Make Way for Sam Houston (Unforgettable Americans) - Softcover

Fritz, Jean

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0698116461 ISBN 13: 9780698116467

Publisher: Putnam & Grosset Group, 1998

Synopsis

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico.

"Lively, readable, and solidly researched, this is the kind of biography every child needs." —Booklist, starred review

"Jean Fritz has done it again. Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Young readers will find the book fast-paced and fact-packed." — The New York Times Book Review

Jean Fritz lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

About this title

About the Author:

Acclaimed biographer, Jean Fritz, was born in China to American missionaries on November 16, 1915. Living there until she was almost thirteen sparked a lifelong interest in American history.  She wrote about her childhood in China in Homesick, My Own Story, a Newbery Honor Book and winner of the National Book Award.
     Ms. Fritz was the author of forty-five books for children and young people. Many center on historical American figures, gaining her a reputation as the premier author of biographies for children and young people.
     Among the other prestigious awards Ms. Fritz has garnered are: the National Humanities Medal, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture Award. the Christopher Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Non-Fiction Award, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and many ALA Notable Books of the Year, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, and ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice Awards.
     She passed away on May 14, 2017.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-6 Jean Fritz has done it again. In her tightly woven, well-researched biography of the Texas hero, she has demystified Sam Houston by presenting the facts of his life and providing interpretations. Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person. Houston was a self-educated man who fought in the War of 1812, served as a congressman and governor of Tennessee, fought for Texas independence, served as its first president and later as governor and senator after Texas joined the union. Much of his life was influenced by his boyhood reading of hero stories, especially those of Caius Marius, a Roman general and statesman. Fritz does not glide over Houston's weaknesses such as his problem with alcohol and his marriage to an Indian woman when still married to another woman. She delights in recounting Houston's dramatic flair. He stole the show from Mirabeau B. Lamar, elected to replace him as president of Texas, on his inauguration day by arriving dressed as George Washington and proceeding to give a three hour farewell address to the extreme consternation of Lamar. Other biographies of Houston have joined the ranks of o.p., but even collections that still have them should make room on their shelves for this splendid biography.Therese Bigelow, Hampton Public Library, Va.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Putnam & Grosset Group
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0698116461
• ISBN 13: 9780698116467
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 109