LSSL 5360 Module 4 Book Review #1- THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet

Module 4- Biographies- Book Review #1 THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryant, J., & Sweet, M. (2014). The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus. Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Peter Mark Roget is shy young boy who finds his best companionship in books. His mother worries about how quiet and shy he is, but he has a love for the written word, and he begins making lists of these words at a very young age. “If only all the ideas in the world could be found in one place,” Bryant writes, “then everyone would have one book where they could find the best word, the one that really fit. Peter carried this idea with him like a secret treasure” (16). As Peter grew older, his lists grew too, and one day he turned those lists into one of the most important books in the world- the thesaurus!

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book was super creative, unique, and the author really tells a cool story in a very interesting way. The illustrations are rich and fun, and have a unique style to them; they look as if they have been hodge-podged together like patchwork. I think for young students, this book may be pretty relatable for them as they read about Peter, a young, shy, introverted, yet very intelligent boy. It brings about an interesting point that perhaps kids have never considered- who writes the thesaurus, the dictionary, etc? As an adult, I’m not sure I, myself, have ever pondered this thought. It’s an intriguing story-line that could certainly ignite a passion for the written word in young readers’ minds.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Bryant again captures the essence of a complicated individual in spare and beautifully crafted text.” –starred Goodreads review

*Caldecott Honor (2015)
*Sibert Medal (2015)
*Keystone to Reading Book Award Nominee for Intermediate (2016)
*Lupine Award for Picture Book (2014)
*Kirkus Prize Nominee for Young Readers' Literature (Finalist) (2014)

5. CONNECTIONS

I think this is a perfect introduction to a unit where you teach the class about how to use a thesaurus.

If you love this book, you may also want to check out Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown.