Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France

by Mara Rockliff, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator)

Discover how Benjamin Franklin’s scientific method challenged a certain Dr. Mesmer’s mysterious powers in a whimsical look at a true moment in history.

The day Ben Franklin first set foot in Paris, France, he found the city all abuzz. Everyone was talking about something new. Remarkable. Thrilling. Strange. Something called Science!

But soon the straightforward American inventor Benjamin Franklin is upstaged by a compelling and enigmatic figure: Dr. Mesmer. In elaborately staged shows, Mesmer, wearing a fancy coat of purple silk and carrying an iron wand, convinces the people of Paris that he controls a magic force that can make water taste like a hundred different things, cure illness, and control thoughts! But Ben Franklin is not convinced. Will his practical approach of observing, hypothesizing, and testing get to the bottom of the mysterious Mesmer’s tricks? A rip-roaring, lavishly illustrated peek into a fascinating moment in history shows the development and practice of the scientific method—and reveals the amazing power of the human mind.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Science, Childrens, Biography, Historical

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 23, 2014

About the author

Mara Rockliff is the author of many well-loved books for children. Her newest picture book is All at Once Upon a Time, about which Booklist warns, "Be prepared for this amusing storytime selection to be requested over and over."

Among her best-known titles are Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, winner of the Cook Prize and an Orbis Pictus Honor; Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, distributed to schools and libraries across the country by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission; and Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which in 2023 received a Sibert Honor from the American Library Association.

Under the pen name Lewis B. Montgomery, she also wrote all twelve books in the popular Milo & Jazz Mysteries chapter book series, which has been translated into Spanish, French, Turkish, and Chinese.

Rockliff lives in Western Massachusetts. Visit her online at mararockliff.com.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the final 20 Goodreads nominees for 2015, this is the story of Ben Franklin and his scientific debunking of French "psychic" Mesmer. Shows how he used scientific deduction to do it, an inspiration to young elementary school sleuths and scientists.

In my house:

Dave 4 stars
Tara 3.5 stars
Harry (10) 3 stars
Henry (9) 5 stars (the one kid who seems most interested in math and science, so it was written for him!)
Lyra (8) 3.5 stars.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting tale of how the scientific method butted heads with pseudo-science courtesy of Ben Franklin.

Ben, we could really use you around today to explain fake news, global warming, etc . . .

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd heard of Mesmer, but never knew that it was Benjamin Franklin who debunked his "science." I love the way the story was told here, the way the text and illustrations combined and intertwined, and the illustrator's slight injection of humor. (I noticed how he drew mesmerizing concentric circles for the endpages--rather dizzying!) What I liked best was how Rockliff pointed out along the way the steps in the scientific method as Franklin was doing them. What a great example to young scientists! She also describes with excellent clarity the placebo effect that Mesmer was creating. This is an outstanding science and history book that I highly recommend.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! In writing a fascinating and entertaining glimpse into history and science, Rockliff manages something quite difficult: discrediting something (or someone) without completely devaluing it. It would have been easy to paint Dr. Mesmer as a villain, just as it would have been easy for the early scientists to have simply written off his work as a sham without finding any lasting value from the experiment. (Well, okay, I actually remain a bit unclear as to whether Mesmer truly believed in his work as a force of good? Or whether he was in it to make money and bring himself fame? I would have liked a bit more clarity on that.) But, science learned something from Mesmer's practice. "Although he never realized it, Dr. Mesmer had made an important discovery after all: THE PLACEBO EFFECT. Sometimes, a treatment works simply because people expect it to. Believe can be powerful medicine! [...] What about the people who feel better after taking a placebo? Think of Dr. Mesmer's patients... Their feelings were real, even if the force supposed to be at work wasn't. And while not all of them recovered from their illness, many did." Mesmer's assistant physician Charles D'Eslon said, after Franklin disproved the magnetism itself as actually producing any effect, "If the medicine of the imagination is the best, why shouldn't we practice it?" As we know, many doctors and others in healing fields continue to explore these ideas today.

This story is chock full of fascinating tidbits and the author's note at the back is even more educational. (For example, I learned that Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin opposed the death penalty!) The illustrations weave beautifully into the story, they are exquisite, expressive, entertaining and evocative of the era. I highly recommend it to those interested in history, science and the power of the human mind. (I'm really enjoying all of the biographies by Rockliff that I'm encountering at my local library.)

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an exercise in excess. After 41 pages of picture book, it finds it necessary to include a full four additional pages of text to tell the story over.

The picture book section overdoses on typefaces, font sizes, bold face, italics - yuck. Just because one can have ten different typefaces on a page doesn't mean that one should. For all the talk of Franklin being a "plain and simple" apple pie compared to Mesmer, a "fancy layered torte," it's too bad the designer didn't get the message.

I have a big objection to the book's start: "Everyone was talking about something new -- remarkable, thrilling, and strange. Something called...Science." (p.8). News flash: science was not new in 1776. Science has a history that goes back to Vesalius, Aristotle, the Egyptians, the Sumerians, the Chinese - basically every civilization on earth. It's myopic and offensive to suggest that late 18th century Europe "invented" or "discovered" science. This ahistorical nonsense is not something I want children to learn. Certainly the point that Europeans had a popular interest in things scientific could be presented in a much less sensationalist manner.

I'm not crazy about the first name basis - Franklin is pretty much always "Ben" but Mesmer is "Mesmer" or "Dr. Mesmer." Charles D'Elson is always "Charles." I don't put this in the same category as a humorous book like Ben and Me.

Illustrations are nice - no complaints about the style, although the scientific diagrams are not explained in the text, so I'm not sure how useful they are.

There is a good story in this (although it is forced to share space with an introduction to the scientific method) and there is plenty of information, but there is also a lot of room for improvement.

[Katie Lalor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this captivating story of Ben Franklin and Dr.Mesmer, and how this true story has changed science/scientific method. The pictures and text were very unique. It made it more attention grabbing with all the little details the illustrations had on the pages.

[SamZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this fun story illustrating the use of the Scientific Method. I also really enjoyed the fact that it features one of history's most famous scientists, Benjamin Franklin. This true story (further fleshed out with an author's note at the end) tells about Franklin's visit in Paris and the amazing healing "force" practiced by Dr. Mesmer. I loved the way the scientific method was broken down throughout the book as Franklin tested Mesmer's ideas; and I further loved the nod to the Placebo effect that Mesmer inadvertently discovered through the use of his hypnosis and healing sessions. The illustrations are fun and the text is used visually as well to enhance the story. This would be perfect for an older elementary class (ages 8-12) learning about the scientific method and it's practical uses.

[Maxwell Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Goodreads Choice Award nominee that I don’t really get the hype about. Yeah it’s about cool science stuff like electricity and hypnotherapy, but the layout of the writing is all over the page and is more styled like an olden day poster which was distracting for mummy to read, but necessary from a design standpoint as it tried to cram so much story into each page. I still scratched each page enthusiastically, making noises with my long nails. Mummy really should get on that and trim them - don’t want me accidentally hurting the book, especially seeing as it’s in loan fro me the Casey Cardinia Library!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of scientific method, history and biography are all included in this story that tells about one of the lesser known aspects of Benjamin Franklin's trip to Paris. He is asked to look into the doings of a Dr. Mesmer. Cool story, excellent layout and design, well told. This entire book was awesome all the way around. I love these stories that offer so much more than a cutesy story.

[Hastings75 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed to read a science book for the 2016 Read Harder Challenge and this one suited my purposes.

Whilst short, I found it informative and very interesting. I was not aware the role Ben Franklin played in the development of science (in addition to his kite flying experiment) so this book has left me wiser.

Gets a scientific theory across in layman terms.

Recommend it to readers of all ages.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books like this really make history come to life. The illustrations are fantastic, with clean lines and careful layouts. My favorite part is Mesmer's canary alarm clock, a gem of a fact you don't get unless you read the backmatter.

[Bea Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and layout. For older kids being introduced to the scientific method and new words (who knew the origin of the word mesmerized was a person?!?)

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incorporation of story into the illustrations is amazing. Great non-fiction with source info included.

[Angelee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Benjamin Franklin went to Paris and heard every one talking about something new. He was curious and he found out what it was, guess what it was...? Something very intriguing called... SCIENCE. "There is a magic force that he Mesmer controls". This is what he convinces the people about. Read book and find out what happens through out this story. .....

This was a very intriguing story. I liked the way they put the pictures for the people to see the visualization. This book is short but good. I was very intrigued when reading this book. I hope that, if you read this book, that you may like. It tells you about the history of Benjamin and Mesmer, and what they did to the people throughout Paris,France. I recommend this to anyone who likes history and would like to know more about Benjamin Franklin and Mesmer, and what they did.

[Angela Blount · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsnon...

Suggested subtitle: A Founding Father’s Hypnotic Sidequest

Mesmerized is a gorgeously illustrated book with a strong Middle Grade appeal. It’s a fascinating tidbit of history blended with foundational science—an appealing balance of subtle teaching and masterful storytelling.

This true-to-life story follows Benjamin Franklin’s visit to France in the midst of the American Revolution. Famous for proving that lightening is a form of electricity, Franklin hopes to use his novel influence to sway the King and Queen of France into providing war aid. As it turns out, there is something the King and Queen need his help with. A mysterious man named Dr. Mesmer is making a fortune off of his seeming ability to command people’s perceptions, driving medical doctors to distress and nearly everyone to distraction. But is this “power” mystical, or merely suggestion?

The book covers the base concept of how to employ the scientific method: Hypothesis, Testing, Observation, and Conclusion. While the telling uses a few wording choices that essentially vilify Dr. Mesmer’s conduct, it does end by giving him credit for his inadvertent contributions to medical science. By way of the non-fictional plot, it ultimately demonstrates how “blind testing” came to be utilized, and how legitimately powerful the placebo effect can be.

Rockcliff’s style makes keen use of flavorful wording and variable font sizes to get her points across—without any hint of a dry textbook ambiance. Coming in at 45 pages of whimsical diversity and widely ranging content density, this story is well suited to children between the ages (or comprehension level) of 8 to 12 years. In addition, adults will easily be able to appreciate its offerings—as the delivery is charming, and it has the potential to fill in a learning gap for those of us who missed this fascinating slice of historical truth.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is the case for many readers, I never can get enough about Ben Franklin. Perhaps I and other history buffs are intrigued by his involvement in publishing and his wise sayings or his political prowess--or maybe, it's those fascinating science experiments of his--that keep us coming back for more. This account of Franklin's trip to France relates how he used the scientific method to debunk the questionable healing practices of Dr. Franz Mesmer who claimed to use magnets and invisible forces to cure his patients. As it turns out, the power of suggestion and the placebo effect may have something to do with how someone starts to feel better. While some might dislike the dramatic embellishments in the ornate illustrations, created with pencil and then colored digitally, they capture the times perfectly and allow readers to witness for themselves just how mesmerized those Parisians were. The lively text and dramatic images make a subject that might not have been all that interesting quite noteworthy. the inclusion of sources and additional background about Franklin and Mesmer guarantee that readers will want to learn even more. Although science teachers could use this to introduce the scientific method, history teachers could also rely on this book to expand on their students' knowledge about Ben Franklin. However it is used--even just as a delightful read--it highlights a little-discussed event in the inventor's life.

[Coley Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paris - 1776; a time of extravagance, a time of excess and a time of wonder. However in America, it was a time of war. Benjamin Franklin travels across the ocean to ask King Louis and Marie Antoinette for more troops to fight the British. Upon his arrival, he meets a charlatan by the name of Dr. Mesmer. Mesmer claims to cure people with his magic iron wand. Little did Mesmer know that Franklin was on to his scam. Ben introduces the Scientific Method to the audience and proves Mesmer wrong by using facts and data thus verifying him to be an imposter. The good people of Paris chase Mesmer out of the city and Ben Franklin is deemed a hero.
This book is fantastic as it combines history, science and literature with hypnotizing illustrations. You can most definitely use this book to teach the Scientific Method and the Placebo Effect; however, I would use it to teach character traits (round and dynamic characters, compare and contrast character traits), or checking historical facts. By utilizing the colorful Mesmer as the antagonist, students can come to the conclusion that common sense can outweigh “magic”. The illustrations and writing are captivating and pull the reader into a time when people were amazed by bells and whistles - not factual information. This book was definitely a “WOW”!

[Arleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the American Revolution, an elderly Benjamin Franklin is recruited to journey across the Atlantic Ocean to meet with the King and Queen of France to request funds for the war against their mutual enemy, the British. Ben, a world renowned inventor, arrives to find Paris feverishly seeking out a man called Dr. Mesmer, who was said to be able to cure all ills with a magic wand. After their state business is completed, King Louis asks Ben to discover whether this newfangled alternative to medicine is genuine or the work of a charlatan. Determined to assuage his own curiosity, Ben uses his “Scientific Method” to test Dr. Mesmer’s claims.

Based on Dr. Franz Mesmer’s theory of Animal Magnetism, this picture book includes short text and humorous illustrations that tell the story, while a few detailed pages at the end give historical facts about the topic and characters. It features phrases in French, which can be easily translated using context clues. Visually, the interior boards are covered with an optical illusion pattern that matches the title and theme. Pages are varied with vector silhouettes, antique flourishes, and gorgeous illustrations in a box style that holds interest. This is a beautiful and informative book for Elementary-aged children.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an introduction to non-fiction, this picture book captures the essence of many things. The illustrations are humorously droll. The artist uses reds, browns, and burnt sienna to give richness to the compartmentalized illustrations. The typesetting lends emphasis and French eloquence, Merci beaucoup.

Young readers will learn....
--That Ben Franklin was an American Statesman, an inventor, and a scientist.
--That a method of healing in France was debunked by Ben Franklin using the scientific method.
--The origin of the word MESMERIZED.

Young readers will enjoy this delightfully informative and educational story as Ben Franklin goes about the eloquently fashionable French Court debunking with the scientific method. This foray into the realm of non-fiction will leave young readers asking for more. Desiring to learn more. Looking to their librarians, teachers, and parents for more opportunities to learn about words, history, science.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by the publisher, Candlewick Press, to facilitate this review. Opinions are just mine. I was not compensated for this review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When in 1776 Benjamin Franklin visited Paris, he found the city absolutely berserk about Dr. Mesmer, who claimed to have discovered a powerful force. He also claimed to be able to use this force to make people "feel" things that weren't there, or taste water like vinegar or strawberries, etc. Some people was sure they have been cured by Dr. Mesmer's force.

Ben Franklin volunteered to be mesmerized too, but nothing happened to him. That's when he hypothesized about the force being in the patients' mind, and not in Dr. Mesmer's hand. He used the scientific method to test his idea, and asked Dr. Mesmer to apply his "force" to blinded patients. Needless to say that nothing happened. The test supported his hypothesis. Dr. Mesmer's force didn't exist.

The book explains in an engaging and clear way not only this story about Ben Franklin and Dr. Mesmer, but also what being mesmerized is, and how we still use this principle in placebos. This story includes history, science and the illustrations are amazing. Strongly recommended!

Age range: 6 years old and up

Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!

[Adair Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerized is an informational text I would recommend for students in 3rd/4th grade. This book is about Benjamin Franklin and his encounters with the French government and Dr. Mesmer. We learn about his relationship with King Henry and some of his accomplishments. We learn that Dr. Mesmer made popular a type of "science" that is still used today and is often called hypnotism. This book offers historical content while focusing on the scientific method.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach the scientific method to students. It goes through the vocabulary necessary to understand the scientific method, as well as examples of how to use the scientific method to both prove or disprove something. I would also use this book when talking about the American revolution and the history of our country.

This book was so informational, I learned so much! Beautiful type and illustrations make it easy for students to be engaged and interested. I loved the way it incorporated both science and history to show how the subjects can connect/overlap. Overall, this book was a must read for upper grades classrooms!

[American Mensa · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I didn't want to read this book. It was confusing because there are French words, and cursive writing, and the way the words are laid out on the pages was frustrating me. I'm glad I did read it, though, because I really liked it. I love science and this book is all about science. It is about a new invention or discovery of Dr. Mesmer, and how Ben Franklin discovered what the new invention really was. I didn't like the way Dr. Mesmer bragged about his invention. My favorite part of the book is when Ben Franklin makes his discovery. It is written very romantically, and the author had a lot of emotion and feeling when writing this book. I thought it was very interesting that people's minds can cure them. The drawings go really well with this story. I think this book would be great for anyone ages six and older who likes science and new inventions. This book is historical fiction.
Review by Aubrey L. Age 7, Mensa Greater New York

[Amy Fay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose to twin text Mesmerized with the book "Mad Margaret Experiments with the Scientific Method." Both books show examples of using the scientific method to solve problems. I would read these books with a science lesson right before using the scientific method for something. I would start the lesson out by having students fill out a KWL chart about scientific method. They would start out by righting what they know about the scientific method, it could be anything. Then we will move onto the section about what they want to know. We will then read both the books out loud starting with Mad Margaret Experiments with the Scientific Method. Once both books are read, students will fill out what they learned. What the students learned would reflect off the book.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben Franklin uses the scientific method to debunk Dr. Mesmer whose miracle "cures" weren't doing anything but mesmerizing his patients.

I like the way the terminology and the steps of the scientific method are presented here. I didn't like the formatting, though: too sensational.

The writing is good: informative and entertaining; readers are given the facts and the space with which to come to their own conclusions about the effectiveness of Dr. Mesmer's "cures."

Back matter consists of an afterword and sources used.

Pencil illustrations were finished digitally.

Recommended for grades 3-6.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that we can STILL learn new things about Ben Franklin! I didn't know that when he visited France, he was asked by King Louis XVI to investigate a Dr. Mesmer, who was supposedly hypnotizing people and curing their illnesses. Doctors were furious with Dr. Mesmer, but people flocked to him for their miraculous recoveries. Using the scientific method, Franklin proved that Dr. Mesmer's patients got better just because they BELIEVED they cured, inadvertently discovering the placebo effect. I really enjoyed the illustrations and the magic show tone the author created.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful picture book that does a great job of introducing children to the scientific method. It explains clearly how science can solve puzzling questions and perhaps even protect people from scam artists. The book also demonstrates how experiments are created and developed and fine tuned. The author's account of Benjamin Franklin's brilliance is highly entertaining, and the illustrations by Iacopo Bruno are dynamic. I would highly recommend! Parents will delight in this book, as well as Elementary school teachers.

[Jonathan Peto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book uses a story about Ben Franklin in Paris to demonstrate the scientific method. More importantly, it demonstrates how the scientific method is a useful and creative way of observing the world. It also gives readers a sense of another era, when important cutting edge scientific investigation often only required a sharp mind and everyday objects like a blindfold.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and that's coming from someone who generally disdains children's non-fiction because it's so dry and dull. Illustrating the scientific method (and Placebo effect) through a story about Ben Franklin, Marie Antoinette, and silly French people. Genius.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect content connection to science classes with scientific method explained through the course of telling the story of when Ben Franklin was in France. Interesting story I never knew, and delightful illustrations of the historical time period.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the way the scientific method was explained through demonstration. This is a book that has many illustration elements weaved in—and it works! It also shows kid readers the importance of testing ideas/fads for oneself.