Bibliography
Kerley,
Barbara. THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY). Ill. by Edwin
Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010. ISBN 0545125086.
Plot Summary
Bothered that so many people knew her father without really knowing her father, Susy Clemens decided
to write his biography herself. Most people know Mark Twain as a humorist, but
his 13-year-old daughter wanted others to know that he was more than just a
funny person. In THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY), author
Barbara Kerley gives a history of the renowned Mark Twain, as told by his daughter,
Susy, in her journal.
Critical Analysis
The prose of author
Barbara Kerley and illustrator Edwin Fotheringham, tell the story, THE
EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY), with vibrant illustrations,
flowing text, and lively font choices. The addition of handwritten entries from
Susy’s actual journal are displayed in a type of book-within-a-book format
where there are separate, smaller pages attached to the book’s larger pages. Impeccably,
the text flows with Susy's chronicled details of Mark Twain’s private life and work
during his most fertile years.
Fotheringham’s inventive illustrations are dynamic
and tell the story along with the text. Kerley includes a guide to writing
biographies that could be valuable in teaching elementary and middle school
students about biographies. The book is organized like a picture book, though
the author has provided a list of sources of for the quotes used in the text, a
time line, and an author's note that explains Kerley’s interest in Mark Twain
lead to learning about Susy’s journal, which lead to writing this book.
Review Excerpt(s)
2010 CYBILS
Nonfiction Picture Book Award
NCTE Orbis
Pictus Recommended Book
From School Library Journal
“A delightful
primer on researching and writing biographies, and a joy to peruse.” Sara
Paulson-Yarovoy
From Booklist
“Though a
story about someone writing a book sounds a bit static—and it sometimes
is—Kerley manages to bring Susy and her famous father to life using plenty of
household anecdotes.” Carolyn Phelan
Book
Connections
Other books
written by Barbara Kerley:
WHAT TO DO
ABOUT ALICE?: HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE THE RULES, CHARMED THE WORLD, AND DROVE
HER FATHER TEDDY CRAZY!, ISBN 0439922313.
A HOME FOR MR.
EMERSON, ISBN 0545350883.
THOSE REBELS,
JOHN AND TOM, ISBN 0545222680.
Other biographies
about Mark Twain:
Rasmussen,
R. Kent. MARK TWAIN FOR KIDS: HIS LIFE & TIMES, ISBN 1435261046.
Fleischman,
Sid. THE TROUBLE BEGINS AT 8: A LIFE OF MARK TWAIN IN THE WILD, WILD WEST, ISBN
0061344311.
Burleigh,
Robert. THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN BY HUCKLEBERRY FINN, ISBN 0689830416.
Activities
for THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY):
- After reading THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY), use the author’s guide for writing biographies included near the end of the book to help students learn the elements of a biography.
- Read THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY), create a graphic organizer of what students learned about Mark Twain. Then read aloud or have students read one of Twain’s books and revisit the graphic organizer. Discuss with students their thoughts and perceptions about Twain before and after reading one of his books.
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