Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Amazon Prime includes:
Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
- Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
-24% $6.79$6.79
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
$5.75$5.75
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Jenson Books Inc
Learn more
1.27 mi | ASHBURN 20147
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the authors
OK
Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos Paperback – April 30, 1988
Purchase options and add-ons
Did you ever wonder where inventors get their ideas? Benjamin Franklin is one of the most famous inventors in American history, and according to this amusing book, he got most of his ideas—the good ones at any rate—from a mouse!
Funny, interesting, and wise, Ben and Me is a timeless American story that has been read by generations of young people. Once you've met Amos the mouse, you'll always remember Benjamin Franklin a little differently than the history books do.
This beautiful edition of award-winning author Robert Lawson's well-loved tale features bonus material, including a map of Ben Franklin’s travels!
- Print length114 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level3 - 7
- Lexile measure1010L
- Dimensions5.25 x 0.5 x 7.65 inches
- PublisherLittle, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateApril 30, 1988
- ISBN-100316517305
- ISBN-13978-0316517300
Frequently bought together
More items to explore
- Toliver's SecretPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jul 19
- By the Great Hornspoon!PaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jul 19
- The Black Pearl: A Newbery Honor Award WinnerPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jul 19
- The Sign of the Beaver: A Newbery Honor Award WinnerPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jul 19
- Pedro's Journal: A Voyage with Christopher Columbus, August 3, 1492-February 14, 1493PaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jul 19
- Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American RevolutionPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Friday, Jul 19
From the Publisher
Ben and Me | Mr. Revere and I | Mr. Popper's Penguins | |
---|---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.8 out of 5 stars
602
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
134
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
4,759
|
Price | $6.79$6.79 | $6.34$6.34 | $19.99$19.99 |
More classic tales from Newbery- and Caldecott-winning author and illustrator Robert Lawson | An amusing, timeless tale about famous American inventor Benjamin Franklin and his tiny friend, Amos the mouse. | A historical novel about Paul Revere and how didn’t make his famous midnight ride alone, but with his trusty mare, Scheherazade. | The childhood favorite story of a house painter who suddenly finds himself with twelve penguins living in his house. |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Ben and Me
A New and Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin as Written by His Good Mouse AmosBy Robert LawsonLittle Brown and Company
Copyright ©1988 Robert LawsonAll right reserved.
ISBN: 9780316517300
chapter 1
Linus Hoppe sat on the third level of the Zip, pinching his nose. The other passengers seemed oblivious to the vanilla fragrance that permeated the train car, but Linus couldn't get used to it. The sickly-sweet odor clung to his clothes and, worse, made him feel ill. He knew that something had to be done to cover up the foul-smelling vapors emanating from the subterranean Industrial Zone, but why had vanilla been chosen? Linus couldn't help wondering if the senior managers of the Trans-Urban Company had ever ventured into the transportation system since they'd decided to install the air fresheners.
The train glided noiselessly through the tunnels. Beyond the windows, there was nothing to see for miles, just darkness dotted at regular intervals by the glow of the small light fixtures on the tunnel walls. Back in the early 2000s, the train used to emerge into the open air right after leaving Paris. But today the regulations were much stricter, and any potential blight on the landscape was buried deep underground. The old railroad tracks had become places where people went for leisurely strolls.
Linus flipped open his pocket computer. The trip to his suburban station lasted twenty minutes, giving him ample time to go over the day's courses.
"Hello, Linus, my little cookie!" the computer blared unexpectedly.
Linus quickly lowered the volume as several people turned to look at him. He smiled at them, slightly embarrassed. Once again Chem had played one of his practical jokes. Not a day went by without Linus's hacker friend tampering with his programs. This time the joke was harmless, but the other day Chem had nearly wrecked Linus's touch-sensitive screen.
"Honestly, Chem," Linus had said to him, "why don't you target someone else?"
Chem had laughed into his scarf. "Anyone else would beat me up!" he'd said. "You're the only one at school who still has a sense of humor!"
Linus sighed. Chem was right: ever since the beginning of the year, the mood in school had deteriorated daily. Students glanced at one another suspiciously, they worked furtively in their own little corners, and classrooms were like battlefields. Not that there was any physical violence; after all, no one wanted to get expelled from the system. Instead the attacks were underhanded, with countless wounds to self-esteem, strings of petty intrigues, psychological bruises, and mental aggressions. In this arena, humor was definitely out of place.
"They're scared stiff," Chem kept grumbling to Linus. "The end-of-year exam is driving them all crazy."
Linus could relate. The end-of-year exam was all he could think about too. In three months, he was going to be tested by the Great Processor. The outcome would determine his future. A score of 150 or higher guaranteed he would remain in Realm One--where his life would barely change. He'd continue living at home, with his parents and his sister, Mieg, who had scored 185 two years before, and he would pursue his studies in the city. Later on, he'd receive fantastic bank loans to buy a house in the Protected Zone, and he'd be promoted to a position of responsibility, as his parents had. A score of less than 150, on the other hand, would have consequences he couldn't begin to imagine. One thing was certain: he would have to leave his home in the Protected Zone.
But Linus knew he had nothing to fear. With minimal effort, he was always among the top students. He had never had any problems with his teachers, had never been reprimanded, and had hardly ever been absent. According to his parents, the exam was a mere formality.
Still, Linus thought, accidents happen.
For several months, the word accident had been popping up in his thoughts regularly. The word didn't refer to a concrete reality; it simply sprang to mind unexpectedly, simultaneously frightening and tempting, much like a plane ticket to an exotic destination.
Having been completely absorbed in his thoughts, Linus realized he no longer had time to go over his courses. The train would be stopping in five minutes. He shut down his computer.
"See you soon, Cookie!" mumbled the synthetic voice.
Linus couldn't help smiling. Chem was an unbelievable prankster, but in spite of his jokes, he was also the best friend Linus had at school. The trouble was that by overplaying the rebel, Chem risked not being admitted into the best realm. Everyone knew that insubordinates were sent to Realm Three, where they endured a special treatment--one that involved a mixture of iron discipline and bullying. The ones who knuckled under were reevaluated, with the luckier ones reinstated in Realm One. As for the others, no one knew what became of them. But the teachers' threats had no effect on Chem's attitude. He persisted in folding his arms and smiling arrogantly. When Linus expressed worry, Chem boasted, "I can do whatever I want with the Great Processor. Don't forget, Cookie, I'm a computer genius! If I choose to, I can bust its circuits!"
Looking out the window, Linus caught sight of the halo of light from the approaching station. He shook his head. Of course, Chem was bragging. No one had ever succeeded in outwitting the Great Processor.
Linus buttoned up his jacket, put his computer away in his backpack, and headed to the first level of the train. The doors swished open and Linus stepped out onto the platform. No more vanilla scent here. He could breathe through his nose again. Relieved, he swiped his ID card through the slot at the gate.
"ID: Linus Hoppe. Authorized access into the Protected Zone. Good evening," said the electronic voice at the gate. Making his way through the crowd, Linus headed toward the elevators.
"Hey, Linus!" a familiar voice called to him from behind.
It was Mieg, his big sister, coming home from school too. She caught up with him, smiling and happy as usual. Over her long curly black hair, she wore a red hat with the insignia of the HIA, the Higher Institute of Architecture.
"Did you have a good day?" she asked, kissing Linus on the cheek.
"Not particularly good or bad. There were no fries at the cafeteria, poor Iona got another lousy grade in biotech, that moron Rodrigo made Marny cry, and Chem fiddled with my programs again. Routine, as you can see."
Mieg frowned. "You're very blase for a fourteen-year-old!"
Linus shrugged. The elevator had arrived. They were pushed along by the crowd cramming into it.
"Unlike you," Mieg said, "I was very excited the year of my exam. I worked hard, but it was fascinating. You don't seem to realize how much it's worth the effort."
Linus looked down at his feet and all the feet around his. From the shoes alone, he could tell that the people surrounding him lived in the Protected Zone. Theirs was the simple, clean, and comfortable footwear of the elite.
"Are you listening to me?" Mieg asked, slightly annoyed.
"Sorry, I'm tired."
The elevator doors opened. Again, Linus let himself be carried by the flow of humanity, happy to breathe the cold, dry air outside.
"You'll take a restorative bath when we get home," Mieg said, adjusting her hat. "Then I'll make you one of my tasty vitamin-enriched shakes. Okay?"
Linus nodded. He started walking along the edge of the sidewalk, his nose in the air. Between the bare branches of the trees, he saw that the winter moon was rising. Everything was quiet. The only sounds were the clicks of window shutters being rolled down, the mewing of a cat, laughter, and the notes of a piano coming from an artist's residence.
"There's no better place on earth. Don't you agree?" Mieg murmured as she noticed that Linus's mind was elsewhere.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, each appreciating the artificial serenity of the Protected Zone.
From the Hardcover edition.
Continues...
Excerpted from Ben and Meby Robert Lawson Copyright ©1988 by Robert Lawson. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Republished in 1988 edition (April 30, 1988)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 114 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0316517305
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316517300
- Reading age : 7 - 11 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : 1010L
- Grade level : 3 - 7
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.25 x 0.5 x 7.65 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #25,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book fun, witty, and a fine start for children interested in history. They also appreciate the history mixed with imagination and the good quality of the craftsmanship. Readers describe the book as a relatively quick, easy read.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book fun, awesome, and holds their attention for read alouds. They also say it's a good book for beginning readers, has a cute premise, and great vocabulary development. Customers also mention that the story is thought-provoking and humorous.
"...for those too young to separate fantasy from fact, but the story is memorable enough, and cute and funny enough, to be picked up more than once in..." Read more
"...Read it for yourself. It is a thought provoking and humorous story line, as such as life is!" Read more
"...Overall this was a cute book, which held our attention." Read more
"...Being from the perspective of a mouse made it fun and educational." Read more
Customers find the book's content nice, thought provoking, and humorous. They also say it's educational and fun, with a Ben Franklin timeline and glossary of unfamiliar terms.
"...It is a classic historical non-fiction novel narrated by Amos the mouse, and his adventures with Benjamin Franklin." Read more
"...Read it for yourself. It is a thought provoking and humorous story line, as such as life is!" Read more
"...Being from the perspective of a mouse made it fun and educational." Read more
"...history" of an American icon, and I find its creative escapism so warming and inspiring -- and outright entertaining -- that it has launched my..." Read more
Customers find the humor in the book witty, clever, and fun. They also appreciate the good figurative language for personification and the mouse speaking dialogue.
"...fantasy from fact, but the story is memorable enough, and cute and funny enough, to be picked up more than once in any one childhood, and will..." Read more
"My daughter read this book for school. It was very cute and well written!" Read more
"I loved this book as a kid and bought one for my son. Good story and very funny." Read more
"...It is humorous, it is very well written and illustrated, and great vocabulary development...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the craftsmanship of the book. They mention that it is of good quality and that the print is on point.
"Ordered for my kid to use for virtual school. CameIn fantastic condition. Kiddo loved the story...." Read more
"...This book hit his Lexile level and he loved it. The book arrived in perfect shape, the print was on point...." Read more
"...This is a superbly crafted "alternate history" of an American icon, and I find its creative escapism so warming and inspiring -- and..." Read more
"...Good quality." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
It may be confusing for those too young to separate fantasy from fact, but the story is memorable enough, and cute and funny enough, to be picked up more than once in any one childhood, and will undoubtedly be properly inculcated as the allegory it is meant to be. Children will undoubtedly finally understand what a great and interesting man he was. And the humour makes the story enjoyable and palatable rather than a dry, dreary assignment from a school-teacher. And those old enough to understand on the first go around will take both characters in the book, Amos and Mr. Franklin, to heart, on friendly terms and most probably be driven to learn more. Of course, it can always be shared with a parent or other adult who can explain the difference for those too young to understand the difference on their own. Another great habit,...to read with a child.
I must mention that even as an adult, although I obviously read deeper histories these days, that this book is still in the back of my mind as I do so, as a memory of the impetus for me to begin my lifelong voracious habit of reading.
One should also note that the same author has a book by "Paul Revere's Horse", written in a similar voice and vein. Reading one means the child read a fun and decent book, having read two, it may be the beginning of a lifelong habit that can only improve one's life.
In fantastic condition. Kiddo loved the story. He’s in 3rd grade and the book is a bit advanced reading level (but he goes to accelerated school). Very pleased with how quick it arrived