Plot
Why did Amos decide to write about Ben Franklin?
He wanted readers to know about Ben's inventions, and how much Amos influenced them.
Who are the main characters of Ben and Me?
Amos and Benjamin Franklin
What did Ben do that almost ruined his friendship with Amos?
He purposely flew his kite with Amos on it during a storm.
From which Point of View is this story told?
First person narrator, Amos.
What is unique about Amos' siblings' names?
Their names are from A to Z (Amos to Zenas).
Why did Amos leave his family and the vestry?
He was one of 26 children. If he left, there would be one less mouth to feed.
What is the setting of Ben and Me?
Philadelphia, PA and France
Why did Amos decide not to go on the ship to England with Ben?
Because he saw the lightning rods at the mast of the ship and didn't trust Ben.
How is the virtue of loyalty important in the story?
"HASTE MAKES WASTE" and "FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED" are examples of what?
Maxims
What was the first thing that Ben and Amos worked on together?
The Franklin Stove.
During which war did this book take place?
The Revolutionary War
What happened with Sophia's children? Explain the conflict and resolution.
Sophia's children
What is one theme of Ben and Me?
Examples...
Opposite friends can complement each other.
The value of friendship and loyalty to helping someone.
"Two heads are better than one" when you are coming up with new inventions.
When Ben turned 81, what was Amos's gift to him? How did Ben feel about the gift?
A new beaver skin hat; he felt mixed feelings because although he liked the hat, he knew it no longer would be occupied by Amos.
For what purpose did Ben and Amos travel to France?
To serve as ambassadors and convince France to support the Americans during the war.
Who is Sophia?
Sophia is a French mouse that Amos admires. She lives in the wig of Madame Brillon.
What did the country 'yokels' think happened to Ben at the lake? Why?
They thought that he drowned because they saw all of his clothes but he wasn't in the water (he was chasing the dog).
Do you think Ben or Amos show the virtue of humility in the story? Explain why or why not.
:)
Create a sentence using these 3 vocabulary words correctly: disheveled, vestry, and minute.
Red, Thomas Jefferson's mouse, was a passionate writer and wrote a document declaring man's damages done to mice. When Amos showed the writing to Ben, he loved it, and changed it to be for humans. It became the Declaration of Independence.
What was Ben's Almanac, and under which name did he publish it?
It was a book of weather forecasts, agriculture, and maxims. He published it under the name Poor Richard.
Why were the King, Queen, and other aristocrats unhappy with Ben at the celebration?
He was to blame for the large amount of mice and rats battling all over the Palace.
He says that the book was found in a tiny desk in a tiny room and was written by a mouse, who tells the story of how he helped Benjamin Franklin with his inventions.
Who is the author of Ben and Me? Around which year/decade was the book published?
Robert Lawson, 1939.