Overview
From Follett
Translation of: Elefantmannen.;Includes bibliographical references. "Based on the famous true story of Joseph Merrick"--Dust jacket.
From the Publisher
An unforgettable story of immense courage and an unbreakable spirit.
Product Details
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Publisher: Annick Press
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Publication Date:
August 7, 2015
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Format:
Hardcover
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Dewey:
-Fic-
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Classifications:
Fiction
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Description:
1 volume (unpaged) : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm
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Tracings:
Hodnefjeld, Hilde, 1966- illustrator.
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ISBN-10:
1-55451-778-8
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ISBN-13:
978-1-55451-778-7
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Follett Number:
0969GU3
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Interest Level:
3-6
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Reading Level:
6.1
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ATOS Book Level:
5.1
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AR Interest Level:
MG
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AR Points:
1
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AR Quiz: 179412EN
Reviews & Awards
- Horn Book Guide, 10/01/16
- Kirkus Reviews, 06/01/15
- Publishers Weekly, 09/07/15
- Resource Links, 04/01/16
- School Library Connection, 04/01/16
- School Library Journal, 07/01/15
Full-Text Reviews
Booklist (February 15, 2016 (Online))
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Read all 5 full-text reviews …
Horn Book Guide (Fall 2016)
This chronicle of the life and struggles of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, is a humanizing narrative portrait covering his family history, societal exploitation, love for poetry, and search for understanding. Illustrations--a quirky assemblage of historical photographs and scratchy, dim-hued drawings--create a gritty, vintage vibe befitting Di Fiore's historical tale of discrimination and inner beauty.
Kirkus Reviews (June 1, 2015)
Di Fiore colors history with imagined scenes to humanize a man the world knew as the Elephant Man. Joseph Merrick, introduced mid-freak show in present tense, would rather have made people laugh than scream. Instead, severe disfigurement forced him to perform in freak shows as the Elephant Man, named for the heavy lumps growing on his skin. In past tense, the author simply recounts Merrick's journey through illness and exploitation to self-acceptance, courtesy of the compassionate Dr. Frederick Treves. The author personalizes Merrick's story by imagining his reactions to being ostracized, ogled by onlookers and medical students, and smiled at by a beautiful woman; his plausible sadness, joy, and loneliness promote empathy rather than pity. Hodnefjeld's drawings respect but soften Merrick's figure, in contrast to unflinching archival photographs of his body. The eye-catching blend of photographs and line drawings, including photographed heads on drawn bodies, offers glimpses of both Merrick's time and his life. An afterword explains how Merrick died as well as the probable cause of his deformity: Proteus syndrome. A photo reconstruction suggests what Merrick might have looked like without his disease, recalling a wish he expressed in poetry: "Could I create myself anew / I would not fail in pleasing you." This compassionate summary of Joseph Merrick's life shows young readers that people can be "measured by the soul" rather than appearances. (bibliography) (Historical fiction. 8-10)
Publishers Weekly (September 7, 2015)
The grim, short life of Joseph Merrick, who became known as the Elephant Man, unfolds in solemn prose. Merrick, whose severe deformities developed as a child, was ostracized by the public. Unable to find work, he became a traveling stage attraction before a kind doctor took him in at the London Hospital, studying his condition and providing him the opportunity to make friends. Hodnefjeld's mixed-media collages feature dismal urban landscapes with ghoulish figures gawking at Merrick, with archival photographic elements incorporated throughout. While Di Fiore relies on invented dialogue, she nonetheless assembles a moving, empathic account. Ages 8-11. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (July 1, 2015)
Gr 3-6-This picture book biography tells the story of Joseph Merrick, who shortly after his birth began developing growths on his body, a putrid odor, and other characteristics that led to his famed nickname, the Elephant Man. Born in England in 1862, Merrick led a hard life, cast aside by those who could not get past his deformity. His stepmother forced him to leave school, refused to feed him, and eventually kicked him out of his own home. In order to survive, Merrick joined a theater company, where he was put on display and ridiculed. His only solace came from Dr. Frederick Treves, a friend and confidante who allowed Merrick to live comfortably at the London Hospital after he returned from his tour penniless. Merrick lived out the remainder of his short life in this capacity. This unusual title emphasizes themes of overcoming hardships and adversity and of acceptance and inner beauty. Di Fiore has expertly adapted this tale with sensitivity and simplicity. Esteemed Norwegian illustrator Hodnefjeld's mixed-media illustrations-pen and ink and photo collage-make this adaptation stand out and breathe life into Merrick's fascinating story. VERDICT A solid addition to biography collections.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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