Carry+On,+Mr.+Bowditch

Latham, Jean Lee. **//Carry On, Mr. Bowditch//**//.// Boston, MA: Houghton, Mifflin. 1955. Illus. by John O’Hara Cosgrove II. A boy of colonial Salem, Massachusetts teaches himself mathematics, astronomy, and seamanship and grows up to create a navigation system still used by the U.S. Navy. From a young age, his facility with mathematics is sometimes met with resentment. His hopes of studying at Harvard are crushed by when his alcoholic father sells him as an indentured servant for 9 years. Chapter book, 251 pp. Lexile: 570L; SLJ: gr. 4-7; JWH: gr. 6-8; Amazon: YA What sort of advanced education do you plan to undertake? What outside forces have made it difficult to pursue your educational goal? How have you resolved those impediments? Have others reacted negatively to your talents? Is learning and problem-solving a positive end in itself? What obligations do the gifted and talented have towards others? How important is fame or recognition to you? How does Bowditch’s experiences affect your thoughts on teaching? Bowditch, Nathaniel, 1773-1838 --Juvenile fiction. Bowditch, Nathaniel, 1773-1838 --Fiction. Mathematicians --Fiction. Astronomers --Fiction. Navigation --Fiction. Seafaring life --Fiction. Salem (Mass.) --History --18th century --Fiction Nathaniel Bowditch, Bowditch family, Capt. Prince, fellow sailors [] [] [] [] [] **Reviews:** Joslyn, Amy. //School Library Journal//, May2010, Vol. 56 Issue 5, p60 Newbery Award, 1956 Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #20,964 Early death of Bowditch’s mother, a brother, his wife, and others; father’s alcoholism; stereotyping of some ethnic groups by characters; references to seal hunting.
 * Book Type:**
 * Reading Level:**
 * Bibliotherapy Themes & Questions:**
 * Subject Headings:**
 * Online Lesson Plans & Resources:**
 * Content Advisory:**
 * Recommended by:** BJ Hampton