Module 6: Book Review 18-Free Choice Poetry

 I Am Someone Else: Poems About Pretending

Bibliography

Hopkins, L. B. & Hsu, C. (2019) I Am Someone Else: Poems About Pretending. Massachusetts: Charlesbridge. ISBN 9781580898324

Summary  

Let your fantasies take you away and turn you into something or someone else you have always wanted to become.  Take part in this charming anthology of poems compiled by Lee Bennet Hopkins and the colorful and vibrant illustrations by Chris Hsu.  Each poet in the book imagined who they might like to be and wrote an astounding poem to express those imaginations.  So, join in with the children of I Am Someone Else and become a wizard or mermaid or even a video-game inventor and read it today! 

Analysis

I Am Someone Else is a collection of poems written by fifteen different poets, compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins.  Hopkins includes an introduction to the book that is encouraging and positive which promotes self-acceptance.  Also, in the introduction, he states though that every once in a while, it is fun to think about becoming someone (or something) else.  This is where the idea for the book came from.  The book is divided into three sections, Wish! a storybook character, Support! a person who helps, and Invent! a person who makes.  Each poem within the section invokes imagery for the reader throughout.  I button up my lab coat/ scrub my hands with soap/ check the day’s appointments/ and grab my stethoscope, from the poem Bellies, Bones, and Paws by Michelle H. Barnes offers the reader a vivid description of the vet’s day. 

This poem and the others in the book truly give way to role-playing and pretend.  It is an ideal book for children ages 4 to 8 and invites kids to being kids.  It allows children to dream in becoming who or what they want to be in the moment or future and shows children to be imaginative. 

Another fantastic addition to the book are the illustrations.  Chris Hsu creates a classroom of different children that are represented in our culture and includes them in this story.  Not only does he represent different people and cultures in the pictures, but he also crushes stereotypical beliefs about the work that people should do.  He depicts boys as mermaids and girls as construction workers and shows that you can be whoever you want to be. 

I Am Someone Else is truly inspirational for young children.  From the playful and inspiring poetry to the ethnically diverse illustrations, this book is sure to be one added to your library collection. 

Excerpt

The One
Matt Forrest Esenwine

I want to be the one who fights flames,

taming smoke and heat with hook and hose.

I want to be the one who drives the truck,

sirens wailing wherever it goes.

I want to be the one who saves lives,

no matter who they are or where they're from.

I want to be the one who wears the suit,

so one day I can be just like my mom.

Use

With this poem, have students imagine something or someone they want to be.  Then, just like this poem and the others within the book, have students write a poem about that something or someone.  Encourage students to use imagery within their poems and have them illustrate what they see.  Students can draw, paint, or use other media to create their artwork to pair with their poem. 

Module 6: Book Review 17- Poetry by Kids

This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

Bibliography

Sidman, J. & Zagarenski, P. (2007) This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company ISBN 9780618616800

Summary

We know how difficult it can be to say we are sorry, but then again, we know how we feel after we do so.  That is what the students of Mrs. Merz’s sixth grade class does in this fantastic collection of apology and forgiveness poems and the responses from these poems.  From poetry written about the loss of a pet to sibling rivalry, each poem also uncovers the relationships between each other.  These poems are the sincerest and sweetest poems you will read and possibly lead you to writing an apology of your own.

Analysis

This is Just to Say is a wonderful collection of poems written for everyone composed by children.  In this collection by sixth grade students, there are a variety of poems from haikus, rhymes, and pantoums that express heartfelt words of pain, sorrow, glee, and acceptance to name a few.  Inspired by the poem “This is Just to Say,” by William Carlos Williams, these poems are great examples to show that poetry can be accessible to all students.  For example, the poem The Black Spot is written as an apology to an older sister for leaving a black spot in her hand from the stab of a pencil.  The little sister feels guilty for what she did and shared that guilt with words through this poem.  In response, the older sister writes her own poem included in the book, sharing her feelings and how she is still upset with her.  These two examples are very fitting to the book and goes to show that anyone can write a poem. 

This book is packed filled with personal response and is ideal for grades 4^th through 7^th.  It is a wonderful example to encourage kids to try their hand at writing not just poetry, but even an apologetic piece.  It is a visual motivation and relatable to everyone; even the illustrations are fun and edgy.  Illustrator, Pamela Zagarenski shares at the back of the book, that she made her sketches on the kinds of paper kids might have such as, notebook pages, newspaper, or graph paper.  The sketches resemble artwork that a typical middle schooler might possibly draw.

With little touches like those throughout the book, This is Just to Say is a superb addition to any library.  Readers of all ages can understand deep down how the writers felt when expressing their emotions in each poem and the relief they got when doing so.  You won’t want to miss out on this magical book!

Excerpt

Sparkling Deer

Mom, I’m so sorry for breaking
your precious glass deer
all those years ago.
The scent of Christmas was in the air,
and your little snow scene drew me like a magnet.
The deer’s slim pink legs
and arching neck:
I could almost feel their smooth, delicate surface.
In my head, I heard you say, “Don’t touch!”
but my fingers had a mind of their own.
I plucked it from the rough cotton snow
by its tiny antlers.
Then
it dropped!
Later, when I heard you crying,
I felt small.
Please forgive me.

Use

With poems of apology and their responses included in the book, the poem chosen is a great example to use to allow students to try their hand at writing an apologetic poem of their own.  The apology poems can be collected and used to create a class anthology.  Just like in the book, you can also get responses from the people students were writing to and include them in the class book. 

Module 6: Book Review 16-Janeczko Collection

 Dirty Laundry Pile: Poems in Different Voices

Bibliography

Janeczko, P. B. & Sweet, M. (2001) Dirty Laundry Pile: Poems in Different Voices. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0688162517

Summary

“I’m going to be heard, glubita, glub, swizzle-dee-wash. I’m going to make dirty clothes clean,” said the washing machine!  Experience a voice like that and twenty-six other recognizable voices like a vacuum cleaner and some lost gloves in this spectacular collection selected by Paul B. Janeczko.  Immerse yourself in the magic this book has to offer in the voices of your most common everyday objects.  Enjoy several different poetic elements throughout each poem with great illustrations to match! With plenty of humor and silliness throughout the book, this is ideal for everyone!

Analysis

The poems in Dirty Laundry Pile are a collection selected by Janeczko written by well-known poets.  In this anthology, each poet gives voice to some of your most common everyday objects making this book humorous and sweet.  It is a fantastic book that can be used to teach numerous poetic elements such as personification, visualization, and sound.  The poem, The Vacuum Cleaner’s Revenge include a couple of poetic elements that are fun and easy for children to spot.  Rhyming and the use of onomatopoeia are the two types of elements that are recognizable within the poem.  Children will love the sound words like munch, crunch, zoom, and roar the vacuum makes and the fun rhymes added throughout the poem.  

This is just one reason why children ages 6 to 9 years old will genuinely enjoy this book.  Children will also appreciate the kid-like illustrations that are brightly colorful, lively, and imaginable.  Melissa Sweet did a magnificent job at adding the right details into each illustration that make the book a delight for reading.   

Another bonus of the book is the opportunity to use it as a mentor text to teach children about point of view and voice.  With the short and easy poems, kids will be able to catch on quickly, identifying who is talking in each poem.  Students can even try and write a similar poem about another everyday thing and make it come alive.

Dirty Laundry Pile is a sensational book by Paul B. Janeczko that promotes a love of poetry.  Including a variety of poets into the book and bringing things to life to hear their perspective on a topic is fun and inventive.  It is definitely worth the time to check out. 

Excerpt

The Vacuum Cleaner’s Revenge
Patricia Hubbell
 
I munch. I crunch.
I zoom. I roar.
 
I clatter-clack
Across the floor.
 
I swallow twigs.
I slurp dead bugs.
 
I suck the cat hair
From the rugs.
 
My stomach full
Of dirt and dust
 
I gulp another
Pizza crust.
 
A tiresome life---
All work, no play---
 
I think I’ll swallow you today!

 

Use

This and several other poems within the book would be excellent selections for dramatizing.  Students can act out the movements and make gestures to match each line within the poem.  They can also role-play, taking on the persona of the vacuum and use props for named objects .  This is a fun poem that will get the students imaginations flowing.   

Module 5: Book Review 15-Sidman Poetry

                            Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors

Bibliography

Sidman, J. & Prange, B. (2010) Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors. New York: Houghton Mufflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN 9780618717194

Summary  

Embark in a journey through time of more than four billion years ago when Earth was newly formed and discover some of the most remarkable species that have stood the test of time.  Through poetry and factual science information, readers learn why some species like the shark and beetle are still with us today and found everywhere on planet Earth.  In the fourteen different poems about these species, enjoy the variety of poetic structures Sidman uses like diamante and concrete as well as the linocut illustrations that are hand-colored with watercolors by Prange.  This book is ideal for the poetry loving, science fanatic and perfect for any classroom and library.

Analysis

The book Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors is unlike any poetry piece you come across or think about when looking for poetry.  Upon first glance of the book, you notice a large gecko, almost in a 3-d effect, eating a fly.  The title, Ubiquitous, is bolded in red above the gecko and the words, Celebrating Nature’s Survivors are written below the stomach of the creature.  You pause and think, “how can a gecko be celebrated,” and open the front cover.  Immediately, there’s an eye-catching, swirling timeline, filled with colors, that introduces the Earth’s formation of over 4 billion years ago.  As you follow through the timeline, you notice species like bacteria, mollusks, and sharks, and begin to get curious on what this poetry book is about. 

In this book, there are fourteen different poems about Earth’s species that have existed for over millions of years and continue to live today.  The variety of poems Sidman has included in this book, like diamante, concrete, and free verse, make this book even more appealing to readers.  Providing a good mix of poems gives the reader options to try one on their own.  I especially enjoyed the concrete poem, Sharks, as the poem absolutely reflected the subject, with lines forming the outline of a shark and mirroring each part of the fish. From “snout bristling teeth” that forms the mouth of the creature to “power-pumping bursts/ long lazy strokes” for the shape of the tail, this poem had adventure and fun written all throughout it.  Even the title blended in, making it a fun allusion for the reader to discover. 

This book has a plethora of science information that would be ideal for an older audience.  Students ages 10 to 16 will discover a poem, passage of amazing facts, and exquisite illustrations on each page of the book and will genuinely enjoy learning about life and evolution with this text.  Also included with each poem is the scientific name, size, and life of each species that adds to the information included in the book.  As readers conclude the text, there is a glossary of science terms and an author and illustrator’s note, all of which help support the material that is presented in this book.

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors, is an adventurous and engaging book.  Readers learn fascinating facts about some of the Earth’s species that have lived over billions of years and have a good time doing it.  This is the perfect book to add to any science classroom and poetry collection. 

Excerpt

First Life
(a diamante)

                 Bacteria

              ancient, tiny

    teeming, mixing, melding

strands curled like ghostly hands

    winking, waving, waking

             first, miraculous

                    Life 

Use

With this poem students will create their own diamante choosing a subject of their choice.  The teacher will explain the components of this type of poem using First Life.  Allow students to illustrate a picture and present if they wish to. 

Module 5: Book Review 14- Hopkins Award Poetry

 A Maze Me: Poems for Girls

Bibliography

Nye, N. S. & Maher, T. (2005) A Maze Me: Poems for Girls. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060581891 

Summary

Experience a novel with an assortment of fabulously written poems about family, friends, school, boys, and everything else about life associated with young girls.  Naomi Shihab Nye uses free verse writing to explore the many aspects of life using feelings and moments that are easy to comprehend.  This story is full of loving, humorous, and thoughtful poetry that will be a hit with preteens and up and readers will have a blast reading and discussing them. 

Analysis

A Maze Me: Poems for Girls is a collection of poems written in verse form for girls ages eleven to seventeen.  In this piece written by Nye, readers experience a development of growth of a young lady, through poetry, separated into five different parts.  Each part is written using vivid images to evoke specific feelings that the young girl experienced and are relatable to other young girls too. 

Metaphors, sensory image, and repetition are some of the poetic forms used in the book.  The poem My Body is a Mystery, is a perfect example where all three poetic forms are used well together.  Oh my eyes are the windows/ and my face is the sky/ And my legs are the trees that hold me/ My hands are the branches and my head is a box/ and I spend my lifetime picking locks. Nye continues the poem sharing more parts of the young girl’s body as comparisons and repeats the first and second stanzas as the last stanza in the poem.  This poem is just one of the wonderfully written poems that are relatable to preteen girls and up and why this book is perfect for this group to read.

This book is an easy and quick read that captures the heart and essence of a middle or high school girl.  It also conjures up memories and images from adults that have had similar experiences from their past that adds a sense of enjoyment to the book.  All readers can make a connection from at least one of these poems which is why this book is wonderful and worth the read. 

Excerpt

Supple Cord

My brother, in his small white bed,

held one end.
I tugged the other
to signal I was still awake.
We could have spoken,
could have sung
to one another,
we were in the same room
for five years,
but the soft cord
with its little frayed ends
connected us
in the dark,
gave comfort
even if we had been bickering
all day.
When he fell asleep first
and his end of the cord
dropped to the floor,
I missed him terribly,
though I could hear his even breath
and we had such long and separate lives
ahead.

Use

This poem is a great introductory poem to teach about personal narrative writing.  Discuss that the writer of the poem took a moment in her life and shared the events that occurred between her and her brother.  Encourage students to write their own personal narrative about a moment in their life.  Allow them to write in poetic form or create a story.

Module 5: Book Review 13-Performance Poetry

 Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and other School Poems for Two Voices

Bibliography

Franco, B. & Hartland, J. (2009) Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and other School Poems for Two Voices. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763631741

Summary

In this delightful collection of feet tapping, leg slapping, rhyming fun, enjoy nineteen energetic poems by Betsy Franco that will have you reading them repeatedly.  Share in wild bus rides, school reports, recess, and other school day topics with Messing Around on the Monkey Bars.  Enjoy reading and performing the poems with a partner, a group, or by yourself and find the rhythm and beat in each one.  Appreciate the illustrations by Jessie Hartland that are amusing, child-like, and fit perfectly with each poem.  This book is hilarious and sweet and will definitely be apart of your school poetry collection.

Analysis

Messing Around on the Monkey Bars is a collection of nineteen poems with an excellent amount of different poetic elements used.  From the rhyming words found in several of the poems such as New Kid at School, I Can’t Wait, and Lunch Money, to the fun rhythm offered in Wild Bus Ride and Backboard Rap, this text is perfect for a younger age group.  Another, fun poetic element used is onomatopoeia.  Used in Whirr, Whirr, Zing, Zap, where the words resemble the sound it is describing, “whirr, whirr/a spinning fan/ zing, zap/a rubber band/ thud, bonk/ a math book falls/ boing, boing/a rubber ball,” teachers and students will enjoy reading aloud the poem and many others. 

With the numerous amounts of poetic elements used throughout the book, Messing Around on the Monkey Bars is ideal for ages six to ten, or grades 1^st through 4^th.  Students will also appreciate the story the book tells, about the daily activities in a typical school day in an energetic way.  This adds playfulness and magic to the poems and makes it very relatable.  This is another reason why students and teachers at that age group will want to get their hands on it.

Franco did a phenomenal job at writing each poem with simple words that make it easy enough for children to read.  Not only can students choose to read each poem alone, but also with a partner, or even a group.  Included at the front is an author’s note that provides information on how to read the poems.  Also added at the end of the book is a section entitled “Adventurous Ways to Read the Poems.”  This back matter was helpful because it provided other ways to read specific poems from the story.  Including these pieces gives the reader different approaches to read the poems which is a great addition to the book. 

This book is an exceptional piece to include into a poetry collection.  It is fun and spirited, and in ways accurate, to an elementary student’s school day, with added energy.  Readers of all ages will get much delight out of Messing Around on the Monkey Bars. 

Excerpt

Use

I would use this poem as a fun performance piece with the whole class.  Using pencils, students would tap their pencils on their table while chanting/reading the words in bold.  In the last stanza, I would have six students perform the movements that include bopping, hopping, snapping, clapping, etc. while the rest of the class is still tapping their pencils and chanting the words.  On the last line, students will emphasize the words tappity-tapping with a louder voice. 

Module 4: Book Review 12-Biographical Poetry

 How I Discovered Poetry

Bibliography

Nelson, M., & Hooper, H. (2014) How I Discovered Poetry. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 9780803733046

Summary  

In this beautifully written story by poet Marilyn Nelson, readers embark on a ten-year journey of her younger self and her discovery of poetry.  In the ten years, readers share in some of Nelson’s life lessons on friendship, fears, loss, moves, and race. Through simple, yet skillful poetic pieces, Nelson gives her audience snapshots of family life and cultural change during the Civil Rights era and how she dealt with being the first or only African American student in her class.  Through these poems, readers begin to experience the change of Nelson into becoming the poet that she is today. 

Analysis

In the book How I Discovered Poetry, there are fifty unrhymed sonnets that share the story of a poet and how she came to be.  Told by a “speaker,” and not specifically Nelson, the sonnets talk about a life like hers.  Each one, when read, has the voice of a young girl describing a specific time in her life that is important to her.  Throughout the story, readers can make connections to times in Nelson’s life that were important and memorable.  For example, the poem Pink Menace shares about the speaker’s good luck charms and how they help with no tragic catastrophes, with a catastrophe being a hydrogen bomb.  Memories like those are shared in this story because readers have had similar experiences to those.

All the sonnets in the story have familiar and relatable childhood experiences, which makes this book ideal for kids, ages 8 to 11.  There are laughs and challenging situations within this book that can be relatable to kids and kids of color, but overall, the reader develops growth.  Throughout the book, each page has a short story that adds to the whole.  Readers begin to grow and understand life just as Nelson did in this book.  Connections are important in this story because that is what makes it appealing to the audience.  This book is a great read and flows naturally.  Experience growth in a ten-year span with Nelson through her poems and enjoy the beauty of the language. 

This is a fantastic book to share with students.  It is a remarkable American story about growth through one of the most difficult eras.  Readers learn so much about one poet and how she became the writer she is today. 

Excerpt

Pink Menace

The Bomb Drill bell is not the Fire Drill bell
or the Tornado bell or the Recess
bell or the bell that says Time to Go Home.
Everybody's motto is Be Prepared,
so we practice Tragic Catastrophes,
hoping they won't come. (Keep your fingers crossed.)
My many secret good-luck rituals seem to be working okay. (Knock on wood.)
I never step on cracks in the sidewalk:
America’s safe from The Red Menace.
I touch a finger to the car window
whenever we drive over railroad tracks:
the Menace turns pink and fuzzy. At night,
I'm asleep before the end of my blessing list. 

Use

This poem can be used with a show and tell day.  Allow students to bring in an item that is a good luck charm or an item that keeps them safe.  Give students the opportunity to show and talk about their item they brought in and how and when they use it.  Allow discussion with one another when everyone has shared.