Module 3: Book Review 8- Verse Novel

 Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse

Bibliography

Wissinger, T.W. & Cordell, M. (2013) Gone Fishing: A novel in verse. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780547820118

Summary

Join in with Dad, Sam, and an unwelcomed little sister, Lucy as they embark on a sunrise to sunset fishing trip with an enormous amount of different poetry techniques and forms used throughout the story.  Share in the preparation of gathering Sam’s tackle box, launching the boat, singing to Lucy’s song, and even getting to know Catfish Sam.  Delight in the family bonding that occurs on the lake with just a fishing pole and net, a bucket of worms, and poems from ballads to lyric.  This novel in verse is a sweet and charming story to be read by all, even including the fishing fanatics and poetry lovers. 

Analysis

In this unique and wonderful verse novel, Gone Fishing is a story that presents a young boys adventures about a day of fishing with his dad and little sister told in varying styles of poetic forms and techniques. It evokes feelings we all have shared in our lifetime from frustration, to annoyance, even forgiveness.  The poem, Can’t Go Fishing Yet Blues, provides readers with the message of frustration like used in the lines, “Our boat’s not wet and I’m not fishing: GRRRR/ My line’s not wet and I’m not fishing: GRRRR.” 

It is also relatable with the outdoor fishing adventure, sibling rivalry, and the family relationships experienced in the story.  The poem, We Love Fishing, is a dramatic poem that shares Dad, Sam, and Lucy’s voice and expresses the love and bond that they created that day. 

The poetry forms and techniques that were used did a fantastic job at helping to narrate the story.  Each was nicely woven into one another to share the perspectives of Sam, Dad, and Lucy.  Not once does a reader get lost or confused at how this story is told.  At the end of the book is “The Poet’s Tackle Box” that helps explain the different techniques and forms of poetry used throughout the pages and in what poems.  It is a great resource that can help teach students these different techniques and forms for a lesson. 

Each illustration drawn in black ink pen and with a watercolor form, is sweet and heartwarming.  They are simple and truly depict the emotions of the characters and of the events that occur on the fishing trip.  Matthew Cordell did a marvelous job at making each illustration compliment the poem. 

This poetry book would be great for students who enjoy reading short and quick novels.  With the story told in verse, easy to follow and understand, students in grades 2^nd through 6^th will genuinely appreciate the work Wissinger put into this book.  

Excerpt

What to Pack?

What to pack?
I’ll need a snack:
Apple juice, granola bar.
 
Puzzles, games,
my teddy, James,
My nature books, my toy guitar,
 
My wooden box
of pretty rocks,
My art supplies—that’s all I’ll take.
 
I can’t forget
my Play-Doh set.
Sam! Aren’t you ready for the lake?

Use

This is just one of three list poems used in the story Gone Fishing.  This is a silly and witty list poem told from the perspective of little sister Lucy.  Discuss and share the excerpt from “The Poet’s Tackle Box” about what a list poem is.  Explain that list poems can either rhyme or not and create one with the class.  After students have helped the teacher create a list poem, allow students to create one on their own.  Their topics/subjects can be of their interests.