An Analysis of Russell Freedman’s Lincoln: A Photography

Author: Cho-Cheng Liao(Department of Language and Creative Writing, National Taipei University of Education)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 58, No. 2
Date：September 2013
Pages：171-192
DOI：10.6210/JNTNULL.2013.58(2).07

Abstract：

Numerous biographies are published for children in Taiwan, many of which demonstrate narrative problems. Although the author previously wrote articles to reveal these flaws, highlights an excellent work as a model should benefit biographical writers. Therefore, Freedman’s Lincoln: A Photography was analyzed; the book was awarded the 1988 Newbery Medal, making it the first biography to receive such an honor.
Contemporary writers increasingly use pictures in their biographies for children, but few writers can achieve a narrative style that approaches Freedman’s level of excellent. Lincoln: A Photography was compared with other biographies of Lincoln that were written for children. Freedman completed extensive research before writing and chose suitable events for use in his books, he attracts the reader from the beginning of his story and his narratives regarding critical incidents excite reader interest. He clearly describes complex situations, and highlights the key points of extensive debates, maintaining a narrative distance from the story, remaining uncritical of relevant people, and inconspicuously guiding young readers. This style allows readers to familiarize themselves with the biographee in way that both respect the readers and deeply affects them throughout the narrative.
Writers have much to learn from Freedman’s Lincoln: A Photography.

Keywords：Lincoln: A Photography, biography for children, Russell Freedman

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