Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, by Mara Rockliff
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Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, by Mara Rockliff
Ebook PDF Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, by Mara Rockliff
Discover how Benjamin Franklin’s scientific method challenged a certain Dr. Mesmer’s mysterious powers in a whimsical look at a true moment in history.The day Ben Franklin first set foot in Paris, France, he found the city all abuzz. Everyone was talking about something new—remarkable, thrilling, and strange. Something called . . . Science!But soon the straightforward American inventor Benjamin Franklin is upstaged by a compelling and enigmatic figure: Dr. Mesmer. In elaborately staged shows, Mesmer, wearing a fancy coat of purple silk and carrying an iron wand, convinces the people of Paris that he controls a magic force that can make water taste like a hundred different things, cure illness, and control thoughts! But Ben Franklin is not convinced. Will his practical approach of observing, hypothesizing, and testing get to the bottom of the mysterious Mesmer’s tricks? A rip-roaring, lavishly illustrated peek into a fascinating moment in history shows the development and practice of the scientific method—and reveals the amazing power of the human mind.
Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, by Mara Rockliff - Amazon Sales Rank: #14673 in Books
- Brand: Rockliff, Mara/ Bruno, Iacopo (ILT)
- Published on: 2015-03-10
- Released on: 2015-03-10
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.75" h x .38" w x 11.00" l, .0 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 48 pages
Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, by Mara Rockliff From School Library Journal Gr 2–5—Benjamin Franklin could be described in so many different ways: inventor, printer, scientist, thinker, diplomat. From this book, the word skeptic should be added to this list. While in France raising funds for the American rebellion against the British, Franklin was enlisted by Louis XVI to investigate the claims made by a young Austrian doctor who had much of Europe enthralled with his ability to remedy a wide variety of illnesses simply by waving an iron wand around their person. Calling it "animal magnetism," Franz Mesmer was treating the European elite by bringing them into darkened rooms while spellbinding music played on a glass armonica, invented by none other than Franklin himself. Mesmer would charge a rather large sum of money and pronounce his clients "cured." Doubtful of Mesmer's abilities, Franklin set about disproving the doctor's claims. Rockliff's lighthearted tone and lively writing style are enhanced by the use of different typefaces and print sizes, as well as a layout that will keep readers engaged throughout. Rockliff plays with words and rhythm, making this book an excellent choice for reading aloud. The artwork is infused with humor, and the individual's expressions throughout are a delight, from the look on the face of a swooning patient to Mesmer's own intense glare. There is much here to draw the eye and prod discussion. A lengthy author's note fills in the details of the story and provides information on the scientific method. Overall, a wonderful and fun-filled title that introduces yet another facet of a fascinating man.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
Review A stylish and humorous exploration of the scientific method and the mysteries of the human mind.—Publishers Weekly (starred review)On brilliantly illustrated pages full of rococo details and beautifully calligraphed text, Rockliff tells the story of how Benjamin Franklin debunked Dr. Mesmer’s magical cure-all. ... [Rockliff's] dramatic text is perfectly complemented by Bruno’s lush, full-color illustrations, stuffed with period detail and sweeping ribbons and curlicues. Each page is teeming with personality... Together, Rockliff and Bruno make the scientific method seem exciting, and kids interested in science and history will likely be, well, mesmerized.—Booklist (starred review)Rockliff’s lighthearted tone and lively writing style are enhanced by the use of different typefaces and print sizes, as well as a layout that will keep readers engaged throughout. Rockliff plays with words and rhythm, making this book an excellent choice for reading aloud. The artwork is infused with humor, and the individual’s expressions throughout are a delight, from the look on the face of a swooning patient to Mesmer’s own intense glare. There is much here to draw the eye and prod discussion. ... Overall, a wonderful and fun-filled title that introduces yet another facet of a fascinating man.—School Library Journal (starred review)Besides successfully explaining the scientific method, and what we've come to call the placebo effect, author and artist give children insight into human behavior--with a large dose of humor. For history buffs, science enthusiasts, and fans of a good story, this one hits all the marks.—Shelf Awareness (starred review)This ingenious book celebrates — and explains to children clearly — the basic principles of the scientific method, while also doubling as a peek into the astounding life of Benjamin Franklin.—The New York TimesRockliff's text is engaging and lively and pairs beautifully with Bruno’s dramatic and bold illustrations, which fully conduct the audience’s attention. There is no way a reader will escape the truly mesmerizing and energetic design.—The Horn BookBruno's digitally colored pencil art lightly evokes period caricature and gently pokes fun at the ornate clothing and hair of French nobility. The tale is nicely pitched to emphasize the importance of a hypothesis, testing and verification, and several inset text boxes are used to explain these scientific tools. Rockliff points out that Franklin's blind-test technique is in use today for medical treatments, and both the placebo effect and hypnosis are studied today. Rockliff and Bruno's playful approach buoys solid science and history.—Kirkus"Mesmerized" has so much page-turning suspense that it feels ripe for adaptation and box office success.... Although the book sounds heavy with facts and theories, the story zips along thanks to Mara Rockliff’s lively, dramatic writing that holds even young readers in its thrall. Iacopo Bruno’s illustrations are stylishly elaborate, shown from shifting perspectives. And the pages are cleverly laid out to accommodate short bursts of information. It’s not typical picture book problem, but this story might be just too thrilling for bedtime.—The Boston GlobeRockliff retells the episode with equal measures of gentle satire of aristocratic gullibility and tidy re- construction of the scientific method.—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksWith several educational themes--electricity, hypnosis, the placebo effect, the scientific method, and a good dose of American and French history--this mesmerizing picture book will fascinate as it entertains.—Foreword ReviewsRockliff writes with humor and flair. The illustrator captures well the time period, using playful fonts and elegant, detailed illustrations ... The spread introducing Dr. Mesmer is one of best you’ll see this year—Kirkus Reviews
About the Author Mara Rockliff is the author of many books for children, including The Busiest Street in Town and Me and Momma and Big John, winner of a Golden Kite Award. Mara Rockliff lives in eastern Pennsylvania with her family.Iacopo Bruno is an illustrator and graphic designer living in Milan, Italy.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Thoroughly engaging and perfect for teaching. By Heidi Grange The kind of nonfiction being published for children these days seems to get better and better. This is a wonderfully fun book as well as being a perfect book for teaching the scientific method. History and science all in one book, Mesmerized presents the interesting story of Ben Franklin helping the king and queen of France to expose a fraud who was convincing many people to pay money to use 'a force' to 'help' people with illnesses or even just the curious experience this 'force'. Ben Franklin used the scientific method to show that there was no such force, just the power of people's mind and the power of expectation. Today we call this the placebo effect, something the author explains at the end of the book.I especially enjoyed the creative illustrations that beautifully complemented the text. It was fun to see some of the comparisons the author and illustrator made like Ben Franklin as an apple pie and Dr. Mesmer as a layered torte which the illustrator took from the text and illustrated. This book has a multitude of teaching possibilities, everything from history, science, and the power of words and pictures together. A definite winner of a book and I loved it.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Great for anyone who likes Science and new inventions By Young Mensan BookParade At first I didn't want to read this book. It was confusing because there are French words, and cursive writing, and the way the words are laid out on the pages was frustrating me. I'm glad I did read it, though, because I really liked it. I love science and this book is all about science. It is about a new invention or discovery of Dr. Mesmer, and how Ben Franklin discovered what the new invention really was. I didn't like the way Dr. Mesmer bragged about his invention. My favorite part of the book is when Ben Franklin makes his discovery. It is written very romantically, and the author had a lot of emotion and feeling when writing this book. I thought it was very interesting that people's minds can cure them. The drawings go really well with this story. I think this book would be great for anyone ages six and older who likes science and new inventions. This book is historical fiction.Review by Aubrey L. Age 7, Mensa Greater New York
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Fascinating Piece of History By tvtv3 MESMERIZED is a nonfiction children's book that tells the story of how Ben Franklin used the scientific method to help the King and Queen of France and prove the inaccuracies of a new "medicine." While in France seeking the aid of the French government in America's fight for independence against the British, the king and queen ask Franklin to investigate the medical treatments of Franz Mesmer. People with all kinds of ailments were coming to Mesmer for treatment and after a session with him, they were leaving feeling much better. Mesmer claimed to have discovered a new scientific force, but the medical doctors in the country think something else is at work. At the end of the book is a short synopsis of the actual historical record, including details that were left out of the children's story.There's a lot I really enjoyed about MESMERIZED. First of all is the story itself. The story of Franklin and Mesmer is an interesting bit of history that not many people are familiar. Secondly, the book does an excellent job of explaining and illustrating the scientific method for children. Lastly, I also really enjoyed the illustrations. They illustrations are so detailed, bright, cheerful, and playful. They add a whole other level to the story. Overall, MESMERIZED is a great non-fiction children's book that teaches both history and science.
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Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, by Mara Rockliff
