This week I read A Man for All Seasons: The Life of George Washington Carver, written by Stephen Krnesky, and illustrated by Wil Clay, and I really enjoyed it.

I’ll start with the writing—nothing that calls attention to itself, just an unfolding of Mr. Carver’s story from his birth to his death in about 1300 words or so. Yikes! How do you summarize a great man’s life in so few words? Stephen Krensky did a wonderful job. He focused, I think, on Carver’s desire to learn all he could and to give back all he could.

George Carver was an orphan raised by white slave-owners he called Aunt and Uncle. All his life, George suffered abuse from white people that felt superior to black people. He was, I’ve no doubt, persecuted by men who were not as smart or as wise or as good as he was, and yet George, instead of fighting, kept his focus on giving. He wanted to freely pass on the knowledge God had given to him.

I loved this story. I find men like this—ones who walk patiently under persecution—to be inspiring.

I also liked the pictures in this book very much. I love young George with the tomato plants and old George with letters from all over the world asking his advice—a man of learning and of peace.

This is a wonderful book. One that makes me wish I could sit down with George Washington Carver and talk with him awhile.

For more great nonfiction book discussion, stop by the Lerner Publishing Group blog.