POETRY BY KIDS

SOFT HAY WILL CATCH YOU

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Compiled by Lyne, Sandford. SOFT HAY WILL CATCH YOU: POEMS BY YOUNG PEOPLE. Ill. by Julie Monks. Simon and Schuster: New York, NY, 2004. ISBN  978-0689834608

B. REVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this anthology collected by Sandford Lyne, young writers fro eight to eighteen share their thoughts on life, loneliness, and family.  It is the result of spending his time working with students and teaching them the art of writing and poetry. This compilation of one hundred poems is set up in six sections by theme, such as "The Inward Fire", "My Fire Casts Shadows", and "Smoke and Embers."  The poems are short, and demonstrate features such as imagery and free verse writing.  This collection touches on many emotions, and is a great book to share with readers of all ages.  The work done in this collection reminds us that poetry is for everyone, and everyone has the potential to write beautiful and resonating poems.  With just a few words and lines, these children share the infinite emotional interconnections we share as human beings.  From losing a pet to leaving one's home country, there is a poem in this book for everyone.

This collection includes a table of contents, and an index of the poets featured in the book. The illustrations by Julie Monks are featured delicately among the pages, and compliment the poetry nicely.

C. HIGHLIGHT POEM AND POETRY BREAK

For Social Studies, when discussing Economics, such as work and earning money, present this poem to the class.

All Work No Play

I've worked all day
and now my body is full of hurt.
My father says you have to work
to make a living.
Now as the sun goes down
I think about today.
He didn't make me work
so I would be mad.
He made me work so I could make
more out of my life.
That's why I got to drive the tractor.
That's why I got to hammer the nails.
And now as I settle down for bed
I pray for my father.

After reading this poem, discuss thoughts about work.  Ask these questions:

• Why do our parents make us do chores?
• Should they let us learn how to work once we are old enough?
• What is the value in helping our parents?
• Why did he pray for his father?

FREE CHOICE

GIFT TAG

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 A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vardell, Sylvia & Janet Wong. GIFT TAG.  PoetryTagTime.com, 2011. ASIN B0069RU7CE

B. CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REVIEW

Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong teamed together to tag and create an anthology of poems written by twenty-eight notable poets, on a set of three simple rules. This is a fun and playful collection of poems and interesting photographs.   Given these rules, poets such as Jane Yolen, Charles Waters, and Helen Frost take their writing hand and make poetry writing seem effortless and easy.

Using a photo, thoughts upon seeing the photo, and a maximum of 250 characters, these poets managed to create deeply meaningful works, all intended for a Kindle version of the book.  The single pages are a nice feature, as they allow the reader to first study the photo, then read the poem. These poems are each truly a gift, as they pull together the many tender feelings about tradition and the spirit of the Holidays.  In "Nativity," Lee Bennett Hopkins writes about a photo of a stained glass portrait of the Nativity scene at the Birth of Christ.  This was my favorite, as all of the traditions and familiar objects of Christmas come together in this very short poem.  

In this unique format, the websites provided in the foreword are a nice feature, and the information about each author at the end is great for more exploration.  Information is provided about the photographs, and the ideas shared about how to use photography was an added bonus!

C. HIGHLIGHT POEM AND POETRY BREAK

This is a great book to present over a projector, since it is intended for a Kindle.  I have my Kindle account set to my PC, so it is easy to project books this way.   

Schedule time in a computer class or a cart with laptops, iPads, etc. Read and present through the projector the following poem:

Gift Tag by Janet Wong 

I was about to write 

with love

from me to you

but that sounded too aw-

fully familiar so I’ll write 

just our names. Nothing 

else, only your name, 

happy on its own line, 

and mine, joined, sharing 

all that is unwritten.

Discuss the poem as a class.  Have students find a picture about school that means something special to them.  Encourage them to choose much like in the book: simple, unassuming, and clear.  Once they choose their photo, they can write something about the photo using 250 characters or less.  

Vardell, Sylvia; Janet Wong (2011-11-17). Gift Tag (PoetryTagTime Book 3) (Kindle Locations 240-244). PoetryTagTime.com. Kindle Edition. 

AN EXTRA REVIEW I REALLY ENJOYED

HONEYBEE: POEMS AND SHORT PROSE

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nye, Naomi Shihab. HONEYBEE: POEMS AND SHORT PROSE. Greenwillow Books: NY, NY: 2008. ISBN 9780060853907

B. REVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Naomi Nye begins her book of poetry and prose with an introduction into how she became interested and involved with the lives of bees.  She provides a wonderful background into her study of bees for her writing, and shares many of her findings in these insightful first few pages.

In this mix of poetry and prose, Nye connects bees lives to the the lives of our own.  She blends this poetry with a first person narrative of relationships, politics, and the simple journeys of life.  As an Arab-American, the main character brings a thoughtful approach to everyday life and nature through her point of view.

Nye provides insight into the natural and often unnoticed connection between nature and human existence.  The delicate balance between this insect and our existence is highlighted, as she plays thoughtfully throughout the book with her poems about these creatures.

JANECZKO POEMS

THAT SWEET DIAMOND: BASEBALL POEMS

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Janeczko, Paul B. THAT SWEET DIAMOND: BASEBALL POEMS. Ill. by Carole Katchen. New York,NY: Atheneum Books, 1998. ISBN 068980735X

B. CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REVIEW

In this collection of poems about America's favorite sport, Janeczko highlights all of the intricate and moving parts of a baseball game. The poems describe each facet of the game, and he creates a true account of every piece of the game.

This book will certainly be enjoyed by young adults and children who enjoy the sport of baseball, and  they will appreciate the athletic wisdom that Janeczko exhibits in this collection.  While the poems are geared towards baseball enthusiasts, it is still easy to enjoy his interpretation of the game. For anyone who has ever participated in the game or simply attended a game, his poems have an authentic account of how the game is played, and how the players play, how the crowd behaves, and even how spit may fly during the game.  Janeczko also brings in history, as he retells how a fan was born on the day of opening for Yankee Stadium.

The artwork is an impressionistic style, and it is gentle throughout the book.  It is a very enjoyable addition to the content of the poetry, and brings a sense of nostalgia to a true baseball lover.  This is a wonderful choice for any young reader who is looking for subject specific poetry, and may bring poetry to a reader who may not be a "fan" of it.

C. SPOTLIGHT POEM AND POETRY BREAK

SIGNS

The third-base coach

peers

shrugs

(scratches)

brushes his sleeves

encourages

claps

cheers

tugs one earlobe

the the other

whistles

(scratches)

exhorts

rubs his hands

hollers paces gazes

turns his back.

The batter steps out:

he needs to see 

them all again.

At the beginning of baseball season, read the poem aloud to the students.  Tell them that on the second reading, to act out the actions of the third-base coach.  Read it a third time for a better result. After, play video of a real-life third base coach!  Discuss what the "signs" might mean.

JOYCE SIDMAN POETRY

WHAT THE HEART KNOWS: CHANTS, CHARMS & BLESSINGS

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. WHAT THE HEART KNOWS: CHANTS, CHARMS,& BLESSINGS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston, MA: Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. ISBN 9780544106161

B.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REVIEW

Joyce Sidman presents a collection of 29 poems arranged by categories.  In Chants and Charms, she uses repetition and rhyming to bring light to the emotions and heart felt wants of every human being.  From chanting for a friendship to come to life again, to help with sleeping. Sidman provides the reader with this self-help poetry, and the reader instantly will connect with her sympathetic  words.  In "Spells and Invocations," Sidman uses a play with words in her poems written to bring forth change.  In Laments and Remembrances, Sidman captures what it is to regret, and wish for what once was.  In Lament For My Old Life, it amazing how she embraces the reader with her words and wanting to go back to what you once had.   In Praise Songs and Blessings, it is the small and everyday things in life that Sidman captures in her words.  The importance and meaning these things have in our lives is so well put in her poetry, and she brings a sense of gratitude for these things through her writing.

These poems are fun, touching, and inspiring.  In the poem, Illness: A Conversation, Sidman gives hope and glory to those who may be feeling ill, aged, or tired.  A new perspective will be gained in an instant, and a challenge may instantly become a hidden blessing.  She writes, “I asked my feet why they could not walk and they said, We are treading water.”  In just that first line of this poem, Sidman opens our perspective on illness, and hope peeks in.  This is amazingly well- written poetry that presents itself almost as prayer.  This fresh insight into how our bodies change and the power we all have to go on is captured so well in this poem.  

Joyce Sidman is an award winning author, and has written other collections such as SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN, DARK EMPEROR, and THIS IS JUST TO SAY.  She is the winner of a Newbery Honor, and this book has received numerous positive reviews.  Illustrator Pamela Zagarenski is a Caldecott Honor winner, and has illustrated other works such as THE WHISPER.

Sidman’s poetry and Zagarenski’s artwork are a wonderful craft put together that will surely speak to every reader’s heart.

The illustrations from award winning illustrator Pamela Zagarenski are absolutely phenomenal.  They are intriguing, captivating, and truly remarkable.  Each one is a piece of art in itself.  They add to the eccentric tone of the book, and bring these chants, spells, and blessings to life.  The illustrations are a mix of media and computer illustrations.  They bring a modern and contemporary vibe to the book, and act as an art studio mixed in with poetry.   There is artwork in every piece of this book, and the creativity spills over from page to page.  

In her author’s note, Sidman introduces her  poetry and explains the nature of her poetry.  She offers insight, and even encourages her readers to become writers themselves.  In her Contents page, she presents the categories of her writing, and a brief definition of each category.  In the book, she provides an additional explanation for each category at each section.  This allows the reader an opportunity to choose what kind of poem they would like to read.

This particular copy has a red book mark ribbon attached to the binding of the book.  This gives a wonderful and personal feel to the book.  As a reader comes along a poem he or she would like to keep a tab, on, the red ribbon serves its purpose.  

C. HIGHLIGHT POEM AND ACTIVITY

Blessings on the Smell of Dog

May the dog always smell of Dog.

May his scent seep through

Perfumed shampoos

Like the rich tang of mud in spring.

May the grass cling to his paws,

The loam of his belly;

May his fur hold the wind’s breath.

May we forgive him

His whiffs of carrion and scat

From the treasures he gathers so diligently.

As we turn from all that is false,

may we praise instead

The warm scent buried like a promise

In that deep-hearted chest:

Den, comfort, home.

Talk about issues with pets.  Sometimes they can be difficult, almost like small children.  Some are kept inside, some outside.  Does this poem bring the smell of a dog to you?  Can you form a mental picture of this smell?

Students can collect photos of their dogs or pets and form a class collage.  Have a copy of the poem and add the pictures to the poem.  Research what animal shelters or rescue centers there are in your area.  The class or group can then present their creation to a local Animal Rescue or Animal Shelter.  The collage can also be kept in class for others to enjoy.

PERFORMANCE POETRY

JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fleischman, Paul. JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES. Ill. by Eric Beddows. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1998. ISBN 9780060218539

B. CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REVIEW

Paul Fleischman presents a collection of fourteen poems written especially for performance.  In the note, he provides directions on how these poems are to be performed for two readers.  He suggests that each reader reads either the right side or left side, and which lines they read together or solo.  These poems are based on insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, honeybees, and house crickets.  The poems bring these insects to life, as readers perform insect action through words.  The poems take on a lyrical effect, as the two readers join together in reading parts of the poems.   In Book Lice, Fleischman uses rhyming, and references works found in the average library.  He incorporates sensory imagery as he describes the dusty bookshelves in the library where the book lice live.  He also incorporates personification, as the insects honeymoon, read, and meet each other in this humorous perspective of book bugs.  All of his poems in this collection are well-thought, and his play on words make these poems a very enjoyable activity. He offers a wide range of moods, including funny and sad.  In Chrysalis Diary, the author takes us through the journey from a caterpillar to a butterfly, and provides a unique perspective on this insect’s emotional transformation.

Young readers will enjoy reading these duet poems.  Repeated readings will be needed, as it takes practice to synchronize correctly. Any of the poems in this collection are great for poetry performances, poetry jams and poetry competitions.  As this book incorporates insects, this would be a wonderful addition to a science unit on insects.  In addition, these poems provide a wonderful opportunity for enhancing vocabulary, reading fluency, and prosody.  

The book begins with a note from the author on how the book should be read between two readers.  A table of contents is also included.  The illustrations are a fantastic addition to this collection.  They provide a visual for the reader, and create a light and fun feeling about the book.   In Honeybees, illustrator Eric Beddows draws a honeybee in a feminine-like manner, and sits her upon a fancy lounge chair.  The reader can infer that this is an illustration of the queen bee, and this is confirmed after reading the poem.  All of the illustrations provide a refreshing take on these creepy critters, and make the topic much more approachable for those who fear the creatures.

Paul Fleischman is an author of other titles, such as I AM PHOENIX: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES, THE BIRTHDAY TREE, AND GRAVEN IMAGES.  JOYFUL NOISE was the winner of the John Newbery Medal in 1989.  

C. HIGHLIGHT POEM AND POETRY ACTIVITY

Excerpt from Honeybees:

(The right side is to be read by one reader, the left by the other.  Lines that are aligned should be read in unison).

Being a bee                           Being a bee

                                                Is a joy.

Is a pain.

                                                I’m a queen.

I’m a worker

I’ll gladly explain.               I’ll gladly explain.

                                               Upon rising, I’m fed

                                                By my royal attendants,

I’m up at dawn, guarding

The hives narrow entrance

                                                I’m bathed

Then I take out

The hives morning trash

                                               Then I’m groomed.

Then  put in an hour

Making wax,

Without two minutes’ time

To sit still and relax.

Two students will be assigned to read Honeybees together.  As part of the preparation, they should have multiple opportunities to practice reading the poem together.  For the performance, these students should bring props that are representative of a queen (crown, cape, fancy clothes, etc.) .  They will also need to use physical movements, or pantomime,  to act out what the queen is doing.  Students should attempt to bring out the humor and ironic elements of the poem through their reading and physical movements.

HOPKINS AWARD POETRY

UNDER THE MESQUITE

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

McCall, Guadalupe G. UNDER THE MESQUITE. New York: Lee and Low Books, 2011. ISBN 9780329926045

B. CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REVIEW

In this wonderful narrative written in verse, Guadalupe Garcia McCall presents a free verse novel of a young girl growing up during change, illness, all the while experiencing common teenage themes.  Lupita is one of the children in a family of nine, and they are representative of Mexican-American immigrants.   The story presents an authentic perspective of the immigrant experience, and the family dynamics typical of a large family. The movement of the verses are quick, and move the story along beautifully.  McCall presents her novel using sensory imagery, and uses a combination of English and Spanish  to convey the story of a young girl growing up between two countries. This combination lends itself to young Hispanic readers, as the words and phrases are common to the border culture.  

Young readers living in border states of the United States will easily connect to the story and content of this novel.  Readers who have experienced loss or illness in their family will also find this book touches on many emotions, as Lupita struggles in her ability to deal with teenage issues and family trouble.  As Lupita adjusts from living in one country to another, she is also struggling with the recent cancer diagnosis of her mother.  She is charged with the care of her younger siblings, and discovers the labor involved in raising young children.

It is a book that can be enjoyed and finished over just a few hours.  McCall creates a vivid picture of the transition of being a young and careless girl, to a young woman who is conflicted with emotions and dreams.   Just as Lupita transitions from one country to another, she simultaneously transitions from a girl to a young woman caring for her siblings and family.  She also discovers her connection with writing and poetry,  and the feeling of hope is developed well.

The poems are arranged in a simple format, with each verse only a couple of pages long.  The stanzas provide natural  breaks, and help the reader move through the reading nicely.  The cover is an image of a young girl standing under a mesquite tree with a setting sun in the background. The mesquite tree has visible roots, which upon closer viewing appear to be a map of Mexico. McCall provides a Reference tool for the names, Spanish words, and cultural references made in the book.  This is very helpful to someone who is unfamiliar with the Hispanic culture and language.  It is also nice to confirm the meaning of words, and that these words are typical throughout families in the border states, both on the U.S. side and Mexican side.

Guadalupe McCall is a distinguished writer from Texas, and is a wonderful example for young ladies looking for inspiration.  Originally born in Mexico, McCall utilizes her personal experiences in her writing, and the authenticity reflected in her writing is exceptional.

C. HIGHLIGHT POEM AND POETRY BREAK

A portion from Chismosa

I thought I was being clever
By sitting just outside the kitchen window,
But I was wrong.
!Chismosa! Mami chastises me
When she catches me eavesdropping
On her and her comadres.
Then she orders me to go scrub
The bathrooms, toilets, and all.


Have students quietly reflect on the punishment Lupita received for being a chismosa. Then have a discussion about what they think about how Mami punished Lupita.  After reading the entire verse Chismosa, create a word map for the word chismosa.  Talk about all of the meanings for this word based on what the students read.  Knowledge of the Spanish language is not necessary, since students should be able to infer the meaning.  What are some English words that mean the same thing?  

SOCIAL STUDIES POETRY

WICKED GIRLS: A NOVEL OF THE
WITCH TRIALS

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hemphill, Stephanie. WICKED GIRLS: A NOVEL OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS. New York, NY: Blazer + Bray, 2010. ISBN 9780061853289

B.  REVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

WICKED GIRLS is a fresh and modern presentation of  the historical fiction, THE CRUCIBLE, in the form of a novel in verse.  With the characters Mercy Lewis, Ann Putman, and Margaret Walcott, the story of the Salem Witch trials comes to life in a quick and enjoyable read.  Each verse is told from the perspective of one of the characters, and this may pose to be a bit confusing at first.  However, through the first few verses, the reader will adjust to the narrator of each poem, and the personalities of each character will become more clear through each verse.

This presentation of historical fiction is a great format for young readers who are not fond of this genre.  The combination of historical fiction and a novel in verse prove to be a wonderful method of delivering a classic story.  The interweaving of the characters and the plot coupled with the verse captivate the reader. In this novel, themes such as jealousy, love, and deceit are the common themes still familiar to young readers today.  The delivery of the story brings together the plan of deceit, and the wicked web weaved by the accusers.  Although there are no illustrations or pictures of the characters or setting, the reader may find themselves forming their own visual of what the characters looked like and what the time period may have been like.

The overall impact of this book is that it leaves a robust desire to find out more information about the Salem Witch Trials.  Who were the accusers?  Why did they formulate this plan?  Did witches ever really exist?  The angle by which Hemphill presents this story and meshes historical facts into the novel allow the reader to enjoy history while still learning about the time period.

The cover is a dramatic image of a blonde, young girl surrounded by a black background.  The title, WICKED GIRLS, is presented in a  witch-like, green stoke, and haunting text.  There are occasional branch-like imprints on a few of the pages, however, there are no other illustrations in the novel.  After the final verse of the novel, Hemphill provides historical information on the accusers and the the girls who were accused.  Information such as their true name, family information, and death information is provided.  The author also provides a short author’s note, and a resource for anyone looking to research the Salem Witch Trials further. This book will surely leave young readers with the desire to learn more about this wicked story!


C.  HIGHLIGHT POEM AND POETRY BREAK 

No Kin In Salem Village

Mercy Lewis, 17

Through the mosquitoes

Bite fierce and the hour falls

Deep in the belly of the night,

I do sneak from the house.

I cannot be contained.

I crunch through the thicket.

I pat my thigh

Three times calling

For the ghost of my dog,

The only one who really cared

For me in this town,

Now rotting in a shallow grave.

I faint back into leaves

Loosed from fat-trunked trees

And bury myself.

I wish to find family

Somewhere, even if it’s underground.

Discuss games played as children.  Hide-N-Go Seek, London Bridge, etc.  Have students research some of their favorite childhood games and find the origins of the games and the names of these games.   Ask them to discuss if they can make any connections to those games and possible trouble those games could have gotten them into.  Discuss the feelings Mercy Lewis is feeling in the verse, and how she may be regretting her decision to go along with the lie.  Can they relate to how this character is feeling?

SCIENCE POETRY

A MIRROR TO NATURE: POEMS

ABOUT REFLECTION

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yolen, Jane. A MIRROR TO NATURE: POEMS ABOUT REFLECTION. Photographs by Jason Stemple.  Wordsong: Honesdale, PA, 2009.  ISBN 9781590786246

B.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REVIEW

Yolen is an award winning poet, and has written over 170 books over her lifetime.  She is known for her storytelling across the country, and many of her works have been translated into other languages for the world to enjoy.  MIRROR TO NATURE was the winner of the John Burroughs Nature Books for Young Readers Award. The collection is a very gentle peek into nature, and the photography allows readers to enjoy the splendid images nature has to offer.  Her poems are light-hearted, yet provide enough science content to be included in a unit study on ecology. ages.  This collection of short poems by Jane Yolen is a combination of poetry and magnificent photography. Animals are the featured subject of her poetry, and real life pictures make this poetry book an excellent choice for connecting poetry and science content. In this collection of twelve poems, she uses mostly rhyming patterns, lyrical rhythms, and she touches on haiku in Spoonbill Haiku. She uses imagery, similes, and onomatopoeia, such as –pop! across her poems.

Jane Yolen provides short captions for each featured animal, and gives brief and interesting facts about the animal.  The captions are all placed at the lower parts of the pages, and are italicized. This separation makes a clear distinction for the reader that this text is not part of the poem. These captions support the poem and allow for the reader to “reflect” back on the poem and even perhaps re-read it with a deeper understanding of the animal.  In the poem The Deer Reflects Himself, Yolen writes, “A deer that stays too long reflecting is a deer called meat.”  In her caption, she explains how deer can be considered a nuisance when they are overpopulated.  By doing this, Yolen provides clarity to her poem and affords the perfect opportunity for discussion.  The organisms and animals Yolen has chosen for her poetry are typically ones of great wonder for young children, and even adults.  Animals such as the spoonbill, snail, cockle, and coyote are photographed and paired with their poems for a great combination of visual and reading enjoyment.

Each poem is arranged across a two page spread, and is placed opposite of the still-life photograph of the animal.  The background color of the spread compliments the animal and its habitat, making for a very pleasing presentation.  Jason Stemple captures each animal against water, and he uses this as the reflection method in his photography.  Yolen then uses the characteristics captured in the photographs in her writing.  In Moorhen’s Mirror, the awkward image of the bird’s reflection is the subject of Yolen’s poem.   

As a feature of the book, Yolen provides a useful Table of Contents for the reader, and an author’s note providing background information on the creation of the book.



C.  HIGHLIGHT POEM AND POETRY BREAK 

How The Wood Stork Population Might Grow

How to double your population?

Stand in water smooth as glass,

This is not mere speculation.

Check the wood storks by the grass.

I count seven in the group,

But by viewing their reflection,

Double up the wood stork troop-

A population resurrection.

After reading the poem, have students think about and do a little research for their favorite animal.  They will draw a picture of their animal and attempt to draw the animal’s reflection.  At the bottom of their drawing, they will provide two or three fun facts on their animal.  

BIOGRAPHICAL POETRY

HOW I DISCOVERED POETRY

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A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Marilyn. HOW I DISCOVERED POETRY. Ill. by Hadley Hooper. Dial Books: New York, NY, 2014.  ISBN 9780803733046

B. REVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A powerful and memorable collection of fifty short poems, delivered as a compact autobiography of a short time period in Marilyn Nelson’s childhood life during the Civil Rights era.  She takes the reader along for her ride as a child from 1950 to 1959, as she travels with her family during military relocations across the country.  Told from a first person perspective, Nelson provides an intimate look into the years she developed as a young African-American girl during a turbulent time period for America.  She gently touches on the beginnings of her passion for writing through non-rhyming sonnets based on her childhood experiences and the time period.

While the Civil Rights era has been presented through a number of generations and formats by other writers, Nelson delivers an innovative perspective in her collection.  Without using inappropriate language, she hints at the derogatory terms often associated with the time period with her literary devices, and her perception of what those words implied.  Nelson also gives the interesting viewpoint as an African-American girl growing  up around white children in different geographical locations, and how she struggled with her identity during that time.  Young adults experiencing military relocation will bond to Nelson, as well as young developing writers. Nelson also connects the reader to common childhood experiences, such as having to leave family pets behind and playing on a schoolyard playground.  The innocent misunderstandings of a young mind, and the lack of knowledge of the turmoil surrounding the innocence of childhood is the highlight of Nelson’s craft in this collection.  In “Caucasian Dinner,” Nelson writes about how they are the first African-American family in Kittery Point, Maine, and the “Caucasian” dinner they have that day.  

The cover of the book is fascinating.  Pictures of Nelson and her family are strung across a clotheslines, attached with clothespins.  Behind the pictures and the title are very light colored significant words from the book.  These words are a great reflection piece after the book has been read.  Inside the book, the poems are arranged across a two-page spread, some accompanied by illustrations, and some not.  Hadley Hooper incorporates real life black and white photography, and also illustrates using blues and yellows.  Each title of the poem is printed in a grayish-blue cursive text, and is followed by the location and year for which the poem is written about.  At the end of the collection is an author’s note, which explains how and why the book was written.  An added feature is the “Who’s Who” in the family photo note, and original publication for some of the poetry contained in the collection.

C. HIGHLIGHT POEM AND POETRY BREAK

Sinfonia Concertante

(Fort Worth, Texas, 1959)

Daddy’s here on temporary duty,

So Mama’s piano is in storage.

Home is a four-room third floor apartment

In a Negro quarter of the city.

My all-black classmates act like I’m from Mars.

Are you the girl from California?

Talk for us. And these boys act like I’m cute!

Miss Jackson saw me pretend piano

And had me put into a music class.

String quartet: two violins, cello,

And on viola, me, sawing away.

Daddy says my squawks set his teeth on edge,

So I practice out on the balcony,

Genius on view all up and down the block.

Read the poem aloud as a class during a Poetry Break for a unit on the Civil Rights Era or Black History Month.  Discuss the ways in which Nelson is like the other children she is with, and how is she different.  Pose these discussion questions:

• Is she connecting to her peers in this poem?
• Do you think they accept her, even though they are also African-American?
• What experiences  have changed the way she relates to her peers?
• Since she plays on the balcony, what do her neighbors think about her family?