School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 5-8-- This very fine biography captures the exuberance and enthusiasm of Teddy Roosevelt without resorting to the fictionalization and unrestrained hero worship that has been so common in biographies for children in the past. It covers Roosevelt's entire life from his sickly childhood through his political career and presidency to his last expedition in the jungles of South America shortly before his death. Fritz discusses both his personal life and public achievements, emphasizing his role in the early conservation movement and his drives for reform in government and industry. She quotes him frequently, using letters, speeches, and memoirs (all documented in notes). She also includes a strong bibliography. The real strength of this book, however, is its look into Roosevelt's spirit. It communicates how his determination and drive changed both politics and the presidency, and how those changes helped create what we know as the modern presidency. Fritz is admiring of Roosevelt, but she also points out his weaknesses and faults. As usual, her writing and organization are excellent. An outstanding portrait of one of America's favorite characters that should have a place in all children's collections. Bully for this book! --Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High Sch . , MO

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This thoroughly entertaining biography,"""" said PW, """"can be summed up in one word: Bully!"""" Ages 10-14. (Feb.)

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1991)

Fritz's lively style is perfectly suited to the daunting task of capturing in print the energetic personality of our twenty-sixth president. Readers will immediately be drawn into the drama of Roosevelt's life and will find the book both informative and entertaining. Bibliography, index.

Kirkus Reviews

Concluding her first chapter with the death of Roosevelt's father while Roosevelt was still at Harvard, Fritz includes a telling quote (I felt stunned...he was everything to me''), then telegraphs her theme in her uniquely lucid, succinct style:In his distress, Teddy may have felt that...his boyhood was gone. If so, he would have been wrong. [He] would always be a boy. And...his father would always be looking over his shoulder.'' With judicious balance, Fritz surveys the salient facts— Roosevelt's political rise, his groundbreaking work as reformer and environmentalist, his sturdy militarism— illuminating them with revealing incidents especially interesting to young readers, from his early interest in natural history (at seven, he was diligently recording animals' measurements; he learned taxidermy just a few years later) to his indulgence toward his children's White House escapades. Each entrancing detail contributes to the larger picture of Roosevelt: active, imaginative, indefatigable, a man who left law school when he found that law ``had less to do with justice than he thought it should'' and diverted himself from grief with hard work. This colorful, idiosyncratic President, long a biographers' favorite, has never been portrayed with more beguiling wit, precision, and honesty. An excellent book, one of Fritz's best. Notes; bibliography; index. (Illustrations not seen.) (Biography. 10+)"