tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68940483675541486022024-03-12T20:32:23.859-07:00Ode to the YA Readers...Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-86911796123549633542011-04-21T08:44:00.001-07:002011-04-21T19:53:44.568-07:00Poetry by Kids: Salting the Ocean<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkYXzb4rKTU/TbCw7qyEouI/AAAAAAAAAJk/o7DD-KtNQ8g/s1600/salting%2Bthe%2Bocean.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 147px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkYXzb4rKTU/TbCw7qyEouI/AAAAAAAAAJk/o7DD-KtNQ8g/s400/salting%2Bthe%2Bocean.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598168875964605154" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Shihab Nye, N, & Bryan, A. (2000). Salting the ocean: 100 poems by young poets. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN: 0688161936.<br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Nye presents an anthology of poems collected from school children across the country. These poems are categorized into four groups, "My Shadow Is an Ant's Night: The Self and the Inner World; Think How Many Stories Are in Your Shirt: Where we Live; My Grandma Squashes Roaches with Her Hand: Anybody's Family; Silence Is Like a Tractor Moving the Whole World: The Wide Imagination." The text also contains an "Afterword; Acknowledgements; Suggestions for Further Reading; Index to 100 Poems and an Index to 100 Poets." The poems in this text are well written and engaging due to their expressive nature on life, sadness, wonder, curiosity, etc. Readers will find a poem they can connect with since these are written by children ages six through eighteen using poetry as their creative forum. Nye's format is easy to follow and the few illustrations found throughout the book compliment each poetry section. Teacher's will value the creativity presented by these young poets and it would be a wonderful addition to any classroom's library. <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Words,<br />jumbled<br />in my mind.<br />Traffic jams<br />of sentences,<br />swirling,<br />and bubbling,<br />in the cauldron of my mind.<br />All I can do<br />is think<br />and write.<br />Breath deeply,<br />and let your feelings flow<br />onto the page.<br />Let your mind fill<br />with ideas.<br />Let them bolt<br />through your pencil,<br />crashing<br />with enormous<br />energy<br />onto your paper.<br />Poetry<br />has her own way of living.<br />Let her live<br />in peace."<br /><br />-Rachel M. Reynolds<br /><br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />I would read this poem aloud to the students and have them pay special attention to the rhythm. I would also point out specific words in the poem (traffic jams, swirling, bubbling, bolt, etc.) and ask the students what do they think these words mean in the poem. At the end of the discussion, I would have the students journal what poetry means to them and encourage then to use a thesaurus while writing their entry.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-89711415020890192452011-04-21T08:43:00.002-07:002011-04-21T21:19:48.304-07:00Janeczko Collection: Blushing: Expressions of Love in Poems & Letters<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AwMtpyrULt8/TbCvEdyUTZI/AAAAAAAAAJU/JdoK1XQ4F0M/s1600/Blushing%2BExpressions%2Bof%2Blove.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AwMtpyrULt8/TbCvEdyUTZI/AAAAAAAAAJU/JdoK1XQ4F0M/s320/Blushing%2BExpressions%2Bof%2Blove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598166828071538066" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Janeczko, P. B. (2004). Blushing: expressions of love in poems & letters. New York, NY: Orchard Books. ISBN: 0439530563.<br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Janeczko presents a wonderful poetry collection paying tribute the many stages of love. Divided into five sections, "The Beginning of Love; In Love; Alone in Love; The End of Love and Remembering Love." Readers are treated to the poetry works of Shakespeare, Donne, Dickinson, Angelou and many more famous poets throughout the text that are sure to attract readers of all ages. The format of the text is easy to follow and the touches of pink give this text a romantic appeal. Janeczko provided an excellent combination of classic poems and new poems to please any reader. Readers will be able to make a connection with many poems presented in this book and reminisce back to the times when he or she had a crush, fell in love, and broke up. This book would be a nice addition to any romantics collection.<br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Deep in Love"<br />Bhavabhuti<br /><br />Deep in love<br />cheek leaning on cheek we talked<br />of whatever came to our minds<br />just as it came<br />slowly<br />with our arms twined<br />tightly around us<br />and the hours passed and we<br />did not know it<br />still talking when<br />the night had gone<br /><br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />This is a delightful poem to read to older high school students and have them journal a poem about a first crush or first love they have experienced. I would instruct the students to close their eyes an imagine back to this time and pick a specific memory relating to their experience (weather, smells, scenery, etc.) and to write a poem expressing their feelings in association to this memory.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-77854431482293890572011-04-21T08:43:00.001-07:002011-04-21T21:21:39.837-07:00Poetry and FictionCitation:<br /><br />Ruddell, D, & Rankin, J. (2009). A whiff of pine, a hint of skunk: a forest of poems. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry. ISBN: 9781416942115.<br /><br />Review:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OxeiKhctROA/TbCysoj5QCI/AAAAAAAAAJs/yU1wf_o0gg8/s1600/Whiff_of_Pine%252C_Hint_of_Skunk.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OxeiKhctROA/TbCysoj5QCI/AAAAAAAAAJs/yU1wf_o0gg8/s320/Whiff_of_Pine%252C_Hint_of_Skunk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598170816693485602" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is a fun and engaging poetry book of animals in their native habitat. There are twenty-two poems presented in this book and the illustrations that accompany the poems are vibrant and compliment each of the poems presented. Ruddell's poetic word play is wonderfully demonstrated in the poems and this will keep the reader engaged. There is a nice combination of rhythm and rhyming throughout the text. Readers will enjoy learning about the animals featured in this book (beaver, snail, woodpecker, badger, squirrel, turkey, etc.) and the humor element make this book very delightful. A great book to have in a classroom's collection! Teachers will value the science element which can lead to fun and engaging poetry breaks! <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"NOBODY'S PET"<br />A Word to the Wise from a Red Fox<br /><br />"I will never take walks<br />in the park wearing socks<br />like some spoiled little dog<br />on a leash--I'm a fox.<br /><br />I won't come when you call,<br />I won't jump for the ball,<br />I won't wait for your step<br />like a lump in the hall.<br /><br />You can tell me to stay<br />if you want to, but hey--<br />there's no way in the world<br />that I'll ever obey.<br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />This is a great poem to use to add humor and fun to a science lesson about animals! I would read this poem to the students and have the student pay special attention to the rhythm of the poem. I would divide the class into three groups and have each group retell the poem to the class using the appropriate body language in addition to the rhythm. Another fun activity would be to have the students journal a poem about animals and add humor and illustrations to their story.<br /><br />Fiction Connection:<br /><br />Ezra, D. (2010). Interrupting chicken. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763641689.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c70SftoS79c/TbC2BPnuqwI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/upNL2_aodn0/s1600/Interrupting%2BChicken.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c70SftoS79c/TbC2BPnuqwI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/upNL2_aodn0/s320/Interrupting%2BChicken.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598174469310819074" /></a><br /><br />Summary:<br /><br />This is a humorous story about a Little Red Chicken whom insists her Papa read her a bedtime story. However, the Little Red Chicken constantly interrupts her Papa at the beginning of each story! Readers will enjoy the humor and the illustrations presented throughout the story! Cute book! <br /><br /><br />Connection to Poetry:<br />Ezra's book "Interrupting Chicken," a Caldecott 2011 honor book, would be a great fiction book to present to the class because this books contains animals, humor and encourages use of imagination to create a story. These elements tie into the poetry story of "A Wiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: a Forest of Poems" by Deborah Ruddell and illustrated by Joan Rankin because both books have wonderful illustrations, animals and humor. Both books have fun word play and rhythm throughout their stories.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-92144585817222897442011-04-07T12:35:00.000-07:002011-04-07T19:02:59.151-07:00Sidman Poetry: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the NightCitation:<br /><br />Sidman, J. (2010). Dark emperor and other poems of the night. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Illustrated by Rick Allen. ISBN:9780547152288<br /><br /><br />Review:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXRAZNa2DJw/TZ4TutJLnwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/1qONHwgSbuA/s1600/Dark%2Bemperor.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXRAZNa2DJw/TZ4TutJLnwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/1qONHwgSbuA/s320/Dark%2Bemperor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592929480353750786" /></a><br /><br />Sidman presents a wonderful poetry book involving nature. The text contains twelve entries, "Welcome to the Night; Snail at Moonrise; Love Poems of the Primrose Moth; Dark Emperor; Oak after Dark; Night-Spider's Advance; I am a Baby Porcupette; Cricket Speaks; The Mushrooms Come; Ballad of the Wandering Eft; Bat Wraps Up; Moon's Lament." The text ends with a glossary. There are many poetic forms found in this book such as verse, concrete, lyrical and rhymes. Each poem's format is easy to follow and is accompanied with interesting information on the poem's subject. The print illustrations are full of detail and give the reader a front row view of a nighttime creature's world . Allen's illustrations are stunning and provide life to the poems. Teachers will appreciate the science element and this gives the opportunity to provide fun and engaging poetry breaks! <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"I Am a Baby Porcupette"<br /><br />I am a baby porcupette.<br />My paws are small; my nose is wet.<br />And as I nurse against my mom,<br />we mew and coo a soft duet.<br /><br />I am a baby porcupette.<br />I cannot climb up branches yet.<br />While Mom sleeps in the trees, I curl<br />beneath a log till sun has set.<br /><br />I am a baby porcupette.<br />I nibble in the nighttime wet:<br />a sprig of leaves, a tuft of grass,<br />in hidden spots I won't forget.<br /><br />I am a baby porcupette.<br />My fur is soft; my eyes are jet.<br />But I can deal with any threat:<br />I raise my quills<br /> and pirouette.<br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />I really like the science element in this poem! I would use a porcupette puppet or even a flannel board to re-tell this poem to children. I would ask children to draw a porcupette and as a group create a habitat similar to the poem's for their porcupette to live in. Another activity would be to have children journal a poem about an animal that they have observed in the zoo or one they live with (cat, dog, hamster, bird, etc.).Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-45394256247952730052011-04-07T12:29:00.000-07:002011-04-07T19:03:43.319-07:00Hopkins Award Poetry: JazzCitation:<br /><br />Myers, W.D. (2006). Jazz. New York, NY: Holiday House. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. ISBN: 0823415457.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkxhpayP0L8/TZ4R3lnRCGI/AAAAAAAAAJE/lLo-7IGPSng/s1600/Jazz.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xkxhpayP0L8/TZ4R3lnRCGI/AAAAAAAAAJE/lLo-7IGPSng/s320/Jazz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592927433928018018" /></a><br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Myers presents a wonderfully illustrated book on the journey of "Jazz". The text includes an introduction, fifteen poems, glossary of jazz terms and a jazz time line. Each poem's format is easy to follow and the combination of word play with the colorful illustrations make this book a fun read! The reader will find the glossary of jazz terms very helpful while reading the poems because one is able to understand the terminology used. The illustrations compliment the accompanying poem and help bring the poem to life. Teachers will appreciate the historical information about jazz throughout the text. Children will enjoy the rhythm that each poem reflects and appreciate how music can be brought to life through poetry. Fun book! <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Bass"<br /><br />Thum, thum, thum, and<br />thumming<br />I feel the ocean rhythm<br />coming<br />Thum, thum, thum, and <br />thumming<br />I feel the midnight passion humming.<br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />This poem has wonderful rhythm and I would have children mimic the rhythm using different musical instruments (drums, tamborines, and rubberbands). This will allow children to experiment with a poem's rhythm using musical instruments, thus understanding how music can be used to accompany and bring life to a poem.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-21374026820642688222011-04-07T12:24:00.000-07:002011-04-07T19:04:24.531-07:00Performance Poetry: Poetry Out LoudCitation:<br /><br />Rubin, R.A. (Ed.). (1993). Poetry out loud. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books. ISBN: 1565120302.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh6lm5HrE6w/TZ4QbBQyFkI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Gew94TCMl00/s1600/Poetry%2Bout%2Bloud%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh6lm5HrE6w/TZ4QbBQyFkI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Gew94TCMl00/s320/Poetry%2Bout%2Bloud%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592925843622073922" /></a><br /><br />Review:<br /><br />This book contains over ninety poems from various poets. The poems are put into seven categories, "Poems of Love and Wreckage; Light Verse and Poems that Tell Stories; Poems of Animals and the Natural World; Poems of Contradiction and Opposition; Poems of Vision; Poems of Alienation; Art, Poetry, and the Making Thereof." The end of the text contains an index on the poems, first lines and authors. The poetic formats found in this book are limericks, ballads, raps, verse, sonnets, satires and free verse. Any reader will find some favorites in this book. An interesting note...each poem has an accompanying entry that will assist the reader on their body language while reading the poem aloud. You will also find historical information regarding the poetic form and subject matter.<br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"The Sniffle"<br />By Ogden Nash<br /><br />In spite of her sniffle,<br />Isabel's chiffle.<br />Some girls with a sniffle<br />Would be weepy and tiffle;<br />They would look awful,<br />Like a rained-on waffle,<br />But Isabel's chiffle<br />In spite of her sniffle.<br />Her nose is more red<br />With a cold in her head,<br />But then, to be sure,<br />Her eyes are bluer.<br />Some girls with a sniffle,<br />Their tempers are uffle,<br />But when Isabel's snivelly<br />She's snivelly civilly,<br />And when she is snuffly<br />She's perfectly luffly.<br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />I chose this poem due to the vocabulary and rhyming elements. I would read this poem to the students demonstrating the appropriate body language. I would have the students look up the rhyming words and then have each row say a verse back to me demonstrating the approriate body language. I am hoping to achieve a "wave" response from each row. Another activity would be to have the students identify the tumbling format that was used in this poem and identify the correct use of pauses for the listener to comprehend the humor element.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-68198647573427229902011-03-24T08:49:00.000-07:002011-03-24T20:53:16.405-07:00Biographical Poetry: The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sHEnHtZEXw/TYtu6vMkQEI/AAAAAAAAAIc/ln3rcc2XIA8/s1600/Poet%2Bslave%2Bof%2Bcuba.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sHEnHtZEXw/TYtu6vMkQEI/AAAAAAAAAIc/ln3rcc2XIA8/s200/Poet%2Bslave%2Bof%2Bcuba.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587681718063874114" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Engle, M. (2006). The poet slave of cuba: a biography of juan francisco manzano. New York, NY: Henry Holt. Illustrator: Sean Qualls. ISBN: 9780805077063. <br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Engle presents an emotional poetic verse biography of a Cuban slave named Juan Francisco Manzano. Readers will become engaged in Juan's story and feel empathy for the cruelty he experienced as a slave. Readers will also admire Juan's ability to find comfort in poetry during his life experiences...both positive and negative. Engle's character presentation allows the reader to connect with the story and one is able to distinguish each character by the rhythm of the verses. A moving story and the illustrations help the reader to visualize the story. The end of the book contains an historical note so the readers will be able to read more about Juan Francisco Manzano. Engaging book and recommended for older teens. <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Juan"<br /><br />These rhymes are mine<br />mine alone<br />never memorized<br />or copied<br />in any way<br /><br />Rhymes about<br />soaring in spirit<br />a spark imprisoned<br />bursting it bonds<br />of clay<br /><br />Rhymes about feeling delight<br />wrapped in love<br />alive<br />and able<br />to pray<br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />This is a great example of showing teens how creating individual rhymes about feelings can be written in a poetic form. I would instruct students to journal a rhyme from their feelings and share with the others if so desired. I would also inquire if students could share any other examples of rhymes that were motivated by emotion. This will help students explore rhymes, rhythms and poetry!Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-41356541315778302482011-03-24T08:47:00.000-07:002011-03-24T20:50:49.659-07:00Social Studies Poetry: I Never Saw Another Butterfly<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDiXimEo5nc/TYtxCakFSyI/AAAAAAAAAIk/z7FxJla0IJ0/s1600/I%2Bnever%2Bsaw%2Banother%2Bbutterfly.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 137px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDiXimEo5nc/TYtxCakFSyI/AAAAAAAAAIk/z7FxJla0IJ0/s200/I%2Bnever%2Bsaw%2Banother%2Bbutterfly.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587684048987573026" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Volavkava, Hana. (1978). I never saw another butterfly: children's drawings and poems from Terezín concentration camp 1942-1944. New York, NY: Schocken Books. ISBN: 0805205985. <br /><br />Review:<br /><br />This is a book that contains drawings and poems from the children of the Terezín Concentration Camp during the years of 1942-1944. The poems give the reader a first hand observation of experiencing the Holocaust through the eyes of the children victims. While the poems and drawings are expressive about the human atrocities they witness and experienced, I found a delicate beauty present when some of the poems focused on the beauty of nature from a child's perspective. The book finishes with acknowledging the poets and illustrators by giving the reader a brief synopsis of their lives. Unfortunately many of these children perished in the Holocaust and due to this subject matter I would only recommend this book for older teens. This book would be a great addition for a social studies curriculum in an educational setting and should be made available in both public and school libraries. <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"The Butterfly"<br /><br />The last, the very last,<br />So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.<br /> Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing<br /> against a white stone...<br /><br />Such, such a yellow<br />Is carried lightly 'way up high<br />It went away I'm sure because it wished to<br /> kiss the world goodbye.<br /><br />For seven weeks I've lived in here,<br />Penned up inside this ghetto<br />But I found my people here.<br />The dandelions call to me<br />And the white chestnut candles in the court.<br />Only I never saw another butterfly.<br /><br />That butterfly was the last one.<br />Butterflies don't live in here,<br /> In the ghetto.<br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />This was a very captivating poem and was selected due to the artistic tones and subject matter. I would instruct students (high school) to listen to the word and reflect in their journals what they feel the author's message was. Also this is a good way to have students journal about any hardships they may have experienced due to their religious beliefs, ethnicity, economic status, etc. Another great activity would be to have students write their feelings in a poetic shape of a butterfly.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-78076104304240419482011-03-24T08:45:00.000-07:002011-03-24T21:03:16.723-07:00Science Poetry: The Tree that Time BuiltCitation:<br /><br />Hoberman, M, & Winston, L. (2009). The tree that time built: a celebration of nature, science, and imagination. Napperville, IL: Sourcebooks, Inc. Illustrations by Barbara Fortin. ISBN: 9781402225178. <br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Hoberman and Winston created a wonderful anthology inspired by the works of Charles Darwin. The poems in this text are spread out into nine sections that compliment nature and science. These sections are titled, "Oh, Fields of Wonder, The Sea is Our Mother, Prehistoric Praise, Think Like a Tree, Meditations of a Tortoise, Some Primal Termite, Everything that Lives Wants to Fly, I am the Family Face and Hurt No Living Thing." The poems that are included display many poetic form such as verse, concrete, shape, haiku, etc. The poems presented have good rhythm and rhyming. Some poems have accompanying footnotes that provide additional insight on the subject and creator of the poem. The book also includes a glossary, short biographies of the poets and a CD where you are given the opportunity to hear some of the poems read aloud. This book was an engaging fast read and would compliment science curriculums in an educational setting. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQWkY5NCCdM/TYtyyM9PX6I/AAAAAAAAAI0/QeI26M_sSpA/s1600/The%2Btree%2Bthat%2Btime%2Bbuilt.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQWkY5NCCdM/TYtyyM9PX6I/AAAAAAAAAI0/QeI26M_sSpA/s320/The%2Btree%2Bthat%2Btime%2Bbuilt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587685969480343458" /></a><br /><br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Frog"<br /><br />Pollywiggle Wet skin<br />Pollywog Cold blood<br />Tadpole Squats in<br />Bullfrog Mucky mud<br />Leaps on Leaps on<br />Long legs Long legs<br />Jug-o-rum Jug-o-rum<br />Jelly eggs Jelly eggs<br />Sticky tongue Laid in<br />Trick flies Wet bog...<br />Spied by Pollywiggle<br />Flicker eyes Pollywog.<br /><br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br />This poem has wonderful rhythm and really helps to reinforce the frog species for a science lesson. I would have children close their eyes and visualize the words of the poem. In addition, I would instruct the children to draw what they visualized in their journals.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-12115847724901736242011-03-06T17:25:00.000-08:002011-03-07T21:34:41.350-08:002011 Poetry Book: "Hurricane Dancers"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqcCbEM0Pck/TXWtlBJBmII/AAAAAAAAAIQ/rxTyLfkD5UU/s1600/Hurricane%2BDancers.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqcCbEM0Pck/TXWtlBJBmII/AAAAAAAAAIQ/rxTyLfkD5UU/s200/Hurricane%2BDancers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581558164668651650" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Engle, M. (2011). Hurricane dancers: the first Caribbean pirate shipwreck. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co. ISBN: 9780805092400. <br /><br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Margarita Engle wrote a very high quality tale of a Spanish pirate named Bernardo de Talavera, his slave named Quebrado and a hostage named Alonso de Ojeda. All three were left to swim for shore when a hurricane destroyed their ship. The slave, Quebrado, was a very smart young man who spoke two languages (Taino and Spanish) and this knowledge ultimatly helped to save his life when he found a Ciboney Indian tribe on this new found island. The pirate, Bernardo de Talavera, and his hostage, Alonso de Ojeda, were not so fortunate because they did not speak nor understand the language of the island natives. Ultimately, Quebrado decides the fate of these two men by warning the island natives about the dangers these two men pose. Quebrado befriends a Ciboney fisherman named Narido and is captivated by the beauty of a young Ciboney woman named Caucubu. The story takes some twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged. Engle did a good presentation of poetic free verse for each of her characters and the reader will be able to recognize the tone and rhythm of each character while reading their verses. An interesting aspect of the story is the historical setting which is sure to attract history enthusiasts of any age. Great book and compelling story that should be in every library’s collection!<br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Quebrado"<br /><br />The hurricane<br />falls silent.<br /><br />We step out of the cave,<br />and find masses<br />of writhing sea things<br />that look like snakes,<br />moons, flowers<br />and stars....<br /><br />The Woman of the Wind<br />taught all these creatures<br />how to fly.<br /><br />What will the hurricane<br />teach me?<br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />This is a great poem to introduce children to the power of mother nature and how one can turn a weather event into poetic form. I would ask children to journal a weather event they experienced or viewed on a television and write a short poetic verse reflecting the power of such an event.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-14185004152427483262011-03-06T17:24:00.000-08:002011-03-07T20:13:01.646-08:00Verse Novel: "Love that Dog"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQU3VK1MRKs/TXWIZP7We9I/AAAAAAAAAIA/bjgKQPKZ9iY/s1600/love%2Bthat%2Bdog.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQU3VK1MRKs/TXWIZP7We9I/AAAAAAAAAIA/bjgKQPKZ9iY/s200/love%2Bthat%2Bdog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581517280549174226" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Creech, S. (2001). Love that dog. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN: 0060292873<br /><br />Review:<br /><br />This is a wonderful story of a boy named Jack who is very reluctant to write poems in a journal for class. With much encouragement from his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, Jack begins to make poetic connections with real-life experiences. When Jack listens to Ms. Stretchberry read poems by Walter Dean Myers, his attempts at writing poetry take on new life and begin to shine in his journal. Especially touching was the experience Jack wrote about his dog named Sky. Creech is able to connect with readers by presenting Jack's story in short free-verse poetry which will keep the reader engaged during Jack's story and he or she might even shed a tear. The book's format is easy to follow and Jack's journal entries are dated which gives the reader a sense of timeline that is beneficial to the story. Creech concludes her book with a short segment featuring the poems Jack's teacher read throughout the story. A must have book for anyone who may have a reluctant reader and for boys in general. <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"OCTOBER 24"<br /><br /><em>Blue car, blue car, shining bright<br />in the darkness of the night:<br />who could see you speeding by<br />like a comet in the sky?<br /><br />I could see you in the night,<br />blue car, blue car, shining bright.<br />I could see you speeding by<br />like a comet in the sky.</em><br /><br />Introducing the poem:<br />I picked this poem because I really like how Jack took another poem's rhythm and proceeded to write the above excerpt in the "beat-beat-beating" rhythm. I would discuss and read poems of specfic rhythms and have children attempt to write or re-write one of their poems in a specific rhythm. This will be a great way to introduce how poetic rhythms can really add a new twist to the words of a poem.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-78036894134034444242011-03-06T17:21:00.000-08:002011-03-07T20:07:36.845-08:00Poetic Form: "THE CUCKOO’S HAIKU"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Olp2xEku6z4/TXWJjvaD7XI/AAAAAAAAAII/EWgd-z5OOEM/s1600/Cuckoo%2527s%2BHaiku.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Olp2xEku6z4/TXWJjvaD7XI/AAAAAAAAAII/EWgd-z5OOEM/s200/Cuckoo%2527s%2BHaiku.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581518560309800306" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Rosen, M. (2009). The cuckoo's haiku: and other birding poems. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick. Illustrated by Stan Fellows. ISBN: 9780763630492<br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Rosen presents wonderful haiku and other poems for more than twenty American birds. The book's layout is easy to follow and is written in three seasons (spring, summer and autumn). The illustrations are beautifully done in water color and bring a burst of color to the accompanying haiku. Readers will enjoy the vibrant colors on each of the bird's pages. Rosen adds insightful information in cursive about the pictured bird which also includes the bird's song. Each bird's song is written so that the reader will understand the rhythm and repetition of the song, which is an added benefit for the reader. The text ends with a directory of each bird that was pictured and facts about their heritage, life, eating habits, etc. This is a great book and will be a prized entry into any library's collection!<br /><br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"European Starling"<br /><br />masking the daylight<br />one wheeling black star explodes<br />thousands of starlings<br /><br /><br />Introducing the Poem:<br /><br />This is a nice poem to use to introduce children to how animal migration can be written in a poetic form. I would encourage children to write in their journals about certain animals they only see during specific seasons and then use this information and write a poem.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-61359137082231536422011-02-16T17:27:00.000-08:002011-02-17T21:08:44.628-08:00Poetry Book Review: "Florian Poetry"Citation:<br /><br />Florian, Douglas. Dinothesaurus: prehistoric poems and paintings. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN:978-1-4169-7978-4<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EU3IBEs4QcE/TV386IPoAOI/AAAAAAAAAH4/bgVFi3MkwD0/s1600/Dinothesaurus.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EU3IBEs4QcE/TV386IPoAOI/AAAAAAAAAH4/bgVFi3MkwD0/s200/Dinothesaurus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574889989330174178" /></a><br /><br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Florian presents a wonderfully-illustrated conventional rhyming poetry book about eighteen dinosaurs and the prehistoric world they live in. The illustrations are made from a variety of water colors, collage, stencils and gouache that are promising to the eye. Children will enjoy Florian's combination of wordplay, rhyming and humor throughout the text. There is an added educational element throughout the text since the author included each dinosaur's name pronunciation, brief description of the dinosaur and an informative glossary that will keep science teachers and science enthusiasts smiling. This is a fun rhyming poetry book and is sure to keep the reader engaged to the very end!<br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Stegoceras"<br /><em>steg</em>-OSS-<em>er-us (roof horn</em>)<br /><br />Thick head. Brick head. Hard head, too.<br />Round head. Mound head. Odd head, you.<br />Bone head. Stone head. Head like a dome.<br />Bash head. Smash head. Then <em>head</em> home.<br /><br />Introducing the poem:<br /><br />I would introduce this poem to school-age children so they can see how one specific anatomy part of a dinosaur, animal, mammal, reptile, etc. could be used to make a rhyming poem. I would also encourage students to use a thesaurus to enrich the vocabulary portion of their poem.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-17340406909537945172011-02-16T17:26:00.000-08:002011-02-17T21:12:31.301-08:00Poetry Book Review: "NCTE Award Poetry"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VET2arluB5s/TV36KZ3Yi2I/AAAAAAAAAHw/YnMzWI-Bjzk/s1600/A%2BJar%2Bof%2Btiny%2Bstars.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VET2arluB5s/TV36KZ3Yi2I/AAAAAAAAAHw/YnMzWI-Bjzk/s320/A%2BJar%2Bof%2Btiny%2Bstars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574886970403359586" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Cullinan, Bernice. A jar of tiny stars: poems by ncte award-winning poets. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong Boyds Mills Press, 1996. Illustrations by Andi MacLeod. Portraits by Marc Nadel. ISBN: 978-1-5639-7087-0<br /><br /><br /><br />Review:<br /><br />This is an award-winning poetry anthology book containing works from David McCord, Aileen Fisher, Karla Kuskin, Myra Cohn Livingston, Eve Merriam, John Ciardi, Lilian Moore, Arnold Adoff, Valerie Worth and Barbara Esbensen. Each of the selected poets was nominated by the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English Award) and their poems were chosen by more than 3,000 school children across the United States. Only five poems were selected for each poet and displayed in black and white texts with accompanying black and white illustrations. The poems' topics included animals, feelings, insects, food, an important historical figure, weather and objects. Each of the poems was easy to understand and the verse text format was easy to follow. Many poems provided humor, good rhythm and repetition to the reader that would make one want to say them out loud! The readers will value the brief biography of the poets in the back of the book but more so the individual quotes each poet shared about poetry before you read his or her works. This is a very kid-friendly poetry book and should be in every classroom! <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"The Meal" by Karla Kuskin<br /><br />Timothy Tompkins had turnips and tea.<br />The turnips were tiny.<br />He ate at least three.<br />And then, for dessert,<br />He had onions and ice.<br />He liked that so much<br />That he ordered it twice.<br />He had two cups of ketchup,<br />A prune, and a pickle.<br />"Delicious," said Timothy.<br />"Well worth a nickle."<br />He folded his napkin<br />And hastened to add,<br />"It's one of the loveliest breakfasts I've had."<br /><br />Introducing to Poem:<br /><br />This is a wonderful poem to introduce children to rhyme, rhythm, repetition and vocabulary! I feel that children will be drawn to the humor and rhythm of this poem. I would expect this poem to encourage children to sing or chant and enlighten them to use their imaginations when writing poems.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-33911902667363411322011-02-16T17:24:00.000-08:002011-02-17T21:09:32.163-08:00Poetry Book Review: "Multicultural Poetry"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25_aau7Qnro/TV3mmMWKAeI/AAAAAAAAAHg/z1uKwrn3FDE/s1600/Dizzy%2Bin%2Byour%2Beyes.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25_aau7Qnro/TV3mmMWKAeI/AAAAAAAAAHg/z1uKwrn3FDE/s320/Dizzy%2Bin%2Byour%2Beyes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574865457578115554" /></a><br />Citation:<br /><br />Mora, Pat. Dizzy in your eyes: poems about love. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2010. ISBN:978-0-375-84375-4<br /><br />Review:<br /><br />Mora presents a wonderful collection of poems that focus on the life experiences of teenagers, i.e. crushes, love, breakups, divorces, etc. Mora's poems are written in many poetic forms such as free verse, blank verse, sonnets, haiku, letter and pantoum form to name a few. Each poem has an introduction of the type of poetic form on the previous page for the reader. This is a nice touch especially for beginner poetry readers to understand the different poetic forms and how to read the poem in the appropriate rhythm. The text format and language was easy to follow throughout the book due to each poem's introduction. The reader will be able to connect with many of the poems since they relate to life experiences. <br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />"Dumped"<br /><br />I can't believe you dumped me.<br />For months, I felt so happy inside.<br />What a catastrophe!<br />Now I feel ugly and just want to hide.<br /><br />All those months, I felt so happy inside.<br />Was everything you said untrue?<br />Now I just want to hide<br />and try to forget I loved you. Still do.<br />I ache at the mean rumors I've heard.<br /><br />"Let's just be friends." Haunting words.<br />Me, a lump you dumped, casually.<br />How I ache at the rumors I've heard.<br />My heart broke, my private catastrophe.<br /><br />Introducing the poem:<br /><br />I feel this is a great example of a pantoum poem to teenagers who can relate to the realism of how happy and difficult romantic relationships can be. For example, I would ask the class after introducing them to this poem to journal an experience of having a crush or romantic relationship and then demonstrate how the journal entry could be put into a pantoum, sonnet or letter poetry.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-80482427613238932672011-02-02T15:32:00.000-08:002011-02-03T19:25:03.858-08:00Poetry Book Review: "African American Poetry"<strong>Citation:</strong><br />Hughes, Langston. My people. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009. Illustrator: Charles R. Smith Jr. ISBN: 978-1-4169-3540-7<br /><br /><strong>Review:</strong><br /><br />This book is a short poem written by Langston Hughes honoring African Americans. The poem is accompanied by photographs. These photographs accented the text and gave a perfect visual of how to connect Langston's poem with nature and black people. <br /><br /><strong>Excerpt:</strong><br /><br />"My People"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/TUtsy0Z3k5I/AAAAAAAAAHY/OLz1qpMvT3k/s1600/My%2Bpeople.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/TUtsy0Z3k5I/AAAAAAAAAHY/OLz1qpMvT3k/s320/My%2Bpeople.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569664984490152850" /></a><br /><br />The night<br />is<br />beautiful,<br />so<br />the<br />faces <br />of<br />my<br />people.<br />The stars<br />are<br />beautiful,<br />so<br />the<br />eyes<br />of<br />my<br />people.<br />Beautiful,<br />also,<br />is the<br />sun.<br />Beautiful,<br />also,<br />are<br />the<br />souls<br />of<br />my<br />people.<br /><br /><strong>Introducing the Poem:</strong><br />The above poem is an excellent beginning for talking to older children about how poetry can be used to beautifully describe one's heritage and how photographs instead of drawings can accompany text.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-80019393350867390642011-02-02T15:21:00.000-08:002011-02-03T19:26:46.905-08:00Poetry Book Review: "Hopkins Collection"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/TUntXyF7b5I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/HlgoDkTZJXQ/s1600/City%2BI%2BLove.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/TUntXyF7b5I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/HlgoDkTZJXQ/s320/City%2BI%2BLove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569243407059742610" /></a><br /><strong>Citation:</strong><br /><br />Bennett, L, & Hall, M. 2009. City I love. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams. ISBN:978-0-8109-8327-4 <br /><br /><strong>Review:</strong><br /><br />This story is about a dog who is traveling around the world and is sharing poetic observations with the reader. Beautifully written and illustrated, the reader will be able to connect with the vibrant pictures and the text format is easy to follow. Featuring landmarks such as New York, Paris, London, Washington DC and Egypt, readers will be able to relate to the poetry connection Bennett is presenting.<br /><br /><strong>Excerpt:</strong><br /><br />"City Lights"<br /><br />Blazing lights<br />flicker<br />flash<br />glitter<br />gleam<br />twinkle<br />sparkle<br />bedazzle<br />beam<br /><br />so<br /><br />brilliantly<br />bright.<br /><br />Reasons<br />why<br />city<br />stays<br />awake<br />all<br />night.<br /><br /><strong>Introducing the Poem:</strong><br /><br />The above excerpt is a wonderful tool to show children how to visualize poetry to places they have visited. I would discuss traveling, landmarks, modes of travel and cultures with the children so they will be able to understand how poetry can be used to explain their adventures.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-47909579254925147292011-02-02T15:11:00.000-08:002011-02-03T19:31:34.935-08:00Poetry Book Review: "School Poetry"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/TUntEg8vpvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/OG2v5hnBBDo/s1600/Brimstone%2BJournals.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/TUntEg8vpvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/OG2v5hnBBDo/s320/Brimstone%2BJournals.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569243076040304370" /></a><br /><strong>Citation:</strong><br /><br />Koertge,Ron. The Brimstone Journals. 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2001. ISBN:0-7636-1302-9 <br /><br /><br /><strong>Review:</strong><br /><br />Koertge presented a well-written free-verse poetry novel that details the lives of fifteen high school students, who are in the Branston High School class of 2001. Each student shares excerpts of their lives and the many problems that they face such as peer pressure, depression, eating disorders, violence and drugs. For example, one student named Boyd is very hostile to the majority of his fellow peers and decides to make a "hit list". Readers will find this novel engaging and will want to keep reading to find out the conclusion. The text format is easy to follow and Koertge's writing will allow the reader to easily visualize the story while reading.<br /><br /><strong>Excerpt:</strong> <br /><br />"Boyd"<br /><br />We make plans, we download from that<br />super secret website, we draw diagrams,<br />or go on a weapons recon, and Mike just<br />get calmer.<br /><br />Not me. I keep both my fists in my pockets<br />and nod. Otherwise my voice, my hands,<br />everything shakes.<br /><br />Then I look at the list: everybody who<br />ever blew me off, flipped me off,<br />or pissed me off.<br /><br />So I shake a little. It'll be worth it.<br /><br /><strong>Introducing the Poem:</strong><br /><br />I would use the above excerpt to open a discussion about violence to teenage readers. I would want the students to further evaulate and discuss what they feel the excerpt meant to them, i.e. what do they think is happening or going to happen.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-45268154380910210182011-01-25T07:24:00.000-08:002011-01-25T07:33:06.623-08:00New Requirement for my BlogAs of today 01/25/11 my blog will be used to post poetry book reviews as required by the Children and YA Poetry (LS5663) class I am taking this semester at Texas Woman's University.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-6975156920703966302009-11-23T08:28:00.001-08:002009-11-23T21:30:17.262-08:00Zombie Haiku. By Ryan Mecum<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/Sws3vc8oyCI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/-zg4MH1T7N8/s1600/zombiehaiku-cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407477065952315426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/Sws3vc8oyCI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/-zg4MH1T7N8/s320/zombiehaiku-cover.jpg" border="0" /></a>Title: Zombie Haiku<br />Author: Ryan Mecum<br />Publisher: How Books<br />Date: July 14, 2008<br />ISBN: 1600610706<br /><br /><br />Critical Analysis:<br /><br /><p>This book is a mix of poetry and journal entries that document the end of the human race due to a zombie plague. This book will be very appealing to zombie fans and those that like horror poetry. The book starts with entries from Chris Lynch who acquired this journal from a zombie’s arm he severed while trapped in an airport bathroom. Chris documents his fall from human existence into a flesh-eating zombie while the poetry haikus are from another person who documented the beginning of the zombie plague and his mental state after becoming one of them.<br /><br />Ryan Mecum wrote a nail-biting tale that will keep readers engaged to the very end! The text format was easy to follow and the illustrations complimented the narrations. The plot itself was very suspenseful and captivating, I could not put this book down until I finished it! Mecum’s twist of giving the reader a bird’s eye view of a zombie’s mental capacity would attract horror fans everywhere! The connection of poetry and horror was very interesting. Robert Kirkman, author of The Walking Dead and Marvel Zombies wrote, “Ryan Mecum has quite possibly found the only corner of entertainment not yet infected by the zombie plague--haiku--and made me wonder why it took this long, as the two seem to go together like zombies and brains” (retrieved from Amazon on November 22, 2009). Horror and dark poetry fans will eat this one up!</p><p><span style="font-size:+0;"></span>Review Excerpts:<br /><br />Amazon Editorial Review:<br /><br />"A thoroughly unique and entertaining experience. Ryan Mecum has quite possibly found the only corner of entertainment not yet infected by the zombie plague--haiku--and made me wonder why it took this long, as the two seem to go together like zombies and brains. I highly recommend it to fans of all things zombie." -- Robert Kirkman, author of The Walking Dead and Marvel Zombies. Retrieved from Amazon (accessed November 22, 2009).<br /><br />Delaney of Wisconsin wrote:<br /><br />"The Zombie Haiku embarks on a journey through a recently turned zombie, each haiku leads to another haiku, they build to tell a story. It's dark and gruesome, funny and clever, it's absolutely brilliant. I'm glad I picked it up, and I have since purchased a number of other copies for my dark and devilishly fun friends" Retrieved from Amazon (accessed November 22, 2009).<br /><br />Connections:</p><p>You can access a website devoted to this book by clicking on: <a href="http://zombiehaiku.com/">http://zombiehaiku.com/</a> (accessed November 22, 2009). This website contains information about this book and a three minute video commercial of the book itself. You can also access the author's website by clicking on: <a href="http://ryanmecum.com/">http://ryanmecum.com/</a> (accessed November 22, 2009).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-83304398734498131232009-11-23T08:27:00.002-08:002009-11-23T21:34:14.433-08:00Rapunzel's Revenge. By Shannon and Dean Hale<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SwtPKkBSmYI/AAAAAAAAAGY/KiJ1YhypH4Y/s1600/rapunzel+jacket.aspx"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407502820474788226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 80px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 116px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SwtPKkBSmYI/AAAAAAAAAGY/KiJ1YhypH4Y/s320/rapunzel+jacket.aspx" border="0" /></a>Title: Rapunzel's Revenge<br />Author: Shannon and Dean Hale<br />Illustrator: Nathan Hale<br />Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books<br />Date: August 5, 2008<br />ISBN: 159990070X<br /><br /><br />Critical Analysis:<br />This story is about a girl named Rapunzel who was taken from her biological parents by a witch named Mother Grothel. Rapunzel starts to remember her real mother and makes a startling realization when she comes face to face with her real mother who is a slave in the mines. Mother Grothel finds this out and banishes Rapunzel to live in a tree tower in the swamplands where it is impossible for her to escape until her hair grows to an extraordinary length. Later she finds that her hair can be used as a weapon against her enemies in her quest to be reunited with her real mother. Rich with humor and action sequences throughout the story, readers will be thoroughly engaged!Shannon and Dean Hale created a wonderfully fast-paced graphic novel. The reader will connect with the characters in the story and the entertaining plot. The setting takes place in the wild old west and the illustrations are a true compliment to the text. The fairy tale twist is very interesting because Rapunzel is not the damsel in distress waiting for her true prince to come save her. Tine Coleman of Booklist wrote, “This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine” (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 1)).<br /><br /><br />Review Excerpts:<br />Tina Coleman (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 1)):<br /><br />"This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine. Young Rapunzel lives a lonely life, never knowing what lies beyond the high garden walls of her mother’s royal villa until one day she climbs the wall to see what’s on the other side. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her mother’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is imprisoned in a magic tree tower. In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and care for her exceptionally long hair, and eventually she is able to escape, vowing to bring down her mother’s cruel empire. Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers. Grades 5-8" Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 22, 2009).<br /><br />Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2009):<br /><br />"In this graphic novel, Rapunzel's a spunky, hair-whip-toting cowgirl. She joins with stolen-goose rapscallion Jack to rescue her mother and end her wicked stepmother's reign. The gutsy tale is particularly well suited to its format, with illustrations mixing the familiar and offbeat. High action, sensory thrills, and the wisecracking heroes are clearly conveyed through image cropping, text placement, and facial emotional cues. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2008, Bloomsbury, 144pp, 18.99, 14.99. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 1: Outstanding, noteworthy in style, content, and/or illustration." Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 22, 2009).<br /><br />Connections:<br /><br />You can access more information about this book from the author's website by clicking on: <a href="http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_rap.html">http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_rap.html</a> (accessed November 22, 2009). This website contains classroom activities that can be used after reading this book. You can also access a reader's theater script from this website that can be used in a classroom or book discussion.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-81353164315283212252009-11-23T08:27:00.001-08:002009-11-23T19:31:26.295-08:00The Plain Janes. By Cecil Castellucci.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SwtRkKCWnuI/AAAAAAAAAGg/I7n3GDmf8ls/s1600/plain+janes+jacket.aspx"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407505459199778530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 80px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SwtRkKCWnuI/AAAAAAAAAGg/I7n3GDmf8ls/s320/plain+janes+jacket.aspx" border="0" /></a><span>Title: The Plain Janes</span><br /><span></span>Author: Cecil Castellucci<br />Illustrator: Jim Rugg<br />Publisher: Minx<br /><span>Date: May 2, 2007</span><br /><span>ISBN: 1401211151<span><br /><br /></span></span><br />Critical Analysis:<br /><br />This is a story about a girl named Jane who survived a terrorist bombing outside a café in the city in which her parents decided to move to suburbia in order to get away from such dangers. Jane who is not happy with her recent move tries her best to make do. She becomes friends with three girls named Jane, Jayne and Polly Jane who she feels are just like her…outsiders. Jane recruits her friends to move about at night expressing art under the code name of P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods) throughout the town, which is a form of therapy for her. While their pranks are harmless fun, law enforcement does not agree!<br /><br />Cecil Castellucci did a wonderful job with the plot to keep the reader engaged! The format of the text was easy to follow and the illustrations were full of detail. The reader will connect with the characters and the setting of the story which takes place in a suburban school and neighborhood. Jesse Karp of Booklist wrote, “The book has its share of stereotypes--the science geek, the psychotically overprotective mother, the irrepressible gay teen--but this is thought-provoking stuff. The art, inspired by Dan Clowes' work, is absolutely engaging” ((Booklist, Mar. 15, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 14)).<br /><br />Review Excerpts:<br /><br />Jesse Karp (Booklist, Mar. 15, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 14)):<span><br /></span><br />"For the first book in a new series aimed at teenage girls, DC comics recruited novelist Castellucci (Boy Proof, 2004, and The Queen of Cool, 2005) to write this story about outsiders who come together, calling up themes from the author's popular YA novels. Relocated to suburbia after a brush with disaster in the big city (and fueled by an urge not to be terrified of the world as a result), Jane rallies a small group of outcasts into a team of 'art terrorists,' shaking the town from its conservative complacency by putting bubbles in the city fountain and wrapping objects on the street as Christmas packages. Their activities end up rallying the local teenagers to their cause and working the adults into a dither. The book has its share of stereotypes--the science geek, the psychotically overprotective mother, the irrepressible gay teen--but this is thought-provoking stuff. The art, inspired by Dan Clowes' work, is absolutely engaging. Packaged like manga, this is a fresh, exciting use of the graphic-novel format. Category: Books for Older Readers--Fiction. 2007, DC Comics/Minx, $9.99. Starred Review" Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 22, 2009).<span><br /></span><br />Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2007):<span><br /></span><br />"In Boy Proof, Jane was injured in a terrorist attack. Now her family's moved to suburbia, where Jane forms P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art In Neighborhoods) and plans 'art attacks' while continuing correspondence with a comatose man. The graphic novel's core is Jane's struggle to see the world's beauty. Rugg's warm gray-scale scenes convey the drama, impact, and joy of unfettered expression. Category: Older Fiction. 2007, DC/Minx, 152pp, 9.99. Ages 12 to 14. Rating: 1: Outstanding, noteworthy in style, content, and/or illustration" Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 22, 2009).<br /><br />Connections:<span><br /></span><br />I was able to find a good group of discussion questions and classroom activities that would be great to use with this book. You can access this information by clicking on: <a href="http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:DvChSyqCXcsJ:www.misscecil.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/theplainjanes.doc+The+Plain+Janes+discussion+questions&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a">http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:DvChSyqCXcsJ:www.misscecil.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/theplainjanes.doc+The+Plain+Janes+discussion+questions&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a</a> (accessed November 22, 2009).<br /><br />Other books that may be of interest:<span><br /></span><br /><em>Boy Proof.</em> By Cecil Castellucci. Publisher: Candlewick Press. Date: 2005. ISBN: 0763623334.<span><br /></span><br /><em>ALT ED. </em>By Catherine Atkins. Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons. Date: 2003. ISBN: 0399238549.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-44707287942042145712009-11-09T15:25:00.002-08:002009-11-09T20:50:59.356-08:00A Hole in My Life. By Jack Gantos<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SvjtoZLWwEI/AAAAAAAAAGI/KZBIc6lHABQ/s1600-h/A+hole+in+my+Life.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402329031239974978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SvjtoZLWwEI/AAAAAAAAAGI/KZBIc6lHABQ/s320/A+hole+in+my+Life.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><span><br /></span><div>Title: A Hole in My Life.</div><div>Author: Jack Gantos</div><div>Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)</div><div>Date: August 26, 2004</div><div>ISBN: 0374430896<span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span>Critical Analysis:<br /></span>This is a moving story of Jack Gantos through his own personal narration of how his life’s path went drastically out of control by a series of events involving drug trafficking that ultimately changed his life.<br /><br />Gantos provided a heart wrenching story of how a split decision of becoming a one time drug trafficker to raise money for his college tuition threw him into the harsh realities of prison life. His story is presented in a sort of conversational style that helps the reader connect to him and gives you the “fly on the wall” perspective. His story is dark and is full of the harshness of prison life such as rape, violence and drug use. Judy Silverman of Children’s Literature wrote, “The book is well put together, and is written in a conversational style that is easy to read without talking down to the reader. Prison life is presented as the horror that it is.” This story will definitely bring home the seriousness of the consequences a youth can experience by making bad decisions. The setting takes place along the eastern seaboard aboard a ship, in the prison and in the judicial system of the state of New York. Gantos remarkably never lost sight of his dreams to attend college and become a writer. Michael Cart from Booklist wrote, “Gantos' spare narrative style and straightforward revelation of the truth have, together, a cumulative power that will capture not only a reader's attention but also empathy and imagination. This is great for every aspiring writer and also a wonderful biography for teens struggling to discover their deepest, truest selves” (Booklist, Apr. 1, 2002 (Vol. 98, No. 15)).<span><br /><br />Review Excerpts:<br /> </span>Michael Cart (Booklist, Apr. 1, 2002 (Vol. 98, No. 15)):</div><div>"Jack Gantos' riveting memoir of the 15 months he spent as a young man in federal prison for drug smuggling is more than a harrowing, scared-straight confession: it is a beautifully realized story about the making of a writer. As Gantos himself notes: 'It [prison] is where I went from thinking about becoming a writer, to writing.' His examination of the process--including his unsparing portrayal of his fears, failings, and false starts--is brilliant and breathtaking in its candor and authenticity. Particularly fascinating is his generous use of literary allusions to everything from Baudelaire to Billy Budd, which subtly yet richly dramatize how he evolved from a reader who became a character in the books he was reading to a writer and a character in his own life story. Gantos' spare narrative style and straightforward revelation of the truth have, together, a cumulative power that will capture not only a reader's attention but also empathy and imagination. This is great for every aspiring writer and also a wonderful biography for teens struggling to discover their deepest, truest selves. Category: Books for Middle Readers--Nonfiction. 2002, Farrar, $16. Gr. 8-up. Starred Review" Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 09, 2009).<span><br /><br />Judy Silverman (Children's Literature):</span></div><div><span></span>"Jack Gantos, widely read author of the 'Rotten Ralph' series of picture books and the Joey Pigza books, among others, did not become an author easily. He feels that he always wanted to write, and that he would become a famous author, but as a young man he never quite got around to putting his words on paper. His family moved around a lot, he didn't feel connected to anyone, and he didn't really care for school. Everything changed in 1971, when he made a really bad choice. For $10,000 (what seemed like a fortune) he agreed to help sail a ship from the Virgin Islands to New York City. An easy job, but the ship was loaded with hashish. Gantos didn't realize that Federal agents had been tracking them nearly all the way. At the age of twenty, he was sent to prison for six years. At first he didn't see any way to change his ways or his life-style, nor did he see anything that would give him reason to change. But he did want to finish high school, and was fortunate in finding a teacher who encouraged him and convinced him that the only way one becomes a writer is by writing, and the only way for a writer to get his work published is to write well. It was not an easy life that Gantos had chosen, but he was determined to succeed, and eventually he did. The book is well put together, and is written in a conversational style that is easy to read without talking down to the reader. Prison life is presented as the horror that it is. An encouraging look at a terrible part of life, and how this remarkable young man was capable of overcoming disadvantages and becoming what he had always wanted to be--a writer. 2002, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16.00. Ages 12 to 16." Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 09, 2009).<span><br /><br />Awards:<br /></span>Michael L Printz Award, 2003.</div><div>Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2003.</div><div>Thumbs Up! Award, 2003.<span><br /><br />Connections:<br /></span>You can access this author's website by clicking on: <a href="http://www.jackgantos.com/">http://www.jackgantos.com/</a> (accessed on November 9, 2009). At this website you will be able to access a teacher's guide for this book that includes good discussion activities.</div></div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-3403684755398009232009-11-09T15:25:00.001-08:002009-11-09T21:13:29.509-08:00A Northern Light. By Jennifer Donnelly<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/Svimw_K3ghI/AAAAAAAAAF4/KIihGe-v2zY/s1600-h/A+Northern+Light.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402251113551856146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/Svimw_K3ghI/AAAAAAAAAF4/KIihGe-v2zY/s320/A+Northern+Light.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Title: A Northern Light.</div><div>Author: Jennifer Donnelly.</div><div>Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks; Reprint edition. </div><div>Date: September 1, 2004</div><div>ISBN: 0152053107 <span><br /><br />Critical Analysis:</span></div><div><span></span> </div><div><span></span>This story is about a girl named Mattie Gokey and her life on a farm in rural upstate New York during the early 1900s. Mattie is a very intelligent young girl who wants to go off to college to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer. Mattie is left with the tough decision of following her dream or staying to help her recently widowed father run the family farm and raise her siblings.<br /><br />Donnelly wrote a compelling and moving story that will keep the reader engaged. The story is told through Mattie’s narration and all of the characters were well represented. There are many elements included in this story such as suspense, mystery, romance and woman’s rights that will keep the plot going. Beth Guldseth of Children’s Literature wrote, “There are many issues here--murder, mystery, romance, discrimination, rights of women, the value of the intellectual life--and the author handles them all deftly. She uses the murdered girl's real-life letters to good advantage to advance the story.” Donnelly did a good job of presenting accurate historical information during this time period and the combination of the story moving back and fourth between the family farm and the Glenmore hotel gave good balance of the story. Viki Arkoff of Midwest Book Review wrote, “‘A Northern Light’ is a riveting page-turner for historical fiction fans, mystery buffs and any young adult readers who appreciates a well-written tale” (Midwest Book Review, "Vicki's Bookshelf" column, August 2003).<span><br /><br />Review Excerpts:</span></div><div>Gillian Engberg (Booklist, May 15, 2003 (Vol. 99, No. 18)):</div><div>"Donnelly's first YA novel begins with high drama drawn straight from history: Grace Brown's body is discovered, and her murder, which also inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, is the framework for this ambitious, beautifully written coming-of-age story set in upstate New York in 1906. Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey is a waitress at the Glenmore Hotel when Brown is murdered. As she learns Brown's story, her narrative shifts between the goings-on at the hotel and her previous year at home: her toil at the farm; her relationship with her harsh, remote father; her pain at being forbidden to accept a college scholarship. 'Plain and bookish,' Mattie is thrilled about, but wary of, a handsome neighbor's attentions, and she wonders if she must give up her dream of writing if she marries. In an intelligent, colloquial voice that speaks with a writer's love of language and an observant eye, Mattie details the physical particulars of people's lives as well as deeper issues of race, class, and gender as she strains against family and societal limitations. Donnelly adds a crowd of intriguing, well-drawn secondary characters whose stories help Mattie define her own desires and sense of self. Many teens will connect with Mattie's deep yearning for independence and for stories, like her own, that are frank, messy, complicated, and inspiring. Category: Books for Older Readers--Fiction. 2003, Harcourt, $17. Gr. 10-12. Starred Review" Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 09, 2009).<span><br /><br />Beth Guldseth (Children's Literature):</span></div><div><span></span>"<em>A Northern Light</em> is a rousing and original first novel set in Adirondacks lake country in 1906. The infamous Gillette murder case (subject of Dreiser's An American Tragedy and the film, A Place in the Sun) provides the historical background. Mattie Gokey longs to escape backbreaking farm work and accept a state scholarship to Barnard College in New York City, but her motherless siblings need her, her father thinks education is foolish, and a handsome and ambitious farm boy comes courting. There are many issues here--murder, mystery, romance, discrimination, rights of women, the value of the intellectual life--and the author handles them all deftly. She uses the murdered girl's real-life letters to good advantage to advance the story. Details of daily farm life are specific and unusual. Many characters contribute to the rich broth but are easy to keep separate; Mattie herself is most appealing. This is smooth yet unpretentious writing with moments of real beauty and filled with literary allusions. An exciting and satisfying book. 2003, Harcourt, $17.00. Ages 14 up." Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 09, 2009).<span><br /><br />Awards:<br /></span>Charlotte Award, 2006.</div><div>Michael L Printz Award, 2004.</div><div>Jefferson Cup Award, 2004.<span><br /><br />Conncetions:<br /></span>You can access a good discussion guide from the Multnomah County Library by clicking on: <a href="http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-northern.html">http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-northern.html</a> (accessed on November 09, 2009).<span><br /><br />Other books that may be of interest:<br /></span>Kinkade, Thomas. <em>Amanda's Story: a Cape Light Novel</em>. Harper Collins. 2004. ISBN:9780060543501</div><div> </div><div>Tripp Valerie. <em>Samantha Saves the Day: A Summer Story.</em> Pleasant Comapny. 1988. ISBN: 9780937295922</div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6894048367554148602.post-15212263026306990162009-11-09T15:22:00.000-08:002009-11-09T20:32:10.053-08:00No Choirboy: Murder, Violence and Teenages on Death Row. By Susan Kuklin<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SvimpEmkorI/AAAAAAAAAFw/gfTdmYx5XJU/s1600-h/No+Choirboy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402250977571283634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytyzp2B1tpY/SvimpEmkorI/AAAAAAAAAFw/gfTdmYx5XJU/s320/No+Choirboy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span>Title: No Choirboy: Murder, Violence and Teenages on Death Row.<br /><span><br />Author: Susan Kuklin<br /><br />Publisher: Henry Holt and Company<br /><br />Date: 2008<br /><br />ISBN: 0805079505<br /><br /><br /></span></span><strong>Critical Analysis:</strong><br /><p>This book is a combination of criminals’, victims’ and lawyers’ views regarding the death penalty and teen offenders. The stories involving these incarcerated teens will keep the reader engaged and you will feel a connection through the narration of each convict’s story. There was an element of shock involved in many of the stories due to the reality of the crime committed and the punishment received. Each story is told through the teen’s own observations and their views of life and prison life and the atrocities they have or watched others suffer. Gilliam Engberg of Booklist mentioned, “Kuklin presents, with signature frankness, the men’s memories of their young lives; the murders, for which some claim innocence; and the brutal realities (including rape and other acts of extreme violence) of incarcerated life, first on death row and then in maximum-security prison, where most of the prisoners are now held” (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 2)).<br /><br />Kuklin did a good job of presenting the accurate information regarding the death penalty and underage offenders. The visual pictures that are included in the book gives the reader the ability to connect with the offender in a humanizing way instead of just seeing the harshness of the crime that was committed. Gillian Engberg of Booklist mentioned, “The mix of voices makes for a somewhat chaotic but riveting whole that combines powerfully with the occasional photos and hand-drawn portraits of the subjects” (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 2)). The setting is primarily takes place through prison interviews but does branch out to the courtrooms of the legal system and attorneys involved. Even thought the story is a one-sided view, this book would be valuable to anyone who is interested in law or the death penalty. </p><p><span></span><strong>Review Excerpts</strong>:<span><br /><br /></span>Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 2)):<span></span></p>"In previous books for youth, Kuklin has explored harrowing topics such as AIDS (Fighting Back: What Some People Are Doing about AIDS, 1988) and child slavery (Iqbal Masih and the Crusaders against Child Slavery, 1998). Her latest title, about individuals who received death-row sentences while they were teenagers, is another direct, compassionate, and eye-opening inquiry. The prisoners’ words, drawn from Kuklin’s interview transcripts, form the bulk of the narratives, but Kuklin’s voice frequently cuts in with details about the events leading up to the alleged crime, legal issues, and the prisoners’ backgrounds. Some chapters also include commentary from the prisoners’ lawyers and the prisoners’ own writing (one, Nanon Williams, is a published author). The mix of voices makes for a somewhat chaotic but riveting whole that combines powerfully with the occasional photos and hand-drawn portraits of the subjects. Kuklin presents, with signature frankness, the men’s memories of their young lives; the murders, for which some claim innocence; and the brutal realities (including rape and other acts of extreme violence) of incarcerated life, first on death row and then in maximum-security prison, where most of the prisoners are now held. In unforgettable later chapters, families of prisoners and victims both speak about their grief and loss, and the closing section focuses on a world-renowned anti–death penalty attorney. This isn’t a balanced overview of capital punishment. Instead, it is a searing and provocative account that will touch teens’ most fundamental beliefs and questions about violence, punishment, our legal and prison systems, and human rights. An author’s note and extensive resources conclude. See the adjacent 'Story behind the Story' feature, Life on Death Row, for Kuklin’s comments about the project. Grades 10-12" Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 09, 2009).<span><br /><br /></span>Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 12)):<span><br /><br /></span>"Death Row inmates sentenced to die for crimes they committed as juveniles are profiled here, as well as victims' families, the family of one man already put to death and the lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama, an organization focused on the rights of indigent prisoners. Kuklin lets the inmates tell their stories in their own words, providing some minor narration about legal points. Readers may be surprised to learn of the diverse backgrounds of those convicted of capital crimes: Not all came from broken homes or disadvantaged backgrounds. Some didn't have a criminal record prior to their convictions. This is an excellent read for any student researching the death penalty or with an interest in law and sociology. The author/photographer paints the convicts and their families as neither wholly good nor bad, but human. The convicts themselves speak with a wisdom that can only come from years of negotiating the dangers of prison life, and their stories may change more than one mind regarding what makes a criminal. 2008, Henry Holt, 256p, $16.95. Category: Nonfiction. Ages 13 up. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved." Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on November 09, 2009). <span><br /><br /></span><strong>Awards:<span><br /><br /></span></strong>Cybils, 2008.<span><br /><br /></span><strong>Connections:</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />You can visit the author's website to read more information on this book by clicking on: <a href="http://www.susankuklin.com/newsletter.htm">http://www.susankuklin.com/newsletter.htm</a> (Accessed November 9, 2009).<br /><br />Other books that may be of interest:<br /><br />Korman, Gordon. <em>The Juvie Three</em>. Hyperion. 2008. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0158-1.<br /><br />Jacobs, Thomas A. <em>They Broke the Law, You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime</em>. Free Spirit. 2003. pap. $15.95. ISBN 978-1-57542-134-6.<br /><br />Rapp, Adam. <em>The Buffalo Tree</em>. Front St. 2007. pap. $10.95. ISBN 978-1-93242-599-4.Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16819763695021246660noreply@blogger.com0