The Extraordinary Mark Twain by Barbara Kerley

At 13, she was her dad’s secret biographer. In The Extraordinary Mark Twain According to Suzy by Barbara Kerley, readers are treated to primary source passages from daughter, Suzy Twain’s own journal. Seven Impossible Things Before BreakfastĮnter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.“This is a frank biographer and an honest one she uses no sandpaper on me.” – Mark Twain on his daughter’s biography.One Book, Two Books, Old Books, New Books.Quotes are used well, adding clarity to the relationship of the two protagonists. The text is informal – it reads like someone telling an engaging story, not like a text book. But where Suzanne Jurmain’s The Worst of Friends plays more on their feud and friendship, Those Rebels more narrowly hones in on their relationship in crafting the Declaration. This is the second book in less than a month to focus on the important relationship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. In the publishing world, when it rains it pours. Playing to their strengths, Tom drafted what would become one of most important documents in history – the Declaration of Independence, while John gave the delegates a verbal work-over, building an important consensus. When a Continental Congress is called in the fall of 1774, both men take part. But the things they had in common, a love of the American colonies and disdain for King George’s greedy policies towards them – would change the course of history. John was short, sturdy, and persuasive Tom was tall, worldly, and quiet. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were polar opposites.

Focusing on two of the key players in Americaâ€™s fight for freedom, this is a book that classrooms (and young historians) should take a shine to. Leave it to Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham, the duo that brought us What to Do About Alice and The Extraordinary Mark Twain to frame this period of American history in a way that works for kids. While the drama surrounding the creation of The Declaration of Independence is something that should have kids on the edge of their seats, it often comes across as another dull group of facts to remember. The message is important, sure, but the messenger is key.

The Extraordinary Mark Twain by Barbara Kerley