WALT WHITMAN: WORDS FOR AMERICA

Bibliographic Information:  Kerley, Barbara. Walt Whitman: Words For America. 2004. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York, NY : Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-439-35791-8.

Summary: 
The book is a picture-book biography of one of America’s most famous and respected poets.  It focuses on his youth and his years of serving as a nurse to injured and dying Civil War soldiers.  Readers will see Whitman’s passion for words, his country and the ordinary people who populate it. 

Critical Analysis:

Author Barbara Kerley is a Sibert Informational Book Medal winner for her 2009 book “What to Do About Alice?:  How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!”  She has written several informational books for children and is recognized as a reputable author in her field.  Walt Whitman: Words for America is a very interesting biography that is presented as lively and fun, with many beautiful illustrations by Brian Selznick – himself a Caldecott Medal winning illustrator and an author. 

From the book’s cover – which features an iconic image of Whitman in a cut-out style portrait – through the last page, we see a logical, clear sequence of lovingly detailed illustrations of Whitman’s life.  First, he is a young typesetter, later a volunteer nurse with Civil War soldiers and on battlefields and finally we see Whitman struggling with President Lincoln’s assassination as the rest of the country was.

The narrative of Whitman’s life is simple and straightforward and the author doesn’t overwhelm readers with facts in the body of the book.  Following the story, however, we are provided with extensive notes on Whitman, Lincoln and the era of (and after) the Civil War.  Selznick also includes a long note and then we see several of Whitman’s poems with notes.  A long list of sources and quotes used is further included.

The book is a wonderful introduction to Whitman.  We see him in all his humanity and are introduced to the best of his works.  Beautiful illustrations complement the narrative and the easy flow of the story makes it read like fiction in that it’s fun and entertaining.  Should readers wish to know more about Whitman, Lincoln and/or the Civil War, the extensive notes and resources listed will send them onward well-prepared to do just that.

Book Review Excerpts:

“Delightfully old-fashioned in design, its oversized pages are replete with graceful illustrations and snippets of poetry. The brilliantly inventive paintings add vibrant testimonial to the nuanced text.” - Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA -- Reviewed November 1, 2004 in School Library Journal (vol 50, issue 11, p166)

“Selznick's versatile illustrations encompass a stark realism…and surreal whimsy…Copious quotes from his poems and correspondence let Whitman's eloquent voice resonate through the pages, and bountiful source notes remove any doubt of these talented collaborators' affection and admiration for their subject—their enthusiasm is convincing and contagious.” – Staff.  Reviewed October 18, 2004 in Publishers Weekly (vol. 251, issue 42, p64).

“A cultural force rendered with power and immediacy for a new generation.” - Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2004.

Awards:

ALA Notable Children's Books - Middle Readers Category: 2005
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books: 2004
Parents' Choice Awards - Nonfiction: 2004
School Library Journal Best Books: 2004

Connections/Further Activities:

Follow up with more information on President Lincoln, the Civil War and Whitman’s own poetry.  Reading about these subjects or even screening excerpts from age-appropriate documentaries would help bring the experiences of Whitman’s life “home” to students.

Title Read-A-Likes:

Voice From Afar – Tony Johnston
Emily Dickinson's Letters To The World – Jeanette Winter
Carl Sandburg – Penelope Niven
Coming home – Floyd Cooper