Informational Text

WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Kerley, Barbara. 2008. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE. Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic: New York. ISBN: 9780545123259.

PLOT SUMMARY:
This biography tells the story of Alice Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt's oldest daughter. Alice's escapades would not be given a second glance in today's society, but in her own time she was considered rambunctious and unruly. This book highlights her most flamboyant acts and tells of her adventurous life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Barbara Kerley uses the extraordinary life of an extraordinary woman to make this book relatable to not only children, but anyone who loves to have fun. The reader will smile continuously as each page relates another interesting moment in Alice's life, including details on how her father was unable to handle her unruliness and some of his own thoughts on her behavior. Each page is covered with Edwin Fotheringham's bright vintage-inspired illustrations, which help to convey to the reader what a vibrant young woman Alice truly was. The anecdotes are humorous, and the quotes bring these people, who we only know in a political sense, to life. The book is personable and will keep the reader engaged, from the beginning of Alice's life to the Author's Note, which states that 84-year-old Alice would often host dinner parties and sat people with differing opinions next to each other in order to spark an argument. Alice's life can be summed up with her famous father's quote, "I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both."


EXCERPT REVIEW:
Sibert Honor Book
Boston Globe-Horn Honor Book
Parents Choice
Irma Black Honor Award Book
Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award
California Collections
Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
ALA Notable Book
Capital Choices
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Nominated for young reader awards in Texas, Utah, Tennessee, and Illinois
"Superb." -- Kirkus Review
"It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt." --Publishers Weekly

CONNECTIONS:
This book is a great way to get students interested in biographies. It may be used as an example of how a biography can be an interesting piece of literature as opposed to a dry, fact-only piece of text. Read and compare to other biographies (text-to-text connections). Obviously, this could also serve as an introduction to a unit on the Roosevelts.
Other books by Barbara Kerley include: The Extraordinary Mark Twain (according to Susy), Greetings from Planet Earth, A Little Peace, and Songs of Papa's Island.