Biographical Poetry: The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano

Citation:

Engle, M. (2006). The poet slave of cuba: a biography of juan francisco manzano. New York, NY: Henry Holt. Illustrator: Sean Qualls. ISBN: 9780805077063.

Review:

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.

Excerpt:

"Juan"

These rhymes are mine
mine alone
never memorized
or copied
in any way

Rhymes about
soaring in spirit
a spark imprisoned
bursting it bonds
of clay

Rhymes about feeling delight
wrapped in love
alive
and able
to pray

Introducing the Poem:

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!

Social Studies Poetry: I Never Saw Another Butterfly

Citation:

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.

Review:

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.

Excerpt:

"The Butterfly"

The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing
against a white stone...

Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly 'way up high
It went away I'm sure because it wished to
kiss the world goodbye.

For seven weeks I've lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto
But I found my people here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut candles in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don't live in here,
In the ghetto.

Introducing the Poem:

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.

Science Poetry: The Tree that Time Built

Citation:

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.

Review:

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.




Excerpt:

"Frog"

Pollywiggle Wet skin
Pollywog Cold blood
Tadpole Squats in
Bullfrog Mucky mud
Leaps on Leaps on
Long legs Long legs
Jug-o-rum Jug-o-rum
Jelly eggs Jelly eggs
Sticky tongue Laid in
Trick flies Wet bog...
Spied by Pollywiggle
Flicker eyes Pollywog.


Introducing the Poem:
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.