PB 14:14 Day 2 ~ BARACK

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?