Module 3: Poetry
Bibliography:
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2011. I AM THE BOOK. Ill. by Yayo. Dongguan City, China: Holiday House. ISBN:9780823421190
Plot Summary:
Hopkins created a wonderful collection of poems written with an emphasis on the joys of reading books. Each author included in this book displayed their poem on a two-fold page, that included beautiful illustrations created by Yayo. Readers will unlock many whimsical, imaginative, and clever poems all dealing with the love of reading.
Critical Analysis:
I AM THE BOOK is a thematic collection of thirteen poems that are all relevant to passions of reading books, how books make you feel, and celebrating reading. The book includes a variety of poets such as Karen B. Winnick, Karla Kuskin, Rebecca Kai Dtlich, Michele Krueger, and many more. The collection of poems are meant for a younger audience to inspire them to read.
Although all of the poems are relevant to the theme of reading, each one has its own twist and take on what reading books truly means. For example Karal Kiskin writes, “...the wisdom of wizards, the songs of the ages, all wonders of wandering wonderful pages.” She does a beautiful job at incorporating what the speaker is reading about, and how the speaker sees wonders while he/she is reading, and allows the reader to visualize how your imagination can take you away while reading.
Another example is by Beverly McLoughland titled When I Read, “...When I read, I like to dive In the sea of words and swim. Feet Kicking fast across the page Splashing words against my skin.” Beverly incorporates a brilliant metaphoric comparison of reading to the action of swimming. This poem allows its readers to easily imagine someone swimming through a book!
The illustrations for each poem take up a two-fold page using bright, brilliant acrylics all created by Yayo. Each playful illustration compliments the poems, and illuminates excitement for the reader. For example, the poem When I Read, by Beverly McLoughland, Yayo creates the metaphor that is being expressed in the poem perfectly, by illustrating an image of a man diving into a book cover made of water. The structure of the poems remained consistent with the title and author displayed at the top of each page along with a simple and easy to read text for young readers. Overall, the poems and pictures will draw in a range of young readers who will find this creative book of poems to be a treasure.
Review Except(s):
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A whimsical collection of 13 short poems, all celebrating books and reading. Many are by well-known authors like Naomi Shihab Nye and Jane Yolen, while others are by less-familiar poets. Overall, the quality of the selections is good.”
KIRKUS REVIEW: “In a whole that definitely doesn't measure up to the sum of its parts, this sadly uneven collection opens with six inventive celebrations in which books and water are interwoven themes. It closes with five landlocked tributes to bookishness and shoehorns in between one off-topic contribution by Hopkins and another by Jane Yolen.”
Connections:
*For national poetry month, this would be a great kick start book to read to students in order to introduce them to the many astonishing poets ranging from veteran poets to lesser-known poets.
*Visit the Lee Bennett Hopkins Website where students can further their research on Lee Bennett Hopkins and how he creates his poems, awards he has received, a list of books that he has published, and the background of the author. http://www.leebennetthopkins.com
*After reading the 13 poems from this book, invite students to collaborate and create their own pieces of poetry. These can also be an exciting activity where students can share their work in a poetry reading during national poetry month.
*Other pieces of poetry written by Lee Bennett Hopkins that can further learning on this author and his creations:
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Bibliography:
Grimes, Nikki. 2015. POEMS IN THE ATTIC. III. by Elizabeth Zunon. New York, NY: Lee and Low Books Inc. ISBN: 9781620140277
Plot Summary:
A young girl takes a visit to her grandmother, once there she discovers a box of treasured letters written by her beloved mother. As you read, the mother’s letters come alive, each written in poem format, the little girl learns her family’s history. The mother’s father was in the Air Force, so each poem describes a different scenery throughout the world such as California, Alaska, New Mexico, Texas, Germany, Japan, and many more. The little girl is quite intrigued after reading all of her mother’s poems and decides to create a book that includes her own personal poems, along with her mother’s for someone to one day find in the attic.
Critical Analysis:
Nikki Grimes creates a relatable connection between mother and child. Readers of all ages can correlate to the storyline, as well as enjoy the elements of poetry that are included in this book. Each poem written by the character's mother is written within five lines. Each poem starts with a bold title, the poems are written in free-verse format without including any rhyming words or rhythm. However, young readers can still read and enjoy the simple, descriptive, five lined poems and follow the emotions as the young girl, as she empathizes to her mother’s constant moving.
The author does a great job at describing each scenery and the actions of the characters. For example the poem titled Class Trip, “My class camping trip! Rhinoceros beetles, dragonflies joined us. We ate squid-on-a-stick, slept at the foot of Mount Fuji.” Even though it only contained five lines the author took careful consideration in choosing these descriptions to show her readers what the speaker is experiencing in Japan, such as the wild animals, bugs, and looming Mt. Fuji! The little humor that is also in place when she describes eating, “squid-on-a-stick,” can make each poem memorable to its audience.
The format of the book was very refreshing. Each two-fold page was separated by a division to show on the left side, the young girl reading her mother’s poetry, and on the right side the mother (when she was her daughters age). In correspondence to each character Grimes wrote a narrative story next to the young girl, and the poetry that she found, on the right side of the page where it showed the mother. This allowed the reader to better visualize what is happening in the present with the young girl, and what happened in the past throughout the mother’s travels.
The illustrations created by Elizabeth Zunon, were magnificent and correlated masterfully to the content. The pictures were illustrated with bright colors and textures to show in detail the many places that the mother visited throughout her journey as a young girl. Each illustration demonstrated the wondrous colors that can be seen from the Northern Lights in Alaska, to the ice caps on Mount Fuji.
Review Except(s):
KIRKUS REVIEW: “Succinct poetry shines in this impassioned celebration of history; the stories of this African-American family traveling the globe are rich with heart and color.”
THE HORN BOOK REVIEW: “Each page turn is like opening that old box in the attic — you never know what is coming next.”
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee (2017)
Connections:
*Invite students to research all of the places that were mentioned in the book to understand why the author choose Mt. Fuji and Kimonos in Japan, castles in Germany, and horseback riding in Texas.
*Students can create personal five-lined poems based off the places that they have been before focusing on the environment around them, activities that they did, and experiences they made with others while traveling.
Bibliography:
Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. Virgina: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 9780374317768
Plot Summary:
Willow, the main character strives to prove to her parents that she is old enough to go mushing with their sled dogs alone to her grandparents' house. They eventually say yes, and on Willow’s travels back home a devastating accident occurs to one of the most cherished lead sled dogs, Roxy, that ends up leaving her blind. Willow has a difficult time coping with the fact that Roxy may not ever see again, and feels as though it was all her fault. With the thought that Roxy might be put down, Willow derives a plan with her best friend Kaylie to save Roxy and travel again to her grandparents’ house. The girls run into a dilemma when heavy snow falls and Willow loses sight of the path. As night falls, the girls end up sleeping outside through the snow storm knowing that their families must be looking for them. When morning appears the next day, the girls are reunited with their worried parents and Willow learns a new family secret, that she had a twin sister. After learning that she had a twin sister that died after 4 days of life, Willow seems to form a strong bond with Roxy and ends up saving her life.
Critical Analysis:
Diamond Willow is an outstanding verse novel that truly defines a moving story. Helen Frost uses diamond-shaped poems that are linked to the story plot, when it describes how Willow was given her name based off of diamonds that can be found in polished willow sticks. Within each diamond poem, the author creates hidden messages by using bold face print on specific words that sum up the characters deep feelings and thoughts. Each diamond shape is different ranging from smaller diamond poems to larger ones. The text is easy to read with an exciting plot and climax that links everything together in the end.
Throughout the story there are short expert disruptions written in different animal perspectives. Each excerpt describes what the animal sees as situations arise to the characters. There is a nosey mouse,(who turns out to be Willow’s great-grandfather), a motherly spruce hen (who is Willow’s great-great-great grandmother), and the lead sled dog Roxy (who is Willows deceased twin sister). These short narratives give the reader a deeper look at many events that occurred in the story in different perspectives of her late ancestors. This also ties into the theme of the novel, that someone or something is always watching out for you.
Although there are no illustrations in this verse novel, the book cover displays a dark blue scenery, with the main character Willow, and the main lead sled dog Roxy. The characters are looking at each other directly in the eyes, as to relate to future events that occur in the story that leave Roxy blinded. The creative writing by Frost, allows readers to imagine in detail the snowy, bitter, white scenery of Alaska, and the beautiful nature that surrounds the characters in many unusual ways. Readers will be able to easily relate to the emotions of the middle school character, her eagerness to grow up, and the challenges she faces with her strong bond to her beloved dog.
Review Except(s):
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: “This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”
BOOKLIST REVIEW: “Set in a remote part of Alaska, this story in easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girl's discovery of family roots and secrets.”
KIRKUS REVIEW: “Frost presents her story in a series of poems in Willow's voice, using a form inspired by the marks on a diamond willow stick.”
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award
Iowa Children’s Book Award Nominee (2010)
Connections:
*This is a great text to introduce that poems take on many different forms and shapes. After reading this verse novel, allow students to create their own verses of poetry in a shape that relates back to the theme of their poem.
*Using the main theme of this verse novel, students can read other books related to sled dog racing by reading the following books:
- London, Johnathan. SLED DOGS RUN. ISBN: 978-0802789587
- Freedman, Donna. White, Ed. FOXY’S TALE: THE TRUE STORY OF A CHAMPION ALASKAN SLED DOG. ISBN: 978-0964417106
- Blake. Robert. AKIAK: A TALE FROM THE IDITAROD. ISBN:9780142401859
*Read other verse novels written by Helen Frost to find similarities and differences in her writing, such as:
- Frost, Helen. CROSSING STONES. ISBN: 0374316538
- Frost, Helen. HIDDEN. ISBN:0374382212
- Frost, Helen. APPLESAUCE WEATHER. ISBN: 0763675768
Bibliography:
Sidman, Joyce. 2009. RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS A YEAR IN COLORS. III. by Pamela Zagarenski. New York, NY: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780547014944
Plot Summary:
Joyce Sidman writes poems about the four seasons while incorporating colors that naturally blossom in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Sidman describes each season using at least six poems to depict the weather, temperature, activities, and even tapping into your senses to describe each season. The main character and her dog start off in Spring and travel through each following season. The character, who remains nameless, is observing all the beautiful scenery, creatures, activities, structures, sky colors, objects, and feelings that appear within each season.
Critical Analysis:
Sidman’s writing uses many poetic elements, one of them is the use of figurative language. The use of the onomatopoeia when she writes, “In Spring, Red sings from treetops: cheer-cheer-cheer…” gives the reader a feel for the sounds that are echoing around the character. Each poem is fairly short, but does not lack any descriptive narratives. Sidman’s poems are bursting with imagery while she incorporates the colors, smells, feelings, tastes, and sounds all around.
The text is typed in a simple font, while interestingly, Sidman highlights the descriptive color words in white. This allows the reader to really focus on the color choices that are being presented within each season. For some seasons, you are presently surprised to see a color mentioned that would not originally come to mind. For instance, in winter Sidman writes, “Pink blooms powder-soft over pastel hills.” This allows the reader to broaden their color scheme and imagination from the typical colors that are thought of for each season. As this may be true, overall, the colors and seasons were connected beautifully and vibrantly.
The illustrations created by Pamela Zagarenski included mixed media paintings. The pictures filled every corner of each page, while interestingly incorporating a red bird to appear on each page. All of the creatures, including the main character, were all wearing little crowns above their head. This made for a fun and interesting find. Each picture includes many minute details small and large as the use of many textures, and of course colors make the main character stand out on every page.
Review Except(s):
KIRKUS review: "A charming inspiration to notice colors and correlate emotions.”
HORN BOOK starred review: "Sustaining the playfulness of the text and its sense of awe, mystery, and beauty, the illustrations contribute gracefully to the celebration."
BOOKLIST starred review: "As the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page, do sing."
Caldecott Medal Nominee (2010)
Claudia Lewis Award (2010)
Minnesota Book Award for Children’s Literature (2010)
Connections:
*This would be a great intro book to show a young audience about the four seasons as well as colors. For an older audience, it can be used to introduce how colors can set tones and moods in a poetic narrative.
*This poem book has many teaching points that can be mentioned while reading to help students understand the placement of punctuation, uses of imagery, and how to incorporate figurative language elements into their own writings.
*Students can continue learning about the many features that Joyce Sidman presents in her compilation of poem books by reading the following:
- Sidman, Joyce. DARK EMPEROR AND OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT. ISBN: 9780547152288
- Sidman, Joyce. WINTER BEES & OTHER POEMS OF THE COLD. ISBN: 9780547906508
- Sidman, Joyce. SWIRL BY SWIRL: SPIRALS IN NATURE. ISBN:9780547315836
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