Bibliographic Data
Kerley,
Barbara. 2014. A HOME FOR MR. EMERSON. New York:
Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9780545350884
Plot Summary
As a
boy, Ralph dreamed of making a comfortable home for himself. When he grew up to become Ralph Waldo
Emerson, he did just that! Nothing could
tempt Mr. Emerson to leave his wonderful life in Concord, Massachusetts, until
a fire devastates his beloved home. A distraught Mr. Emerson is persuaded to seek out a series of adventures that will help him
heal, as his loyal and devoted Concord neighbors work to do the same back home.
Critical Analysis
Barbara Kerley delivers a simple and heartwarming narrative of the complex and
brilliant Ralph Waldo Emerson. The story
revolves around Emerson’s love for the town of Concord, beginning with his
childhood dreams of making a pleasant life through adulthood when he chooses
Concord as the perfect place to transform those dreams into reality. Amusing, little-known details - such as his
volunteer duty rounding up wayward hogs around town or his habit of eating
apple pie for breakfast every morning – portray Emerson as a friendly, personable
character that every reader will wish to have for a neighbor.
Emerson
is described as a welcoming host, who loves to entertain and longs to befriend
anyone and everyone he encounters. An
author’s note in the back matter further describes Emerson’s special attachments
and generosity. We read of him ice
skating with Nathanial Hawthorne, loaning books to his neighbor Louisa May
Alcott, and allowing his good friend, Henry David Thoreau, to build a cabin on
his land next to Walden Pond and reside there for two years. A true neighbor and friend, Mr. Emerson was
well loved and respected in his hometown as much as he was by people all around
the world.
Quotes
from Emerson’s own writings are woven into the text, authentically describing
his love for home, nature, words, and ideas.
The text is complemented by literal illustrations of metaphoric ideas, as
Emerson “dives” into a stack of books and walks out the other side into an
imagined forest or flies over the ocean, urged on by his neighbors, “to run
across the sea, and rest and repair.” These colorful, fanciful, and child-friendly images
will appeal to even the very young readers, but also reveal a glimpse of the
hurt and pain he feels when his home is destroyed.
Though
biographical in nature, this story is not intended as a factual account of the
writer, philosopher, and poet we know as Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is instead a lovely portrait of a
contented life, good neighbors, and the joys of homecoming.
Review Excerpts
“Emerson,
who is likely little known to younger students, is brought to life in an
approachable biography…An eye-catching, kid-friendly biography that is a
wonderful addition to any collection.” –
School Library Journal
"This
work about Ralph Waldo Emerson—someone who is probably not known to many
children—is a tale of deep love for his home and community in Concord,
Massachusetts." –Booklist
"[A]
tightly crafted narrative arc that stresses the hope, community and optimism
required to create the life of one’s dreams....Emerson’s joie de vivre explodes
from the pages.... Jubilant."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Connections
- Include in a study of influential Americans
- Read excerpts from the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson
- As an extension, research Mr. Emerson’s well known friends: Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Learn more and see photos of Emerson’s home at https://www.ralphwaldoemersonhouse.org/
Awards and Honors
- A Junior Library Guild Selection
- 2014 Parents’ Choice Gold Award
- NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book
- 2014 Oregon Spirit Book Award for Nonfiction
- Best New England Books 2014, The Boston Globe
- Gold Award Winner, National Parenting Publications Awards
- “Trailblazers” Seasonal Showcase, The Children’s Book Council
- 2015 International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choices Reading List
- 2015 “Must-Reads” Picture Books, Massachusetts Center for the Book
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