- Book
- 144 pages
- Level: all audiences — younger readers. Click here for other resources for younger readers.
Peggy Thomas discusses the life, work, and faith of agricultural scientist George Washington Carver in this 2019 book from Chicago Review Press. Thomas paints an unvarnished picture of Carver’s life. He faced poverty, and migrated from town to town in the Plains states, seeking education and work to pay for that education. He was an imperfect person, who sometimes had difficulties getting along with others or adjusting how he did things for the sake of others. He faced barriers on account of these things and on account of racial attitudes. And Thomas notes that Carver focused on how the poor could improve their lot through hard work, self-reliance, thrift, and wise use of existing resources, and that despite the accolades Carver received, ultimately America did not follow many of his ideas in addressing poverty and hunger.
From the publisher:
George Washington Carver was a scientist, educator, artist, inventor, and humanitarian. Born into slavery during the Civil War, he later pursued an education and would become the first black graduate from Iowa Agricultural College. Carver then took a teaching position at the Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington. There, Carver taught poor Southern farmers how to nourish the soil, conserve resources, and feed their families. He also developed hundreds of new products from the sweet potato, peanut, and other crops, and his discoveries gained him a place in the national spotlight. George Washington Carver for Kids tells the inspiring story of this remarkable American. It includes a time line, resources for further research, and 21 hands-on activities to help better appreciate Carver’s genius.
Click here for a preview, courtesy of Google Books.
