Melvil Dewey: Library Genius cover

Melvil Dewey: Library Genius

Author: Sherman, Jill

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 8.1
Points 2.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Nonfiction
Word Count 13510
Points per Word 0.000148
Page Count 112
Points per Page 0.017857

Description

The book is a biography of Melvil Dewey, the American librarian who created the Dewey Decimal Classification system in 1879. It follows his early life, his work at the New York State Library, and his campaign to standardize how libraries organize their collections. The biography also covers his later endeavors, such as founding the Lake Placid Club, and assesses the lasting impact of his classification system on libraries worldwide.

Quick Summary

Imagine turning your obsession with organizing your bedroom into a system still used by libraries around the world more than 140 years later. Kids will love discovering Dewey's rebellious school days, his crazy ideas that made libraries friendlier, and the feuds he started with people who thought his methods were too unusual. If your kid loves biographies about bold, slightly stubborn history changers like "Who Was Albert Einstein?" they'll eat this up. Perfect for curious readers ages 9-12 in grades 4-7 who enjoy true stories about people who dared to think differently.