My Thoughts:
For those of you that know me, you know that I am obsessed with the Broadway musical Hamilton. I know all of the songs by heart, and have listened to them more times than I can count. My love for the musical has led me to want to learn all that I can about Alexander Hamilton. Recently I picked up Teri Kanefield's biography of Alexander Hamilton. I thought it was an interesting portrayal.

Teri Kanefield's Alexander Hamilton is intended for a middle grade audience. Truth be told, it reminded me a lot of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton, only simplified in a way that older children and preteens can understand it a lot better. I think this would be a great way to get a child who loves the musical educated on a more accurate description of what happened in Hamilton's life.

I only wish that the book would have gone into a little bit more detail on Hamilton's relationships with his friends as well. They were just briefly mentioned, and for some of them, it wasn't mentioned how he originally met them at all. Because I had already read Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton, I already knew a lot of the facts that were in this book. However, I did enjoy the excerpts of Hamilton's writing in the back of this book, several of which I had never read before.

I think Teri Kanefield's Alexander Hamilton is a great way for older children and preteens to learn about Alexander Hamilton's life, especially if they enjoy the musical. While I love the musical dearly, some parts of it are not an accurate representation of his life. This book works to correct those parts, and to accurately educate people about him. I will have to see if this author has written about any other historical figures I might be interested in learning more about, or teaching my nieces and nephews about.

I give Alexander Hamilton: The Making of America: 4/5.

Alexander Hamilton is having one heck of a cultural moment. Teri Kanefield begins her Making of America series with a biography of the star of the hit musical.

This book will give young fans a fuller picture of Hamilton's life. I especially appreciated the chapters on the work Hamilton did between the Revolution's end and the creation of Washington's first cabinet. During this time, Hamilton served on the Continental Congress and on a delegation that met in Annapolis where Hamilton drafted a resolution calling for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Teri Kanefield's history books are very readable, and I flew through this one in a couple of days.

I'm a big fan of Teri Kanefield's Making of America Series, and I plan to read each and every addition to the series as they come out.

Great history title that rides the Hamilton wave. Clearly presented, with accessible language, this wold be great from teacher led class time or independent research.

Recommended for middle grade/upper KS2

With the popularity of the hamilton musical it is not surprising that a new biography would come out about his life. This was a solid look at his life and written in a way that junior high students could read and understand. I don't think it will necessarily appeal to the general population but for what it is - it was good.

In this clearly written introduction to the life and times of Alexander Hamilton, readers learn about the difficult circumstances in which he grew up, and his enormous intelligence, energy, and drive; his push to succeed, to develop a strong central government with a sound fiscal policy; his relationships with Washington, Jefferson, and Burr; and his work to create a national bank. Informational inserts help clarify issues and comment on such things as the nature of strict vs. loose interpretations of the Constitution, the emergence of political parties, and the contrasting views of these parties, A final chapter dealing with Hamilton's legacy shows how his character and views are now seen as farsighted, though originally many viewed him as reactionary. This is an informative book that can open up discussions of governmental decision-making as well as past-present comparisons.

I was thrilled to see this one pop up on NetGalley. We're still trying the Hamilton lottery most days hoping lightning will strike and we'll get a shot at affordable tickets. While the soundtrack playing, I read through this middle-grade story of Alexander Hamilton's life. I did have to get used to the author referring to him as Alex. He just doesn't seem like a nickname type of dude. He was too driven and full of formality for that. I'm assuming it was to make him seem more approachable, but since every kid, I know now pictures Lin-Manuel Miranda I don't think that was a concern.

Anyhow the story begins with an age appropriate telling of his life and all of American History during that time. This is where the story shines. Hamilton works and reads and does everything for himself. If he can't get to the next level, he keeps reading, learning and paying attention until the time is right to make his move. Although he would have rather been directing battles, he soon rose to the rank of George Washington's top aide and marries Elizabeth Schuyler. As his story continues up to the duel and beyond the story continues to be engaging, and you get a real sense of the kind of America that Hamilton was attempting to create. There are excerpts from the Federal Papers included as well as a timeline and extensive endnotes.v