Blog Partner Discussion 6: Biography
http://jamaicablogpartners.blogspot.com/
Your personal response to the book
What genre you think it might be and why
( Read Check out descriptions of genres at:
http://www.edu.uleth.ca/currlab/handouts/genres.html
Evaluate its literary quality
Evaluate its illustrations
Evaluate in terms of multicultural considerations including the credibility of the author and illustrator
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The book Lanston's Train Ride is a biography. It was written by Robert Burleigh and illusrtated by Leonard Jenkins. The publisher is scholastic Inc.(2004).
ReplyDeleteBased on the review by Barnes and Noble.com, it can be said that this biography is considered as a good literary work by this author as they state they following, "The author's rendition of this event presents an opportunity for young people to seriously consider pursuing their own dreams. The illustrator's bold, colorful illustrations add buoyancy to the text. 2004, Orchard Books/Scholastic Inc, Ages 7 to 11."
I love the author's use of imagery. This creates a vivid description, opening the eyes of the reader to a time and place long gone. Though the time and the places have changed the reader can still visualized these images.
This is a multicultural work of art. It gives voice to a once 'dumb' group of people. Their sorrow, pain and thiumph are echoed through these pages. Langston's story teaches us never to give up but work hard and one will receive ultimate vicory.
In the review which was done by Barnes and Noble; they described the illustrations as being 'bold, colorful illustrations add buoyancy to the text' Do you agree with this evaluation? I believe that the pictures are not very clear. It might pose a problem to young readers as they might not have the ability to comprehend its literary meaning. It can be used effectively though, as it maybe infused in an art lesson whereby it can can be used to teach the meaning of the different colours, the use of lines and spaces in art. The teachers can also use this book as an introduction to the the Grade 5 Social Studies Jamaican Curriculum) lesson of slavery.
I definitely agree with Barnes and Noble that the illustrations are bold and buoyant. They also showcase the life of Langston before he rose to prominence.You may believe the pictures are unclear, but this may have been a deliberate act of the illustrator to create the picture of the dull life Langston experienced. As a black man living in the United States during the 1920's his life must have been miserable. Hence to help the reader share Langston's pain and suffering the illustrator may have created such dull images as there was nothing to be happy about.Since you believe young readers might be turned off from them, it might be a good idea to have them read about that time period in America and then asks them to tell you why they think the illustrator used such pictures. There is indeed good use of auditory imagery, such as 'clackety clack,clack'. From this onomatopeia the reader can hear the sound of the train as it slowly takes Langston to his father who had abandoned him as a child. The story is certainly a biography as the writer informs the readers of the life of a man who overcame poverty to become a famous poet.
ReplyDeleteBoth the writer and illustrator are credible people to speak on the idea of pain and suffering of the black man. They too were born during the time frame of Langston. Hence they would have similiar experiences to accurately paint through drawings and precise diction Langston's world prior to his acquisition of fame. This text is a must read for black students who often believe that because of their circumstances in life they cannot dream big. The book is big on motivation and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteIcilda, I agree that it is a must read. Everyone has obstacles which they must overcome in order to achieve success, this can be viewed as 'slavery.' Based on this definition I strongly believe that this book crosses all culture as it appeals to a variety of audiences.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the website http://www.scbwi-illinois.org/Burleigh.html the author has wide experience writing children's books. It states "Born and raised in Chicago, Burleigh graduated from DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana) and later received an MA in humanities from the University of Chicago. He has published picture books — a number of which have won prizes and awards — for children since the early 1990s. His books' subjects run a broad gamut, from stories geared for pre-schoolers to survival stories, sports stories, and biographies for younger readers."
Interestingly, Burleigh is not from similiar ethic background, he speaks through the eyes of Langston, it is as if he is living Langston life, experiencing his pain sorrow, sucesses and failure.