An Inconvenient Alphabet
An Inconvenient Alphabet
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4.3/5
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An Inconvenient Alphabet

Written by Beth Anderson & illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Hardcover
$17.99
$16.97
5 - 10
Reading age
48
Page count
27
Words per page
680L
Lexile measure
Sep 25, 2018
Publication date

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What's This Book About

Publisher Summary

Do you ever wish English was eez-ee-yer to spell? Ben Franklin and Noah Webster did! Debut author Beth Anderson and the New York Times bestselling illustrator of I Dissent, Elizabeth Baddeley, tell the story of two patriots and their attempt to revolutionize the English alphabet. Once upon a revolutionary time, two great American patriots tried to make life easier. They knew how hard it was to spell words in English. They knew that sounds didn’t match letters. They knew that the problem was an inconvenient English alphabet. In 1786, Ben Franklin, at age eighty, and Noah Webster, twenty-eight, teamed up. Their goal? Make English easier to read and write. But even for great thinkers, what seems easy can turn out to be hard. Children today will be delighted to learn that when they “sound out” words, they are doing eg-zakt-lee what Ben and Noah wanted.

What Kind of Book is An Inconvenient Alphabet

Primarily about

What Questions Should I Ask My Child

  • Consider the pros and cons of changing the alphabet and spelling today - what would you change? Would you vote to reform our language?
  • How did Ben Franklin respond to failure? What does that tell you about him?
  • When is the "greater good" worth inconvenience or difficulties for individuals?

Reviews

    The Goodfather
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    6.00

    This children's book tells the fascinating story of Ben Franklin and Noah Webster's attempt to revolutionize spelling in colonial America. A hefty amount of historical information is conveyed in an interesting and entertaining manner. It's on the long side for children's books, but it's very educational and worth the effort.

    Kirkus
    Critic
    Full review

    “Both Anderson’s text and Baddeley’s illustrations are energetic and compelling… Deelytful and iloominaating for noo and seesuned reeders alyk.”

    School Library Journal
    Critic

    The combination of bold illustrations, humorous anecdotes, and fabulous storytelling makes this true tale anything but boring…a delightful, relatable, and eye-catchingly illustrated tale…

    Publisher's Weekly
    Critic

    “Engaging…A comprehensible, lively read.”

Book Lists That Include This Book

The Creatives Behind the Book

What Has Beth Anderson Said About This Book

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What Has Elizabeth Baddeley Said About This Book

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Book Details

ISBN
9781534405554
Publication Date
September 25, 2018
Publisher
Simon and Schuster-Paula Wiseman Books
Page Count
48
Words Per Page
27
Audience
Picture
Reading Age
5 - 10 years
Lib. of Congress (LCCN)
2017061223
Lexile® Level
680L
Est. Fountas & Pinnell Level
~P
ATOS® Book Level
3.9
Accelerated Reader® Points
0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz
197764
Accelerated Reader Interest Level
LG

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Core Score - 95%

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Depth Score - 31%

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