Nonfiction Form (Biography and Information Books)

Your Name: Renata Couyette Title: Happy Birthday Martin Luther King
Author: Jean Marzollo Illustrator: J. Brain Pinkney
Publisher/Scholastic January 2000 Genre: Biography

EVALUATE THE BOOK USING THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS

Explain how the cover and first pages of the book attract and hold the reader’s interest. Give 3examples from
the book

1. The cover page is a photo of Martin Luther King and a child sitting on his lap with children around him.
2. The first two pages show Martin Luther King parents holding Martin Luther King as he was just born.
3. The third page is a photograph of Martin Luther King father playing football with his son.
STYLE AND LANGUAGE – Explain how the book shares information with children. Examples: “little-known
facts;” new vocab sprinkled in the text; and selection of information to create/maintain reader’s interest.
Give 3 examples from the book
1. Personal facts Martin Luther King wanted to change the law for Blacks they had no rights and freedom.
2. New vocab Reverend, minister, prayer, famous, laws, justice
3.interesting facts Martin Luther king had special talent when he spoke everyone listen the poor ,rich, black
and white he had those words that touched so many to want the same changes he wanted.
ACCURACY – up-to-date research, any sources or references provided, no mixing of fact and fiction.
Explain: No their was no other information.
The book provides websites

INFORMATION –Explain how the book captures a child’s interest: unusual subjects or viewpoints -
personalized content – new perspectives, first-person accounts, and fascinating comparisons.
Give 3 examples from the book.
1.perspectives of how the blacks and whites was not to be together and things was labeled white /colored
2. Interesting facts Martin Luther King knew the law needed to be changed.
3. Once the law was changed black and white kids was able to go to school together.
ILLUSTRATIONS-- Select a 2-Page Spread to evaluate the book with following:
Media (paints, pencils, pen, watercolors, charcoal, photographs, crayon, acrylics, chalk, oils ): Explain the media choices used:
The book has real life photographs, water colors, sketching
illustration and text combine to share the information:
What does the text explain and how illustrated? The text shares information about her and the pictures go along with it.
What do illustrations show that text does not explain?The Illustrations and test goes with the story.

Page design – Describe the following: use of borders; text placement and font size; use of information boxes, charts or
identification of vocab use of white and dark space; types of illustrations and placement on both pages:
The boarders are white,the text is on the top of each page and illustration cover the inner pages.
Child Development Theories –Select 1 theory:

Identify the stage: Industry vs Inferiority age 6-12

Select one trait from the developmental stage/level. Develops a purpose to the world.
Rapid development of concepts
Explain and give 3 specific examples from the book that fit the development al stage/level.
1. Concept of fighting and not give up.
2. Concept of leadership.
3. Concept of changes.
1. OVERALL RATING (3 high, 1 low) 1 2 3
Explain the rating: I gave it a 2 its a good kids book but the story made it seem so easy for Martin Luther King
to do all these things and it was not that easy they had to fight and march dealt with abuse murders to get
where we are today.