1. Like many of the colonists, Franklin was a master of many trades. He was a businessman, statesman, scientist, and writer—so were Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Have times changed so that one person can no longer excel in many fields?

2. Thomas Jefferson is considered the author of the Declaration of Independence. James Madison was the major architect of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. George Washington was the dominant figure in the War for Independence. Yet Franklin is considered a major force in the founding of our country. What were his unique contributions to the establishment of the United States?

3. Meltzer calls Franklin the most accessible of our Founding Fathers.

What do you think makes Franklin so?

4. Franklin's religious belief was simple: "Serving God is doing good to man." What did he mean by that? Do you agree with him?

5. Franklin chaired...