THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY) by Barbara Kerley

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. 2010. THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY). Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780545125086.

PLOT SUMMARY

Barbara Kerley offers a new outlook on Mark Twain, as well as an innovative manner of depicting a biography. The story is told from the perspective of the infamous Mark Twain’s young daughter, Susy. She believes that while her father is well-known by the world, no one knows the actual man himself except her. She alone feels the push to describe his qualities and flaws accurately, peppering a heavy dose of his quirky nature and propensities. She begins her tale with the present of Mark Twain as her infamous father and her idea to begin said biography, in which continues on to chronicle his early life back to the present, all the while knowing he is secretly reading her entries. In the end, Mark Twain gives his stamp of approval of his biography and her accuracy as a biographer.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author provides an amusing picture of the personal life of Mark Twain, including all of his idiosyncrasies that are otherwise unknown to the public. The point of view of the biography redefines the personal touch of a daughter’s insight with all the flaws that transpire from the writing of teenage girl, such as misspellings. She places her author notes in quotations to signify epitaphs by her father. The position of the stylized writing on the page, as well as the strategic placement of the separate and smaller journal that opens like a book in center of the pages provides readers with the ability to easily differentiate the author’s voice from Susy’s.

The digitally enhanced illustrations provide a fanciful and Victorian reminiscence that is eccentric. The artistic images are eloquent and pairs well with the text perfectly. Edwin Fotheringham presents an accurate image of Mark Twain in outlandish and foolish situations, such as his riding of the donkey, Kiditchin that appears to buck him off. The quiet scenery that is so realistic to the time, while placing the comical cartoons strategically around the page as to make them “pop” off the canvas.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2010 CYBILS Nonfiction Picture Book Award

Best Children’s Books 2010 -- Publishers Weekly

Best Books 2010 -- School Library Journal

“Fotheringham’s stylized, digital illustrations are wonderfully freewheeling, sometimes comical, and as eccentric as Susy’s subject. Appended are author’s notes on Samuel and Susy Clemens, tips on writing a biography, a time line, and source notes for quotes.” Booklist

“Kerley dedicates an appended, one-page guide to writing biographies to Susy, a biographer who "applied no sandpaper" to her subject. Line-by-line sources of quotes, a time line, and an author's note on both Papa and Susy are appended. A delightful primer on researching and writing biographies and a joy to peruse.” School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS

Encourage children to write a biography about one of their parents to accurately depict them from a personal perspective. It would be fun to compare these journals in a class or discuss them with their parents.

Other Biographies to Read:

McDonough, Yona Zeldis. 2009. LOUISA: THE LIFE OF LOUISA MAY ALCOTT. Ill. by Bethanne Anderson. New York, NY. Henry Holt & Co. ISBN : 978-0805081923

Nelson, S. D. 2010. BLACK ELK’S VISION: A LAKOTA STORY. New York, NY. Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0810983991