Franklin Pierce: America's 14th President (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRESIDENTS SECOND SERIES)
Encyclopedia Of Presidents Series
on Goodreads (22)
What’s inside...
A biography of the fourteenth president of the United States, with information on his childhood, family, political career, presidency, and legacy.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-12
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Franklin Pierce
Discussion points
What challenges did Franklin Pierce face during his presidency and how do you think he handled them?
Why do you think Franklin Pierce's decisions as president were so controversial?
How did the choices Franklin Pierce made impact the United States both during and after his presidency?
If you were Franklin Pierce, what would you have done differently during your time in office?
What qualities do you think are important for a president to have? Did Franklin Pierce possess any of these qualities?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by asking your child what they already know about Franklin Pierce or the role of a president to build a comfortable discussion base.
Encourage your child to think critically about leadership by discussing the decisions made by Franklin Pierce and their impact on the country.
Use comparisons between historical and current events to make the discussion more relatable and relevant.
Highlight the importance of understanding historical figures from multiple perspectives to foster a deeper understanding of complex characters.
Invite your child to imagine themselves in Franklin Pierce’s position, asking what they would have done the same or differently, fostering empathy and decision-making skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The book details Franklin Pierce's tumultuous presidency and personal tragedies, including the loss of his children and political challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of persevering through difficult situations in their own lives, understanding that setbacks are part of life and can be overcome with courage and determination.
Example Lesson: Importance of public service
Explanation: Pierce's commitment to serving his country, despite personal and political challenges, is a significant focus in the book.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to contribute positively to their communities, understanding the value of civic involvement and helping others.
Example Lesson: Consequences of decisions
Explanation: The book explores the outcomes of Pierce's decisions during his presidency, particularly those that affected the course of American history such as his stance on issues leading to the Civil War.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the impact of their choices and the importance of thoughtful decision-making in their daily interactions and long-term goals.
Example Lesson: Historical awareness
Explanation: Through the narrative of Franklin Pierce’s presidency, children gain insights into a pivotal era of American history.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore more about history and understand the context behind current events, enriching their knowledge and perspective.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The book does not shy away from discussing Pierce's failures and questionable decisions, providing a balanced view of his presidency.
Real-World Application: It teaches children that everyone, including leaders, can make mistakes and that recognizing and learning from these mistakes is crucial for personal growth and development.