The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus
by Jen Bryant (Author) and Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

Booktalk: For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions — and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

Snippet:
Peter’s family moved often, so making friends was difficult.

But books, Peter discovered, were also good friends. There were always plenty around, and he never had to leave them behind.

When he was eight, he started to write his own book. On the cover, he wrote Peter, Mark, Roget. His Book.

But instead of writing stories, he wrote lists.

See the book trailer.

Six Traits Mini Lesson

Trait: Ideas Writing a picture book biography can be tricky. How can you talk about an entire life with so few pages? You have to leave room for the art, too.

After you do your research and are ready to write, begin with the most important idea. Why was the person famous? Focusing on this idea as you write your draft will help you decide what to include in the story–and what to leave out.

Roget was famous because of his book.

When he was eight, he started to write his own book. On the cover, he wrote Peter, Mark, Roget. His Book.

And what kind of book was it?

But instead of writing stories, he wrote lists.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

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