The Extraordinary Mark Twain

Written by Barbara Kerley

Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

No Awards 

This biography about Mark Twain was written from the perspective of his daughter, Susy. Susy sketches bits and pieces of her days with her father in journal entries that are placed in this book. I didn't know much about Mark Twain before this book, but I feel that it did a good job of covering all of the life of Mark Twain and from the perspective of someone really close to him. The book is interactive and has journal entries that open up within the pages of the book to see Susy's writing. 

I would recommend this book to middle schoolers ranging from fifth grade to eighth grade because though it was plainly written, I feel that the subject is meant for children older than fourth grade. I would use this book as a resource for an author talk with my students.