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  • Published: 4 February 2020
  • ISBN: 9780525646075
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $40.00

Bones in the White House

Thomas Jefferson's Mammoth



A little-known, fascinating story about Thomas Jefferson and his obsessive quest to find America's first complete mastodon skeleton.

A little-known, fascinating story about Thomas Jefferson and his obsessive quest to find America's first complete mastodon skeleton.

Thomas Jefferson: Third president of the United States. Author of the Declaration of Independence. Obsessive prehistoric mammal hunter?? It's true! In this little-known slice of American history, see Thomas Jefferson as never before!

In the late 1700's, America was a new nation, with a vast west that held age-old secrets: Bones! Massive tusks and enormous animal skeletons were being discovered and Thomas Jefferson - politician AND scientist - was captivated. What were these giant beasts? Did they still roam on American soil? Jefferson needed to find out. Funding explorers, including the famed Lewis and Clark, Jefferson sought to find a complete prehistoric mastodon skeleton - one which would advance the young science of paleontology, but would also put this upstart young country on the world stage. Follow along on the incredible journey - full of triumphs and disappointments, discoveries and shipwrecks, ridicule and victory.

Author Candice Ransom researched this amazing story for years before telling this tale, closely collaborating with Jefferson scholars and natural history experts. Jamey Christoph's moody, luminous illustrations paint the scene: A young country, a president with a thirst for knowledge, and an obsessive, years-long quest to find the prehistoric bones that would prove the importance of a growing nation.

  • Published: 4 February 2020
  • ISBN: 9780525646075
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $40.00

About the author

Candice Ransom

CANDICE RANSOM is the author of more than ninety books for children. Her books have been named to many noteworthy lists including ALA's Recommended Books for Reluctant Readers, ABA's Pick of the List, the New York Public Library's One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing, IRA Children's Choice, and IRA Teacher's Choice. Candice holds a Masters in Writing for Children from Vermont College and is currently earning her Masters in Children's Literature at Hollins University. She lives with her husband and four cats in George Washington's boyhood hometown: Fredericksburg, Virginia.

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