Continuing the PB 14:14 Challenge, I will review BARACK and focus on one of the Top 10 Story Elements for Picture Books through the analysis format.
Title: BARACK
Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator: A.G. Ford
Type: Nonfiction
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publishing Year: 2010
Word Count: 1288-words
Summary:This illustrated biography of Barack Obama focuses on his family origins and childhood.
Picture Book Element: Beginning/Ending and Pacing
I love this illustrated biography about the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
I love the story. Jonah Winter "hooked" me immediately.
BEGINNING: "Looking back, it's hard to believe how far he has come, the man whose name the world now knows - BARACK OBAMA. This is a journey that began in many places."
Now look at the ending. Is it satisfying? Did the author tie it in to the beginning? You be the judge.
ENDING: "Here, right here, in this country with its history of slavery and racism, an African-American named Barack Obama rose to unimaginable heights because he refused to let other people tell him who he was, because again, once again, his journey was just beginning."
* The author spoke of his journey in the beginning. And summed it up in the end. Yes, this ending is definitely satisfying.
I loved the PACING of this book. One of my favorite paragraphs which is a perfect example of pacing is:
"He arrived here during a dark time in American History. All across America, people were losing their jobs, losing their houses, losing their sense of hope.
Many people were tired of a war that had gone on too long. They were tired of fighting with their neighbors over politics. They were just tired."
I loved how the author used the power of three to drive his point home - "losing their jobs, losing their houses, losing their sense of hope." And "Many people were tired...They were tired...They were just tired."
What are you reading?
February is my favorite month for two reasons. One, it is Black History Month, a month to celebrate achievers and the spirit of the African-American culture. Two, it is month we celebrate Valentines Day.
Thanks Christie Wright Wild for this challenge, I will continue to celebrate and focus on nonfiction books which embraces our culture.
Today, my book of choice is:
Title: MALCOLM LITTLE: THE BOY WHO GREW UP TO BECOME MALCOLM X.
Author: Ilyasah Shabazz
Illustrator: A.G. Ford
Type: Nonfiction
Publisher: Atheneum
Publishing Year: 2013
Word Count: 3539-words
Summary: This biography of Malcolm X focuses on his childhood and the events that influenced later choices and actions in his life.
I love this book. I am a huge fan of Malcolm X. I always felt like he was misunderstood. I love the first sentence in the book.
BEGINNING: "Malcolm X was one of the most influential man in American History. But before he became Malcolm X, he was Malcolm Little."
The first page introduces Malcolm and his family. The book tells us that Malcolm's mother was from the West Indies (like me). It tells us he was a follower of Marcus Garvey (like me) {Marcus Garvey was born in Jamaica - like me}.
My favorite paragraph on the first page stated, "Malcolm's father was Earl Little, but there was nothing little about him. Papa Earl was a strong, broad, and towering man. His smooth dark skin was as beautiful as the midnight sky. His voice resounded like gentle thunder whenever he spoke. His protection and guidance stretched up and around his family like the great live oak trees in his home state of Georgia."
I love the use of lyrical language. The way the author refers to the midnight sky as beautiful. I love the first spread of his mother and father. A.G. Ford is amazing.
ENDING: "Malcolm Little, the boy who was raised on the vision of freedom and justice, was elected class president by the students in his seventh grade class!"
This is not the book ending. But I think this is where the book should have ended. It would have brought the story full circle. It would also show the development of Malcolm as a leader. It showed that he was destined to lead the life of an activist.
What are you reading?
