Description

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Newbery Honor-winning Jean Fritz highlights one of America's most important founding father.

In the days before microphones and TV interviews, getting people to listen to you was not an easy task. But James Madison used his quiet eloquence, intelligence, and passion for unified colonies to help shape the Constitution, steer America through the turmoil of two wars, and ensure that our government, and nation, remained intact.

"An excellent, fascinating, indispensable resource." —Kirkus Reviews, pointer review

"The book is rich in the sort of detail that illuminates the man, but is not limited to personal information; a great deal of government history is woven into the biography." —Horn Book, starred review

"Fritz has given a vivid picture of the man and an equally vivid picture of the problems that faced the leaders of the new nation in the formative years." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children?s Books, starred review

"Young readers will feel like they know the 'Great Little Madison' very well." —School Library Journal

About the Author

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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 Children's Literature Legacy 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.

Praise For…

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Praise for The Great Little Madison

★★★★ FIVE STARRED REVIEWS!

★"The book is rich in the sort of detail that illuminates the man, but is not limited to personal information; a great deal of government history is woven into the biography .... A great book about a great little president." —Horn Book (starred review) 

★"Fritz has given a vivid picture of the man and an equally vivid picture of the problems that faced the leaders of the new nation in the formative years." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

★"Fritz injects a wit and candor that capture the sense of chaos that pervaded the halls of the Constitutional Convention .... Thoroughly engaging." —Booklist (starred review) 

★"Fritz fills a void in middle-school collections ... with a flowing narrative that will make young readers want to know more about this unusual man .... Young readers will feel like they know the 'Great Little Madison' very well." —School  Library Journal (starred review)

★ "A vivid portrait of the small man with a small voice ... An excellent, fascinating, indispensable resource." —Kirkus Reviews (pointer review) 

ALA Notable Book
An IRA Teachers’ Choice
Boston Globe­–­Horn Book Award for Nonfiction
New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Winner
Horn Book Fanfare
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors’ Choice