A Man for All Seasons: The Life of George Washington Carver by Stephen Krensky

Carver especially liked the peanut. It was easy to grow and very nutritious. He created dozens of new things from it - peanut milk, peanut flour, even peanut-skin cream.

Ten Things You Might Learn about George Washington Carver

1. He was an orphan. The slave owners who had owned his parents raised him and his brother even though the Civil War was over and slavery was illegal.
2. He was unable to attend school because he was black, so he sat outside and listened to the lessons.
3. While getting an education, he did many odd jobs: cooking, carpentry, and running a laundry service.
4. He wasn't born with a middle name. He chose Washington because he admired George Washington.
5. He was the first black graduate of a white college.
6. He recycled items from the city dump and used them as lab supplies.
7. He refused to use chemicals or pesticides when farming.
8. He exhibited a painting at the World's Fair.
9. In some public dining rooms, he was not allowed to eat dinner even thought he was the main speaker.
10. He once hosted a large dinner for key businessmen using only peanut products.

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