Nathaniel Bowditch is my "PRETEEN HERO!"
Have you ever read the book Carry On, Mr. Bowditch?
IF not, here is a quick summary as i just finished reading it for class. Maybe you didn't know this but Nathaniel Bowditch is somewhat of a "PRETEEN HERO!"
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a story written by Jean Lee Latham.
It takes place during the time of the Revolutionary War in Salem Massachusetts. Nat Bowditch is the main character who especially loved math, dreamed of going to Harvard, and wrote The American Practical Navigator. This is a true story of his life, from when he was four yrs of age to when he died.
At a young age Nathaniel Bowditch was very smart and a very hard worker. As he grew older he loved math, he wanted to go to school, and figure lunars. But he was unable to go to school because his family was poor. At age twelve his father indentured him. A quote his father said was, “One less mouth to feed.” Nate was sad but he did not let it keep him from his dreams. So while he was indentured to Ropes And Hodges Chandlery he not only learned trade and mystery, but he also taught himself math, Latin, and navigation. He even made an almanac at twelve yrs old. Eventually he became a famous nineteenth century mathematician and navigator.
The story of Nathaniel Bowditch is an important story that matters because it is a story of turning hopelessness into victory. Nat showed this by, sailing by ash breeze. This was a major theme in this story. He never, never, never, gave up. His persistence inspired those around him to do the same. He took something hard that could destroy his life and made something good out of it.
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