A Wizard from the Start by Don Brown

Tomas Edison was a clever and industrious boy.
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Resource: picture book, biography
Time: 1847 - 1931
Place: America

Summary:
Tom was a clever boy. He was homeschooled by his mother who believed in him.  He tinkered in the basement and took advantage of every opportunity to learn and invent as he grew into a young man.  Tom received his first patent at age 22.  By the time he died he had earned 1093 patents and enjoyed every minute of it.  Thoughtfully written and illustrated with lots of quotes sprinkled throughout the text.  There is also an author's note and bibliography at the end of the text.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
none

Reading Level: grade K - 3
Lexile Measure: 940L
Guided Reading Level: not available


Format Links
Kindle
Book

Additional Resources:

Find this book and other suggestions from this time period on the History Magpie Timeline.

You Wouldn’t Want to be Pyramid Builder A Hazardous Job you’d rather not have by Jacqueline Morley

Pyramid building is hard, dirty, dangerous work
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Resource: picture book, non-fiction

Time: 2500 BC
Place: Egypt

Summary:

This book describes in detail all the horrible things that could go wrong if you were part of the 4000 men who built the pyramid.  It tells about the yearly cycle of Egyptian agriculture, all the different skills needed to build the pyramid, funeral practices, religious beliefs and some details of everyday life. It has full color, cartoon illustrations with fun side notes and helpful hints on each page.  There is a glossary and index in the back. 

Potentially Objectionable Content:
Some cartoon violence and nudity
Reading Level: grade 3 - 5
Lexile Measure: 940L
Guided Reading Level: R

Format Links
Book