historically accurate it is, but Benjamin Franklin is portrayed in this book as one who enjoys expelling gas. Even if moms frown upon it, kids are sure to giggle.

Several adventures occur in this book. They include a runaway fire truck with a ten-year-old behind the wheel and the administering of a harmless electrical shock to distract a culprit. The little sister’s opinions on how to solve a problem are so feisty they are funny.

Most readers will realize what the characters should and should not have done. If not, this book is a fun way to initiate conversations on safety!

Other elements to be aware of are the use of the words: “butt-head” (used once) and “geez” (used several times). Ben unintentionally mispronounces cheese doodles as “doo-doo” but the story moves on before Olive can explain the difference.

One of My Favorite Parts in Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom

One of my favorite parts of the book is the last chapter. It is similar to an epilogue and titled: “What Nolan Knows.” Nolan goes to the library to find out what stories Ben Franklin told were true. This section of the book includes true, historical accounts.

Also, this section mentions exercising caution when experimenting—especially with electricity. Links to two educational websites are also included where students can go to learn more about Ben Franklin.

Another favorite component of this section is where Nolan includes a list of the books he used when checking for facts. It’s a clever way the author of the book included a bibliography.

Recommendation

I recommend this book for readers age 7 – 9 as well as older, reluctant readers. Girls will like it. Boys will relish it. While it is a fictional book, it is still a fun way to introduce some historical facts about Ben Franklin. Plus, there’s just enough plot and potty humor to entice your children to read more.

Candace Fleming has written another book about Benjamin Franklin, BEN FRANKLIN’S ALMANAC: BEING A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE GOOD GENTLEMEN’S LIFE. This book is for middle through high school students. It’s not made my review list yet, but I did notice a free learning guide for it offered on Candace Fleming’s website.

There may be helpful material there to further your child’s learning about Benjamin Franklin.  

The Giveaway

If you would like to get your name in the drawing for a free copy of Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom then make sure you’re on my email list. I’ll randomly draw a winner from the list on July 31, 2020.

To get your name entered in the drawing a second time, leave a comment below. You can tell us your favorite invention by Ben Franklin or one of his quotes. Or, since Ben Franklin enjoyed reading, simply share the title of any book you are reading!

(As always, I will pay all delivery costs of the book. Thus, this contest is only open for U.S. residents.)