Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery That Baffled All of France

"Together, Rockliff and Bruno make the scientific method seem exciting, and kids interested in science and history will likely be, well, mesmerized." -- Booklist (starred review)

When American inventor Benjamin Franklin arrives in Paris, he is upstaged by a compelling and enigmatic figure: Dr. Mesmer. In elaborately staged shows, Mesmer has Parisians believing he can control a magic force that changes the taste of water, cures illness, and controls thoughts Can Ben Franklin's approach of observing, hypothesizing, and testing get to the bottom of Mesmer's tricks? A rip-roaring, lavishly illustrated peek into a fascinating moment in history shows the development of the scientific method -- and reveals the amazing power of the human mind.

Mara Rockliff is the author of many books for children, including The Busiest Street in Town and Me and Momma and Big John, winner of a Golden Kite Award. Mara Rockliff lives in eastern Pennsylvania with her family.

Iacopo Bruno is an illustrator and graphic designer living in Milan, Italy.