Saturday, August 6, 2011

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According To Susy)
Bluebonnet Nominee 2011-2012

Kerley, B. (2010). The extraordinary Mark Twain (according to Susy).  
     New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

This biography of Mark Twain is based on a biography that his 13 year old daughter started writing about her Papa.  She didn't like that everyone thought they knew her Papa, when they didn't know the real Mark Twain.  Susy's biography includes both his good days and rough days as a writer, a father, a husband and a man.  After her Papa learned about her biography, he started making big, bold statements for her to add.  Mark Twain regarded Susy's biography as the biggest compliment he ever received. 

The form of this picture book is wonderful.  The illustrations are full page, full color and include lots of squiggles which add motion.  It also includes many small journal inserts for the reader to open and read Susy's words directly.  It helps the reader see what Susy wrote and what the author wrote.  I think this is an ingenious book!

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