Sunjata

Warrior King of Mali [A West African Legend]

From the Series Graphic Myths and Legends

  • Interest Level: Grade 4 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 4

A young hero who overcame the unthinkable rises to unite his people. Weak and silent, young Sunjata is unable to walk, unable even to pull a bow. But a prophesy foretold that his mother would bear a son who will become the mansa of all the Mande people—the greatest king ever to rule. Sunjata sets out to find the strength and courage to fulfill his birthright and to overcome the plotting of a rival queen and the sorcery of the terrible tyrant Sumanguru. Are the armies and magic that stand against him undefeatable? Can Sunjata become the leader his people need?

Format Your Price Add
978-1-58013-891-8
$9.99
978-0-7613-3996-0
$31.99
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Interest Level Grade 4 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 4
Genre Graphic Novels, Social Studies
Copyright 2008
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Graphic Universe ™
Language English
Number of Pages 48
Publication Date 2008-01-01
Reading Counts! Level 3.3
Reading Counts! Points 6.0
Text Type Folktale/Legend
BISACS JNF062000, JNF052030
Dewey 741.5'973
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 6.375 x 9.25
Lexile 680
Guided Reading Level U
ATOS Reading Level 3.7
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 121003
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Index, Maps, Original artwork, Pronunciation guide, Reviewed, Table of contents, and Teaching Guides

Author: Justine Fontes

Justine Fontes was born in New York City. She grew up on Long Island and later graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in English Liternature from New York University. Justine found her first job in publishing while she was a Freshman. She worked at various publishing houses before becoming a freelance writer. At Little Golden Books, Justine met her future husband, Ron Fontes. They started writing together and have written over 500 children’s books. Justine and Ron moved to Maine in 1988.

Author: Ron Fontes

Ron Fontes was born in Los Angeles. He grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee, where his mother taught him to read at age 4. By 16, Ron had a science fiction comic strip in the local newspaper. He was a theater major at Austin Peay State University, where he costumed and performed in many shows while working at a printing company to pay for school. Ron went on to act in film before becoming an advertising executive, and he then moved to New York City and worked for Whitman Comics and Marvel. Ron is a prolific artist and co-author of over 500 children’s books with his wife, Justine.

Illustrator: Sandy Carruthers

Sandy Carruthers was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His family moved to Prince Edward Island when he was five. Sandy grew up there and attended Holland College, where he trained as a graphic artist. After a few years in the field, Sandy attended Sheridan College in Ontario studying Illustration. After that, he moved back to PEI in 1989 and illustrated comics for Malibu Graphics in California. In 1992, he began teaching Graphic Design full time at the very college he trained at. He continues to do comic projects on the side. Between his full time work and comic art, Sandy is kept pretty busy! He currently lives in Mount Albion with his partner Holly and three cats. Their home is an 80 year old story-and-a-half country home, with a separate studio on a half acre of land.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Graphic Myths and Legends

Supreme artwork and storytelling are the hallmarks of Lerner Publishing Group’s Graphic Universe imprint. With art and text created by experienced graphic novel authors and artists―who also work for publishers such as DC and Marvel―using traditional drawings, coloring, and… View available downloads →

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“A fun, inviting way to introduce students to the beliefs and histories of other cultures.” —Book Links