Ginger Wadsworth: Benjamin Banneker

Introduces Benjamin Banneker, a free black man of the eighteenth century who loved to learn and used his knowledge and observations to build a wooden clock, write an almanac, and help survey the streets of Washington, D.C.
The writing of the book was fine. I am a little older than an "on my own biographt" reader. Nonetheless I was interested in the life of a Black scientist living in the late 1700's. The book follows Benjamin Banneker from being a young boy working on his family's tobbacco farm to clockmaking, land surveying, and almanac writing. His thirst for learning makes him a great role model. The book also put his life in historical context which makes for a great learning device.
What really brings the story to life are the illustrations. Craig Orback has done some beautiful paintings! I particularly enjoy the rich color and expansive feeling of the landscapes and skyscapes. The characters are expressive. A few pages are stunning in their warm light and vivid color. I felt really drawn to them. In fact, I think the book would be completely interesting and inspiring to me even if I couldn't read and it were being read to me before bedtime.
I reccomend this book for the excellent art and the inspiring (and maybe little known) story of early African American accomplishment.