Informational Text: The Extraoridinary Mark Twain: According To Susy

 

Bibliography

Kerley, Barbara. 2010.  The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy).Ill by. Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic Press.  ISBN 978-0-545-12508-6

Plot Summary

This bibliography is written about the famous Mark Twain.  Susy, Twain's daughter,  decided to write a bibliography about her father because she felt like everybody was "just plain wrong about him."  Susy  started writing secretly about her father until one day her mother found her journal and from then on it was an interesting project that her mother and father appreciated and complimented. 

Critical Analysis        

Susy was frustrated at the way people thought they knew her father.  Yes, he was a "world-famous author, quoted here, there, and everywhere," but no one knew Mark Twain like Susy did.  This is a charming, fresh way to look at Mark Twain, after you read this book you will have a "new" outlook on the real Mark Twain.  Susy shows the reality of her father- the good and not so good.  This book is very creative and well put together.  Inserted in this oversized volume are mini-journals, stapled to the book spine, which include excerpts from Susy's actual text in script, misspellings and all.  The misspellings in the journal allow for the reader to connect with the realness of Susy.  The illustrations are rich and detailed.  Every picture is connected to the text on the page.  This book puts a playful spin on bibliographies.

Reviews Excerpts/Awards/Honors

Starred Kirkus Reviews, "A gleeful celebration of a fully, unapologetically led life."

Starred Booklist Review, "The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art."

The New York Times, "Kerley reveals the essence of Alice in an upbeat account of her life."

Connections       

* Have students create a diary.

*Read other books written by Barbara Kerley such as, What To Do About Alice?, Walt Whitman: Words For America, A Cool Drink of Water, A Little Peace.

*Let the children write about one parent.

*List character traits for Mark Twain.             

*Observe someone at school and write about them, just as Susy did.