Children's Literature Reviewed: Walt Whitman: Words for America

Full Bibliographic Data for:

Walt Whitman: Words for America

Author: Barbara Kerley

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Place of Publication: New York, NY

Date of Publication: 2004

ISBN: 0-439-35791-8

Summary: Meet Walt Whitman as an adolescent who discovers his passion for words and immerses himself wholeheartedly. Follow Walt as he grows into a man who discovers the turmoil of war and becomes just as passionate about serving the victims he encounters as he is about the language he uses to interact with them. Finally, the war ends and Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. Walt struggles, with the rest of the nation, to resume some sort of normalcy in his life and continue with this writing. Following the story are author/illustrator notes as well as excerpts and complete poems from Whitman’s collection.

Review: Barbara Kerley has written a story that serves as a history lesson disguised as a warm, enjoyable tale. Kerley manages to depict Whitman in such a concise manner despite the fact that Whitman himself was anything but. From childhood, and his initial discovery of language, to his valiant efforts during the civil war, Walt is presented as the whole person that he was – not just the writer, and this portrayal is crucial if Whitman is to be truly understood. Vivid illustrations alert readers to the depth of Whitman’s passion and clearly depict the dichotomy that was Whitman’s existence – a seemingly helpless witness of tragedy and war versus an extremely passionate artist of words, determined to change the world. The sharply realistic drawings capture the spirit of Whitman and instantly transport the beholder to early America. Walt Whitman: Words for America is a well delivered story and should be utilized at home and in the classroom.

Review Excerpts:

“Barbara Kerley quickly sums up the details of Whitman’s young life, demonstrating his love affair with language and poetry, his fascination with the common people, and his passionate appreciation for the potential of America” (CCBC, 2005).

“A cultural force rendered with power and immediacy for a new generation” (Kirkus, 2004).

Awards:

Beacon of Freedom Award, 2007 Nominee United States
California Book Awards, 2005 Silver Medal Juvenile United States
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 2004 Winner United States
Parents' Choice Award, 2004 Silver Non-Fiction United States
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2005 Honor United States