  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 10/01/2016 Almost every thing about Benjamin Banneker’s life was exceptional. He was born in 1731 as a free African American in Maryland, a state in which most people of color were slaves. Though he received almost no formal schooling, he displayed an uncommon aptitude for mathematical thinking and taught himself to play several instruments. When he was just 22 he designed an amazingly accurate clock and carved a working prototype from wood using only his own pocketknife. This picture-book biography chronicles Banneker’s three-year attempt to build his most famous invention, a clock that accurately struck a chime on every hour. From inspiration to design and troubleshooting, young readers are guided through the process of invention. The setting of the eighteenth century Chesapeake Bay region is colorfully depicted on each page, from Banneker’s tiny cabin to his tobacco fields and local metal smith. Opportunities for further discussion about social equity, the importance of perseverance, and intellectual property abound, making this a quality biography for a wide range of interests and readiness levels. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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