Nonfiction Form (Biography and Information Books)

Your Name: Daisy Martinez Title: Nelson Mandela

Author: Kadir Nelson Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Publisher/Date: Scholastic Inc./Jan. 2, 2013 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 of the book is a large picture of Nelson Mandela’s face

2. The picture of Nelson Mandela is very detailed and captivating
3. The first pages of the book are shadows of people on top of a mountain and a picture of a woman and young
boy together
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. The book contains new vocabulary words such as Apartheid, harmony, ancestors etc.
2. Shares facts about Nelson Mandela with children-“Nelson was sent miles away to live with a powerful chief.”
3. Other interesting facts-“Nelson Mandela was captured on a drive to town/The people cried.”
ACCURACY – up-to-date research, any sources or references provided, no mixing of fact and fiction.
Explain:
At the end of the book, it shares other Biography books about Nelson Mandela that includes the title, author,
and publishing date. It also included a short summary of Nelson Mandela.

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. The illustration in the book is mostly dark and may be unclear of what is going on to young readers.
2. Information about unusual subjects for young readers- “With a vision for peace and harmony, Nelson felt
renewed and ready to fight for freedom.”
3. Talks about different places like South Africa, Egypt, and Europe
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:
Realistic- The illustrations in the book show good detail
illustration and text combine to share the information:
What does the text explain and how illustrated?
The illustration and text both show the events that occurred in Nelson Mandela’s life.
What do illustrations show that text does not explain?
Illustration and text both match
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:
-There is no use of borders in the book and use of both dark and white space
-Text placement is on the top corners or bottom corners with small font
- Illustration is in center of book
Child Development Theories –Select 1 theory: Erikson

Identify the stage: Initiative VS Guilt and age level: Preschool from the theory.
Select one trait from the developmental stage/level.
- To plan, work, be active and be on the move
Explain and give 3 specific examples from the book that fit the development al stage/level.
1. “With a vision for peace and harmony, Nelson felt renewed and ready to fight for freedom.”
2. Nelson Mandela visited other places to converse and cleanse his homeland of hate and discrimination
3. Nelson Mandela organized rallies and protests.
1. OVERALL RATING (3 high, 1 low) 1 2 3
Explain the rating: Overall I rate this book a 2. It contains a lot of great information and facts that help you
learn about Nelson Mandela. I would prefer that the illustrations were a lot brighter through the book. I feel
like the darkness in the illustration doesn’t really appeal to children.