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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

A RIVER OF WORDS-Studying an Award-Winning Biography By: Sherri Jones Rivers

     I really enjoyed reading Jen Bryant's A RIVER OF WORDS, and decided I would do some sleuthing and find out what tools she might have used to make it such an outstanding read. It was named an ALA Notable book, a New York Times' Best Illustrated Children's Book, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, and an NCTE Notable Children's Book.


                                                    





     In studying the book, I looked for tools that the author used to bring the story to life. Here are some of the things I found. (These tools came from several different articles.)

     1. Build suspense early on with a page turn.

       "Like the other boys in Rutherford, New Jersey, Willie Williams loved to play baseball and to race his friends up and down the street. But, when the other boys went inside...

     * This makes the reader want to continue to find out what Willie did instead.

     2.  Use time elements to move the story along.

          "In those days..."
          "As Willie grew older..."
          "In high school..."
          "One night...."
          "At age nineteen.."
          "When he graduated..."
          "After his long doctor's day..."

    * These time markers take us from scene to scene.

     3. Use a question to draw the reader in.

          "Willie liked the idea of healing people and providing for a family. But could he do both?"

     * The reader is invited to read on and find the answer.

     4.  Provide half dialogue where one person's words   are interspersed with narration.

          "My Willie has sharp eyes. He notices everything."
          "Dr. Williams is the busiest man in town."
          "Willie is always in a hurry."


                                          


                                       

     *  Dialogue heightens reader interest and provides clues to personality and character.


     5.  Use a repeated refrain.

           "And it was true" was used after each of the above-mentioned bits of half dialogue.

     * Children like repetition and like to predict where the phrase will come next.

     6.  Use onomatopoeia when appropriate.

           "Gurgle, gurgle--swish, swoosh. Gurgle, gurgle."

     * So fun to say!


     7.  Use alliteration.

          "...slipping and sliding over smooth rocks.."
          "...rhythm of the river he had rested beside.."
          "...delivered babies, healed hurts and bruises, set broken bones..."

                                        




     * Using alliteration brings a lyrical quality to the story.

     8.  Use internal monologue. 

          "Willie did not feel hurried."
          "The river's music both excited and soothed Willie."
          "Poetry suited Willie."

                                        
                                         




     * This device presents a character's inner thoughts and emotions in third person.

     These are the tools that stood out to me in this story, which is a beautiful blend of text and illustration. I also like that early on we see him loving the outdoors and resting beside the Passaic River, where the river's sounds perhaps first introduce him to the rhythm of poetry--hence the title, A RIVER OF WORDS.



          





26 comments:

  1. Excellent deconstruction of a very fine book, Sherri.
    Appreciations!

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    1. Jan, thank you. It helped me to look for the nonfiction tools.

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  2. You really gave me some new ways to look at my NF mss and make some appropriate changes. TY, Sherri.

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    1. So glad this article helped you have new eyes for your own work.

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  3. Just what I needed, Sherri. Thanks for these tips!

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  4. Tina, so glad it "hit the spot" for you.

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  5. Your dissection and examination were right on. This is so helpful to my current revision I progress, Sherri. Thanks. Gotta find this book.

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    1. Damon, thank you. I was so unsure of myself on this post. Your words confirm that it can be helpful.

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  6. Thanks for showing how it's done...happy to share with my fellow writers.

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    1. Pat, good to hear from you.....and my goodness, such an affirming post from an outstanding author.

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  7. Excellent post! Love this and the book!

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    1. Hi, writer friend and WOW attendee. Thanks for your kind words. Coming from you----priceless.

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  8. I love the timing of this! This week I'm teaching my 2nd graders how to analyze mentor texts and mimic their craft moves, and these are great examples.

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  9. Susan, I am absolutely thrilled the timing was good for you. Your second graders are a lucky bunch.

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  10. Love your deconstruction, Sherri. Thank you for sharing :)

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  11. Okay, you've convinced me. Now I have to go read this book! Sherri, you did a fantastic job breaking down the story into a lesson on what makes a book sing. Thanks!

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    1. Kristi, you are giving me a swell head. But, really, what encouraging comments. Thanks.

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  12. Excellent summary of how we can retell the story of our MC in non-fiction. Well done, Sherri. . .and I will check this one out, too!

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  13. Wonderful. Thanks for this break down.

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  14. Fantastic analysis! Putting this on my hold list at the library. Thanks!

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  15. You will enjoy it, Jilanne. Art is fabulous.

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  16. Excellent analysis, Sherri! It's so important to go back and examine our own texts for these type of elements. (Not that I always do that...)

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  17. Hi, Patricia. Thanks for your kind comments. Yes, we all need to think about what tools we are using to spice up our manuscript.

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