WALT WHITMAN: WORDS FOR AMERICA by Barbara Kerley

1. Bibliography

Kerley, Barbara. 2004. Walt Whitman: Words for America. Ill by Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439357918

2. Plot Summary

Readers are introduced to the life and works of the celebrated poet Walt Whitman in Kerley's touching biography of one of America's finest poets. She follows Whitman from his early youth as a newspaper typesetter at age 12, through his developing and insatiable love for words and life, to his life altering experiences during the Civil War. Kerley spends the bulk of her biography focusing on Whitman's life and experiences during the tumultuous Civil War years and how they shaped the man, his poetry, and the nation he loved.

3. Critical Analysis

Barbara Kerley’s easy to read narrative, Brian Selznick’s captivating and well researched illustrations, and Whitman’s own words combine to make this book a moving literary experience. One example of this seamless combination can be found in Kerley’s depiction of Whitman’s time caring for injured Civil War soldiers in Washington D.C. Kerley carefully weaves historical background, Whitman’s daily experience and personal notes, and Whitman's poetry to show readers the great compassion and love he had for these broken men. Accompanying this moving text is a spread of sepia toned portraits by Selznick arranged in orderly rows. Each portrait is based on an actual photograph of an injured soldier from the Civil War. Further tying the text to the artwork, Selznick provides each solder with a chalk board slate containing a single word from one of Whitman’s poems, “O my soldiers, my veterans, my heart gives you love.” The combination of these elements of text and art leave readers as moved to compassion as Whitman himself was at the poor broken bodies of these men.

Kerley's biography on Walt Whitman is carefully researched, and includes original sources such as Whitman's personal letters and journal entries. In addition to short excerpts of poetry, she also includes a note on the poems used in her book and longer excerpts or complete versions of the poems themselves. She includes an author's note on Whitman, Lincoln and Whitman's life after the Civil War. There is an illustrator's note from Brian Selznick regarding the research and background of the illustrations found throughout the book. A list of sources is presented at the end of the book for those who wish to check out some of the same works Kerley consulted to create her beautiful biography.

This is a wonderful biography for any poetry lover or Civil War buff.

4. Awards and Review Excerpt(s)

*Sibert Honor Book

*California Book Award

*ALA Notable Book

*Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books

*New York Times Best Illustrated Books

*New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

*Starred review from School Library Journal: “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. The brilliantly inventive paintings add vibrant testimonial to the nuanced text.”

*Booklist: “Although Whitman is most known for poetry 'as free-ranging as his big, robust country,' much of this treatment focuses on the writer's Civil War experiences providing company and small comforts to wounded soldiers.”

5. Connections

*Whitman had a deep love for Civil War veterans and gave much of himself and his resources to bring those who were wounded in this conflict some comfort. Reach out as Whitman did and show your appreciation for the sacrifices of our veterans for our country. Contact your local VA hospital and see if there is any service you could give to help injured veterans near you. Some examples of service could include visiting with patients at the hospital or organizing a community drive for needed items.  Write about your experience and how it may have changed you.  Compare your experience to Whitman and how he was changed by his service to young veterans. 

*Whitman had a great love for Abraham Lincoln. Research the life of this great President. Create a timeline of important events during his presidency.  You can also research important events in Whitman's life and compare how they align with Lincoln's timeline. 

*More poetry by Walt Whitman:

Whitman, Walt. Laws for Creations. ISBN 9780312426071

Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass: The “Death-Bed” Edition. ISBN 9780679783428

Whitman, Walt. Ill by Loren Long. When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer. ISBN 9781415569511