Fritz, Jean. 1989. The great little Madison.
New York; G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0-399-21768-1.
“The advice nearest my heart
and deepest in my conviction is that the Union of States be cherished and perpetuated,” (p.150) was the last message
given by James Madison to the nation. The
Great Little Madison is a 160 page biography in which Jean Fritz portrays the life of James Madison from his birth in
Virginia to his death 84 years later. “This unprepossessing
figure was known for his passion for the establishment and preservation of the Union and
for his wife, Dolly. His effect on American history is far-reaching and Fritz's biography makes us appreciate the little man.”
(Carol Hurst Website) Fritz has created a balanced biography with authentic characters
and accurate facts.
Although Madison,
as he was referred to by many including his beloved wife Dolly, was a little man with a weak voice; his ideas influenced the
formation of the United States of America
with great force. James Madison was the oldest of twelve children. Born on his father’s Virginia plantation
in 1751, he learned to love the land that surrounded him. However, it was during
his years at Princeton University
that he became involved “in affairs that were affecting the whole country.” (p. 11) According to Fritz, when Madison was only 25 years old he
was elected to participate in the State Convention in Williamsburg. There the
delegates voted unanimously for the Continental Congress in Philadelphia
to propose the Declaration of Independence. Six weeks later independence was
declared. Madison
formed part of the Continental Congress. Although he never spoke up for
fear of being mocked for his weak voice; he was great at whispering his ideas to others.
However, he had a very serious enemy, the great orator Patrick Henry. Madison and Henry worked together for the freedom
of the States, but they had different ideas about how things should be worked out. On
the other hand, Madison developed a noble friendship with
Thomas Jefferson, his predecessor to the Presidency of this country. No matter
the circumstances or the political turnouts, according to Fritz, Madison and Jefferson continued to cherish a friendship that
lasted throughout their lives.
This book is more commonly preferred
by boy because of its historical content. However, Fritz gives the readers excellent
details about the sentimental life of James Madison which makes the book attractive to girls.
When James was thirty-two years old, he courted Kitty Floyd. He asked her father for his hand as it was the custom. This happened during the month of April. The
father agreed, and Kitty agreed to a wedding in November. However, during the
summer she decided that she preferred to marry a nineteen-year-old medical student. At age forty, Madison was nearly considered an all time bachelor.
However, he met Dolly Payne Todd, a recent widow and decided to court her. After
proper arrangements they met in person, with the presence of another female friend as was the custom. Madison and Dolly married on September
15, 1794 (p. 73). Madison adopted “Precious
Payne” as his own son, and Dolly adopted the cause for freedom and the acknowledgement of the Union
as her own cause. Madison became the fourth President
of the United States, and Dolly took the
labor of 1st lady with great pride and dignity. James died in 1836
in, Montpelier, his plantation in Virginia
where he is buried.
The book is well organized in chapters
that concentrate on different eras in James Madison’s life. It is written
in a “novel” style. In other words, the facts provided by Fritz are
combined with quotes and details about Madison’s life
to make it enjoyable to read. In addition, the book contains black and white
illustrations that are very appropriate for the time period the book covers.
This biography of James Madison is appropriate
for students in grades 5th through 8th. It would be excellent
to use as support for an American history class because it gives the life of James Madison as well as great detail about the
people and events that influenced the Declaration of Independence and the freedom of the Union from Great Britain. Mr. Salinas, a 5th
grade teacher, decided to adopt the book a part of other biographies he using to support his lesson on important individuals
who helped the Declaration of Independence. Each one must read a book assigned
to them within a two week period, and then they have to recreate one scene from the book in a 3-D model. Other enrichment
activities for the American Revolution may be found in the Teachervision Website.
Resources:
Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature
Site. Retrieved from http://www.carolhurst.com/authors/jfritz.html on January 30, 2006.
Tammy’s Homeschooling Review of Books
Authored by Jean Fritz. Retrieved from http://www.abasiccurriculum.com/reviews/ushistor/other/fritz.html on January 30, 2006.
Theachervision Webstie. Lesson Plan for the American Revolution. Retireved from http://www.teachervision.fen.com/page/10189.html#activities on January 30, 2006.
