Benjamin Banneker

Pioneering Scientist

From the Series On My Own Biography

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Gazing up at the stars, Benjamin Banneker longed to understand how and why things worked as they did. In a time when most black Americans were slaves, Banneker lived a life of freedom and became known as America’s first black American man of science. He helped survey Washington, D.C., and became the first black American to write an almanac. Through his accomplishments, he helped advance the cause of equality for African Americans.

Format Your Price Add
978-0-87614-104-5
$8.99
978-1-5415-2850-5
$28.99
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Category 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity
Copyright 2003
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Brand On My Own Books
Imprint First Avenue Editions ™, Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 48
Publication Date 2003-01-01
Reading Counts! Level 2.9
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007090, JNF051040
Dewey 520'.92
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 6 x 8.5
Lexile 550
Guided Reading Level O
ATOS Reading Level 3.7
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 66260
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Afterword, Awards, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, Timeline, and eSource

Illustrator: Craig Orback

Craig Orback is a freelance children's book illustrator living in the Northwest and received his B.F.A. in illustration from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in 1998. He has illustrated Nature's Paintbox, The Can Man, Keeping The Promise: A Torah's Journey, and other award-winning children's books. He teaches children's book illustration and oil painting at several local colleges. In his free time he enjoys painting landscapes and sharing his books with kids during school and library visits.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

On My Own Biography

Engage readers’ interest and imagination! These award-winning biographies feature full-page illustrations. Written in story format, each book features pivotal episodes that reveal what kind of person the subject is (or was) and how he or she came to be famous. View available downloads →

Awards

  • Science Books & Films Best Books, Winner, 2003
  • NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, Winner, 2003

Reviews

Christian Library Journal

“Craig Orback’s illustrations use strong opaque paint, which reflect the many sides of Banneker’s life. This short biography is an adequate introduction to this very important life and work which teachers will find useful in unit on slavery, civil rights history, and the Revolution.”
Christian Library Journal

Science Books & Films

“This book about an African-American who lived during the time of the American revolution is a noteworthy contribution to literature than can stimulate interest in practical science and science careers for children of all colors.”
Science Books & Films