"The Right Word" Book Review

1.      Bibliography

Bryant, Jen. 2014. THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS. Ill. by Melissa Sweet. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Books. ISBN 9780802853851

2.      Plot Summary

Peter Roget is the author of one of the most popular reference materials we use today.  After the death of his father, Peter travels with his family to London.  His family moved often, and the shy Peter, had few friends.  He discovers his love of books and learning at a young age, making lists of words and arranging them as he sees fit of everything he learns or encounters.  Peter begins with lists of the Latin and English words his tutor taught him and these lists help him remember what he learned and how to find “the right word” when needed.  “…words, Peter learned, were powerful things.”  As Peter grows up, he continues his lists over his studies of science and even medical school.  Peter travels, practices medicine, and performs lectures of his inventions with scientists, all while writing his list of words.  After several years, Peter decides to publish his book of words he compiled in his youth which becomes a best seller and still used today as the “Thesaurus”. 

3.      Critical Analysis

This picture book biography tells the fascinating story of Peter Roget, the author of the “Thesaurus” which we learn means “treasure home” in Greek.  Jen Bryant became interested in Roget when she accidently picked up a thesaurus by Roget and noticed the words were arranged by concepts and ideas, rather than alphabetically.  Jen provides many resources including an Author’s Note, a timeline of Roget’s life with world events, Bibliography, further reading, sources, and more.  Readers can hear the passion in the words of Bryant’s discovered information about Peter Roget’s life.  The sequence of events leading up to Roget’s publication of the thesaurus connects readers with who Roget was. 

Melissa Sweet uses collages of old botanicals, book covers, vintage papers, water color, type drawers, and mixed media to give readers a visual of how Peter Roget saw words everywhere he went.  Sweet even uses some of Roget’s original pieces in the illustrations that keep readers interested in every detail.  The overall design and style of the illustrations work with the text to give readers more information about how notes were taken in Peter Roget’s everyday life and how he would interpret the world around him by making lists of words.  Readers find themselves studying a page and not wanting to leave it until all has been discovered.  Although the title of this biography has the word “thesaurus” in it, children of all ages will be intrigued by the presentation of Pete Roget’s life and will be excited to research more. 

4.      Review Excerpt(s)

Sibert Award

Caldecott Honor – 2015

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers – “Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget’s life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations.  This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.”

5.      Connections

*Students will create their own word lists.  Students will make lists of words in a category, then create a thinking map of how the words are connected. 

*Students will practice using a thesaurus by Roget.