Heather E. Schwartz - Joe Biden: From Scranton to the White House

JOE

BIDEN

Lerner Publications Minneapolis

Heather E. Schwartz

JOE

BIDEN

From Scranton to the White House

Copyright 2021 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

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Image credits: David Lienemann/The White House, p. 2; AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, pp. 6, 12; David l Sanchez/Shutterstock.com, p. 9; Donlelel/Wikimedia Commons, p. 11; Bettmann/Getty Images, p. 15; AP Photo/Uncredited, p. 17; AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, p. 18; mark reinstein/ Shutterstock.com, p. 20; AP Photo/Lana Harris, pp. 21, 22; AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, p. 23; AP Photo/Adele Starr, p. 25; AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, p. 27; Rob Crandall/Shutterstock.com, p. 28; AP Photo/Barry Thumma, p. 29; AP Photo/Abaca Press, p. 31; AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, p. 33; AP Photo/Pat Crowe II, p. 34; AP Photo/Susan Walsh, p. 35; Kim Kelley-Wagner/ Shutterstock.com, p. 37; AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, p. 39; AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, p.

Cover: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster.

Main body text set in Rotis Serif Std Regular. Typeface provided by Adobe Systems.

Editor: Rebecca Higgins Designer: Mary Ross Photo Editor: Brianna Kaiser

Lerner team: Sue Marquis

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Schwartz, Heather E., author.

Title: Joe Biden : from Scranton to the White House / Heather E. Schwartz.

Description: Minneapolis, MN : Lerner Publications, 2021. | Series: Gateway biographies | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Ages | Audience: Grades | Summary: Former Vice President Joe Biden played an essential role in the Obama administration. Follow his career from Delawares longest-serving senator to his race back to the White HouseProvided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020047486 (print) | LCCN 2020047487 (ebook) | ISBN 9781728420592 (library binding) | ISBN 9781728420615 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Biden, Joseph R., Jr.Juvenile literature. | Vice-presidentsUnited States BiographyJuvenile literature. | Presidential candidatesUnited StatesBiographyJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC E840.8.B54 S45 2021 (print) | LCC E840.8.B54 (ebook) | DDC 973.932092 [B]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020047486

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020047487

Manufactured in the United States of America

1-49152-49300-11/9/2020

Table of Contents

J oe Biden had waited his whole career for this moment. On August 20, 2020, he stood in the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, without a crowd before him. But he didnt need one. Biden accepted the nomination to be the Democratic Party candidate in the upcoming election for president of the United States.

While the COVID-19 pandemic made large gatherings unsafe, that didnt stop supporters from turning out for Biden. The Democratic National Convention moved online and became a virtual hit. About twenty-five million people watched Biden speak on-screen, while some dedicated supporters showed up in the parking lot outside the Chase Center.

Biden addressed the pandemic and promised to be a better leader than President Donald Trump was. He also talked about leading the country forward on other issues, such as the economic crisis, climate change, and the need for racial justice.

Here and now I give you my word, if you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst, Biden said. I will be an ally of the light, not the darkness. And make no mistake, united we can and will overcome this season of darkness in America. Well choose hope over fear, facts over fiction, fairness over privilege.

Biden promised to work hard for all Americans, even those who voted against him. Many believed it was the best speech of his career. With decades of experience in politics behind him, Biden was ready to run for the highest office of all. And the win was within reach.

Struggling Student

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was born on November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was the first of four children. His father, Joseph Biden Sr., was a used car salesman who also cleaned furnaces. Joes mother, Catherine Eugenia Jean Finnegan, was a strong force of guidance and love for Joe and his siblings. When Joe was ten, he and his family moved to Delaware.

Growing up, Joe was bullied by other kids. They called him names and made fun of him for stuttering. His parents taught him to be tough and to stand up for himself, even if it meant physically fighting bullies in the neighborhood.