George Crum and the Saratoga Chip

ISBN

9781600606564

Publisher & Publication Year

Lee and Low Books (2006)

Publisher's Book Page

Author

Gaylia Taylor

Author's Website

Illustrator

Frank Morrison

Illustrator's Website

Synopsis

Summary

Growing up in the 1830s in Saratoga Springs, New York, isn’t easy for George Crum. Picked on at school because of the color of his skin, George escapes into his favorite pastimes – hunting and fishing.

Soon George learns to cook too, and as a young man he lands a job as chef at the fancy Moon’s Lake House. George loves his work, except for the fussy customers, who are always complaining! One hot day George’s patience boils over, and he cooks up a potato dish so unique it changes his life forever.

Notable Achievements

Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year; Texas Bluebonnet Award Shortlist; Arkansas State Library Diamond Award Shortlist

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews: "Spinning lively invented details around skimpy historical records, Taylor profiles the 19th century chef credited with inventing the potato chip... The author leaves Crum presiding over a restaurant (also integrated) of his own, closes with a note separating fact from fiction and also lists her sources."

Link to Review

Educator Guide

This guide, created by the educators at Lee & Low Books, includes vocabulary, pre-reading questions, post-reading discussion questions, and interdisciplinary teaching activities.

Link to Guide