WHAT ARE YOU GLAD ABOUT? WHAT ARE YOU MAD ABOUT? : POEMS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED POEMS
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Viorst, Judith. WHAT ARE YOU GLAD ABOUT? WHAT ARE YOU MAD ABOUT?: POEMS FOR WHEN A PERSON NEEDS A POEM. Art by Lee White. New York, NY: Atheneum Books, 2016. ISBN 9781481423557
Because of the rhyming patterns of many of the poems, the poems in this collection are enjoyable and keep the reader’s attention. Through a very creative delivery, Viorst manages to delve into touchy subjects such as divorce and dealing with bullies. In I’m Not My Best Friend’s Best Friend Anymore, Viorst writes, “I told her that I didn’t care, I lied/ The day we broke up I came home and I cried.” Instantly, Viorst strikes an emotional chord with the reader with this exceptional poem about losing a friend.
The poems are each titled and are arranged in chapter-like sections by topics such as School Stuff, About the Family, Home and Away, and Mysteries. The poems in each chapter relate to the chapter headings. In the chapter, School Stuff, poems such as School Lunch, Arithmetrick, and Reading and Writing are organized under the chapter topic. Essentially, a child could choose what topic they would like to read and enjoy, and later come back to the book for more reading. An added feature of the book is an index, which is arranged in alphabetical order. The illustrations are simple pencil vintage-style drawings, with plenty of detail to enjoy. They are symbolic of what each poem is about. In My Papa, White captures many of the elements from the poem in her illustrations. The illustrations are presented in hues of blue, gray, and black, and are a great component of the book.
B. REVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Viorst presents a collection of over fifty short poems about the ups and downs in moods during the childhood years. Each poem is a thoughtful delivery of the many emotions that a young child may experience through the days of their school lives, family lives, and lives within their own heads. Just as the name of the book suggests, the moods and emotions of a young adult can vary from one extreme to another, often in the same day. Viorst has compiled her collection of poetry perfectly together with a poem for every mood in a young family’s house. Viorst uses rhyming patterns in many of her poems, as well as sensory and imagery to create a sympathetic poetic connection for every child to enjoy. None of the patterns are overly complex, nor is the language in the poetry over done. The tones in her poems vary from humorous, to sad, and even happy and light at times.
Because of the rhyming patterns of many of the poems, the poems in this collection are enjoyable and keep the reader’s attention. Through a very creative delivery, Viorst manages to delve into touchy subjects such as divorce and dealing with bullies. In I’m Not My Best Friend’s Best Friend Anymore, Viorst writes, “I told her that I didn’t care, I lied/ The day we broke up I came home and I cried.” Instantly, Viorst strikes an emotional chord with the reader with this exceptional poem about losing a friend.
The poems are each titled and are arranged in chapter-like sections by topics such as School Stuff, About the Family, Home and Away, and Mysteries. The poems in each chapter relate to the chapter headings. In the chapter, School Stuff, poems such as School Lunch, Arithmetrick, and Reading and Writing are organized under the chapter topic. Essentially, a child could choose what topic they would like to read and enjoy, and later come back to the book for more reading. An added feature of the book is an index, which is arranged in alphabetical order. The illustrations are simple pencil vintage-style drawings, with plenty of detail to enjoy. They are symbolic of what each poem is about. In My Papa, White captures many of the elements from the poem in her illustrations. The illustrations are presented in hues of blue, gray, and black, and are a great component of the book.
C. HIGHLIGHT POEM
An excerpt from And We Call It Home:
Home is where the you that’s truly you lives.
It’s where the music of your heart is played.
Home is where you go and what you know gives
You shelter when you’re lonely or afraid.
And when the skies turn dark and bad times chase you,
And all the gates are locked and shades are drawn,
There’s a place where someone will embrace you,
And keep you safe until a kinder dawn.
And we call it home.
For a poetry break, have students read the poem silently. Then, allow them to paint, pencil draw, or color the part of their house that makes them feel that they are truly at home. The teacher or librarian can present their own drawing or picture presentation to help students think of interesting or unique parts of their home.
Example: The part of my home that makes me feel truly at home is my sofa, with my family and dogs sitting around me, and we are watching a movie together for the first time. We are all safe together and this is when I am truly at home.
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