Sibert Award Winning Book Review on THE RIGHT WORD Written by Bryant, Jen. Ill. Melissa Sweet.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryant, Jen. 2014. THE RIGHT WORD. Ill. Melissa Sweet. Grand Rapids, MI. Eedermans Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-8028-5385-1

PLOT SUMMARY

“The Right Word” , awarded with the Caldecott Honor and Sibert Medal, tells the life story of Peter Mark Roget, the man who created the thesaurus, and is told through intricate illustrations and lists of words. As a young child he kept to himself as well as kept lists of words he knew had multiple ways of saying them. They were organized by categories and not by alphabetical order. Growing up he studied to become a doctor and tutored students while traveling the world before putting his work to practice. He became a doctor and published his lists of words that would sell out amongst the people. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Bryant’s accurate information tells the life story of Roget alongside Sweet’s creative use of watercolor, collage, and mixed media, which complement and bring his story to life. The double-page designs contain text to tell the story with images filled with detail that is interesting to the reader and encourages curiosity to dive deep into the details of each page. The linear layout tells the story from childhood to adulthood and married life of Roget with patterns throughout, for example, the subject matter of each page is shown in a word list alongside illustrations with details of facts. A list of principal events of Roget’s life lists a chronological order for his life, side-by-side with world events at that period of time. The author and illustrator’s notes at the end of the book give immense background to their reason for style in putting this book together. The information in this book is cited with a selected bibliography, sources, and includes titles for further reading. A page from Roget’s original word book is featured at the end, giving the reader a first hand look at the inspiration for this book. 

REVIEWS EXCERPT(S)/AWARDS

ALA Notable Children’s Books, 2015

Booklist starred, 08/01/14

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 11/01/14

Caldecott Honor, 2015

Horn Book Guide Starred, 04/01/15

Kirkus Reviews starred, 08/01/14

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2015

Booklist starred (August 2014 (Vol. 110, No.22)): “In brilliant pages teeming with enthusiasm for language and learning, Bryant and Sweet (A Splash of Red, 2013) joyfully celebrate curiosity, the love of knowledge, and the power of words.”

Horn Book starred (Spring 2015): “Bryant’s linear telling follows Peter closely, expressing his curiosity, sensitivity, and populist spirit in language that is both decorous and warm.”

Kirkus Reviews starred (August 1, 2014): “Bryant’s prose is bright and well-tuned for young readers ... .Sweet tops herself–again!--visually reflecting Roget’s wise range as a thinker and product of the Enlightenment.”

CONNECTIONS

“The Right Word”’s informational biography makes for a fun and interesting way to learn about Peter Mark Roget and the creation of the thesaurus. 

The upper elementary audience would benefit from an introduction to the purpose of a thesaurus and examples of them as well can be modeled and displayed prior to reading the book.

The books  mentioned in the further reading section encourages readers to look into similar topics which promotes critical thinking and further reading. 

Carpenter, Mary Wilson. HEALTH, MEDICINE, AND SOCIETY IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND. ISBN 978-0-275-98952-1

Ferris, Jeri. NOAH WEBSTER & HIS WORDS. ISBN 978-0-544-58242-2