Walt Whitman Words For America - Informational



Bibliography:

Kerley, Barbara. 2004. WALT WHITMAN WORDS FOR AMERICA. Ill. By Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press. 0-439-35791-8.

Plot Summary:

At the age of 12 Walt Whitman worked as a printer’s apprentice and within “two years he was setting articles that he himself had written.”  When his first employer gave him a library card he later called that moment as “the signal event of my life up to that time.”  Walt Whitman’s goal was to help his country in some way; he discovered how to do this once the Civil War started.  Walt Whitman dedicated a large part of his life spending time with soldiers who were dying or who were severely injured during the Civil War.  He chronicled his experiences with these soldiers and ultimately wrote a book of poetry about the Civil War.  His experiences traveling the United States, the time spent with wounded and dying soldiers and his personal connection to President Abraham Lincoln shaped Walt Whitman’s poetry and helped make him one of the most famous American poets of our time.

Critical Analysis: 

Not many children or adults are aware of the work that Walt Whitman did during the Civil War; this book does an amazing job explaining everything Walt accomplished, why he did it and his amazing literary end result, Drum-Taps his book of Civil War poetry.  “The Good Gray Poet” wrote “….For all my days---not those of peace alone---the days of war the same…For all the brave strong men---devoted, hardy men---who’ve forward sprung in freedom’s help, all years, all lands….Thanks---joyful thanks!---a soldier’s, traveler’s thanks.”  Between the ways the story was written, so passionately and peaceful, to the beautiful illustrations depicting Walt and his journey it just makes you want to hug the man and say thank you.  At a time when so many men and woman are at war it’s a nice reminder to know there are people out there like Walt Whitman who are giving themselves selflessly to the wounded and dying soldiers.

The family element to this story is so refreshing too, as someone who has an older brother and to think not knowing if he’s harmed or even alive I cannot imagine what lengths I would go to get to him.  That is such a great element to the story and one children need to hear and identify with.  Reading about Walt rushing from hospital to hospital looking for his brother, not knowing what state his brother would be in when he was found was a bit heart wrenching.  It was wonderful to read at the end of the story how close Walt Whitman was to his parents and brothers and sisters, a man to truly admire and one for kids to look up to.

Barbera Kerley and Brian Selznick both stated within the book that they spent a tremendous amount of time researching Walt Whitman and his work with Civil War soldiers.  They were able to pull poems from his original works to incorporate them into the story but an actual photo of Walt Whitman is what began the research for the story.  Brian Selznick looked at many photographs taken during the Civil War times to create accuracy within the illustrations too.  Barbera Kerley and Brian Selznick did an amazing job taking real life information and images and turning them into an informational story that both children and adults will love.

 

 

Review Excerpts and Awards:

New York Times Bestseller

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

An exuberant picture-book biography that focuses on Whitman's formative years and his selfless work as a Civil War nurse. Delightfully old-fashioned in design, its oversized pages are replete with graceful illustrations and snippets of poetry. – School Library Journal

Connections:

·         I would love to see children research Walt Whitman further, read his poetry, pick out a favorite and read it aloud to the class.  He is such a phenomenal man and I think he goes unrecognized in today’s schools.

·         Abraham Lincoln was mentioned briefly throughout this story; this is a great opportunity for children to research him further to read about his beliefs on slavery in the south and why he fought so hard to abolish it.  I would incorporate books on Abraham Lincoln in with this book and have a full discussion on slavery, why it’s wrong and what it would be like to grow up as a slave.