Ben and Me: A New and Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin as Written by His Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson offers readers a satirical, entertaining perspective of one of America’s most influential founding leaders. The book is narrated by Amos, a mouse claiming to have been the visionary intellect behind Ben Franklin’s ingenious inventions and maxims. In fact, it is Amos who claims to have reminded Ben “the pen is mightier than the sword,” and inspired him to help write the Declaration of Independence. The entertaining narrative kept our middle schoolers curious, so much so that they not only read the book but wanted to know more about one of America’s most inventive leaders—one who held the titles of printer, postmaster, ambassador, author, inventor, and Founding Father.

Benjamin Franklin was born in January of 1706 in a house on Milk Street in Boston, Massachusetts. Massachusetts was a British colony at the time of his birth. Later in life, Ben lived and worked in Philadelphia.

On a U.S. map, find the cities that were important in colonial America during the life of Benjamin Franklin: Boston, Philadelphia, Lexington, Yorktown, Charleston, Princeton, Baltimore, New York, Richmond, and Trenton. Review the names of the thirteen colonies and their current state capital cities.

Author Robert Lawson’s strategic use of descriptive vocabulary keeps the reader engaged in the plot and helps to develop the characters, particularly Ben and Amos. Define new words as they are encountered: adage, almanac, astonished, counterfeit, delirious, disreputable, domicile, draught, ember, harbor, intrude, jeers, justice, maxim, metaphor, mongrel, patriot, perceptive, philosophy, prosperous, proverb, thicket, undeniably, and vestry.

After he retired from his work in the Philadelphia print shop, Ben became the postmaster of Philadelphia. Later, in 1775, Benjamin Franklin became the first postmaster general of the United States. Research what the postmaster general does, what qualifications a person must have to be the postmaster, and what significance this role plays in the United States government. Find and read a current event article about the United States postal service.

U.S. currency features prominent faces and landmarks of American history. Benjamin Franklin is found on the front of the $100 bill. Independence Hall is captured on the back. Research the people and places highlighted on other denominations.

Benjamin Franklin was a tradesman. As a young boy, he worked in his father’s candle shop. Later in life, he learned the printing trade and opened his own print shop in Philadelphia. Research the different ways candles are made, choose a method, and make a few candles as gifts.

Benjamin Franklin was also an inventor. In fact, he crafted his first invention—swim fins—when he was just eleven years old! As creative a thinker as Ben was, he never patented any of his inventions. Among his most notable geniuses were the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, the glass armonica, and the library chair. Choose one of Benjamin Franklin’s inventions and create a poster, diorama, or PowerPoint presentation persuading the reader of the importance and use of the device.

Benjamin Franklin authored several works in his lifetime, particularly Poor Richard’s Almanack, a yearly publication he published from 1732 to 1758. He wrote this publication of weather forecasts, historical notes, household tips, poems, and puzzles under his pseudonym, Richard Saunders. Benjamin also wrote under another pen name, Silence Dogood. Discuss why authors use pen names and why Ben would have decided to do so.

Ben Franklin participated in and signed the four major documents that helped America claim independence: the Declaration of Independence (1776); the Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce with France (1778); the Treaty of Peace between England, France, and the United States (1782); and the Constitution (1787). Talk about the roles Benjamin Franklin played in these documents and why his participation was significant to the leadership of the new nation.

“The entertaining narrative kept our middle schoolers curious, so much so that they not only read the book but wanted to know more about one of America’s most inventive leaders—one who held the titles of printer, postmaster, ambassador, author, inventor, and Founding Father.”