Janeczko Poetry

Home on the Range: Cowboy Poetry

Selected By: Paul B. Janeczko

Pictures By: Bernie Fuchs

Janecko, Paul B. 1997. Home on the Range: Cowboy Poetry. Ill. by Bernie Fuchs. New York, NY: Dial Books.

ISBN: 0803719116

Home on the Range is a collection of 19 cowboy poems.  All the poems in the collection were selected by Paul Janeczko.  Jeneczko uses many different poetic elements throughout the book.  Rhyming words are used in many of the poems.  "You Probably Know This Guy" uses lots of rhyming words.  This particular poem was my favorite.  This poem talks about a farmer and his morning routine of getting up and feeding and taking care of his cows.  "Hayin" is another very enjoyable poem that uses rhyming words.  It is about hay seasons and their workers.  Some of the poems are written in free verse.  "Sold Out" and "Range Cow in Winter" are examples of poems that are written in free verse.

All of the poems fit well together and are about cowboys and cowgirls and the type of work they do.  The poems further the readers knowledge about the hard work these people do.  Cowboys is a very interesting topic that children love to read and learn about.  The poems talk about cowboys who drove cattle and cowboys who work on a ranch or farm.  Janecko has done a wonderful job of selecting poems from a wide range of authors, including both men and women.  

Bernie Fuchs has provided beautiful and captivating paintings.  There is one poem on every page and an illustration to go with the poem.  Fuchs blends colors such as brown, purple, yellow, orange, and black to represent the American cowboy.

Home on the Range is a terrific book to add to any poetry collection.  The book is educational and fun.  It provides a deeper look into the lives of interesting people and the work they do.

You Probably Know This Guy

He gets up in the mornin', way before dawn,

Feeds the wood heater, turns a pot of coffee on,

Tunes in the radio for the market report.

He could stay in bed, but he's just not that sort.

He scrambles some eggs, while his family sleeps upstairs.

Thinks over coffee 'til first light appears.

He climbs into his coveralls when it's light enough to feed.

Some folks wait 'til it's warmer, but he's not of that breed.

Activity: This is a great poem to teach younger children about rhyming words.  First complete a brief mini lesson over rhyming words, explaining and brainstorming what they are.  Next read the poem to the students out loud 2 times through.  After reading the poem divide the students into small groups and give a copy of the poem to each group.  Let students underline each set of rhyming words in different colors.  When each group is finished allow them to share with the whole group some of the rhyming words their group found.

Poetry By Kids

Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems By Teenagers

Edited By: Betsy Franco

Franco, Betsy. 2008. Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems By Teenagers. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

ISBN: 9780763634377

Falling Hard is a collection of 100 poems that are written by teenagers about the topic of love.  The authors of the poems come from a wide range of age and ethnic backgrounds.  These teenage poets  have a variety of sexual preferences, straight, gay, bi, and transgender.  

Some of the poems in the book have a rhythm or beat, while others have rhyming words.  Most of the poetry is written in free verse.  Sense imagery is dominant throughout the entire book revolving around love.  Many of the poems are written abstractly and left up for interpretation.  

All the poems are written from experiences these teenagers have been through.  Some of the poems are sweet and the reader can tell the authors of these poems have an innocence about love and being in a relationship.  Other poems are written from a raw perspective from teens who are more experienced.  Some of the poems deal with heart break, new relationships, crushes, sex, and self-esteem.  Love is a topic that all teens deal with, so the topic of the book is appealing to the age group targeted.  Love is  dealt with in different ways and it shows in the book.  The poems stir up various moods and emotions while being read due to the variety of the authors of the poetry.  The reader can tell these teen authors have poured their heart and soul into their poetry.  

Some of the poems are rough and difficult to read, and I wouldn't allow young teens to read the poems that are explicit. However, Falling Hard is an inspiration to any young writer.  It shows young people that they can write and have a voice just like adults.  Falling Hard is an example of teenagers pouring their hearts out onto paper and inspiring other teens to do the same.  


Love is Like


the sweetness of honey
falling from a bee hive.


You have to be careful
not to get stung.


Hector Jasso, age 16


Activity:  This poem is a good example of how poets often use similes in their poetry.  "Love is like the sweetness of honey" is a simile the poet has used.  Students can brainstorm other similes for the emotion and feeling of love, or students could pick another emotion such as anger or happiness and write similes for them.  After students have listed their similes they take them and write a poem using their similes. 

Free Choice Poetry

Declaration Of Interdependence: Poems for an Election Year

By: Janet Wong

Wong, Janet. 2012. Declaration of Interdependence: Poems for an Election Year. Princeton, NJ: PoetrySuitcase.com.

ISBN: 9781937057206 

Declaration of Interdependence is a collection of poetry compiled into an electronic format.  The poems focus around the topic of an election year.  There are 20 poems in the collection.  Some of the poems rhyme.  "Occupy the TV" is an example of a poem that has rhyming words.  It is a funny poem about watching political debates on the television.  Some of the poems are more along the lines of a narrative.  "We the People" tells a story about a fifteen year old and her eagerness to vote.

Wong does a great job of taking topics such as politics and writes in a way kids can understand.  All the poems appeal to young people.  Many of the poems are funny and witty and put a different spin on a stereotypical election.  Wong turns a topic that might be considered boring to some, especially kids, and makes it into an interesting topic.  Freedom of speech and the Bill of Rights is also addressed throughout her poems.   "F Words" is another poem that has an element of humor.  It is about a child listening in on an adults conversation about foreign policy, feminism, facts, fossil fuels, and other words that start with f.

I enjoyed reading through Wong's collection of poems.  Since this is an election year this book is a great resource and learning tool to use with students.  Declaration of Interdependence is a wonderful book with a sense of humor to use to expose and teach students about politics and the election year.

Once Upon A Time

Listen to old people

and it seems like

Once upon a time

the world was so different.

I wish

I could click the remote

And poof!

Instead of the boring nonsense

There would only be

Once Upon a time:

Snow White for President!

Activity:  This is a great poem to read to students during times of televised political debates.  There could be a class discussion about the debates and the teacher can ask the students if they have seen them on T.V.  After discussing the debates the teacher reads the poem.  The teacher points out the humorous fact that the author would like Snow White to be president.  After discussion students can brainstorm who they would like to be president, and either write a story or a poem about their candidate.

Performance Poetry

The Friendly Four

By: Eloise Greenfield

Illustrations By: Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Greenfield, Eloise. 2006. The Friendly Four. Ill. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

ISBN: 0060007591

The Friendly Four is a collection of poems designed to be read as performance poetry. The book is about four children who become friends and play together during summer vacation. Their names are Dorene, Drum, Rae, and Louis. The book is divided into four parts or chapters. The book starts off in chapter one with only one of the children, and each chapter adds a new child until there are four children in chapter four. Each child has their own speaking lines, and a lot of the lines are written so that all four children can say them together. This layout of poetry makes it available for students to learn to read out loud as performance poetry.

The poems throughout the entire book carry the theme of friendship and imagination. The children get art supplies and construct a whole make believe town. "At the Bank" is a poem about the children going to the make believe bank and checking to see how much money is in their bank account to find they have one million dollars. Some of the poems contain words that rhyme such as "Drummond," while others have a beat because the poems are divided into different reading parts.

Friendship is something that all kids deal with so the topic is very appealing to young readers. All the poems stir up emotions and memories of childhood friendships among older readers. The book is written as performance poetry, and this element gives children the opportunity to see a different type of poetry and a different way of how it can be performed.

Jan Spivey Gilchrist has painted wonderful illustrations that are very colorful. There is an illustration on every page that goes with every poem. The illustrations are very appropriate for the book.

The Friendly Four is a poem picture book that offers many poetic concepts to children to help them understand that poetry is more than one person reading out loud. The book also reinforces friendship and shows children ways summer vacation can be spent playing outside with friends and using their imaginations.

We Did It!

Rae: We painted for days and days,

Louis: Monday through Friday,

and Monday through Friday again

Louis and Rae: (not counting the day Drum knocked over a can of paint, and we had to clean it up).

Dorene: But now, it's finished,

so let's lift our tired arms and say,

All: "Hooray! We did it! We built our own town!"

Drum: We've got:

All: One bank, one library, one church, two toy stores, one bookstore, one school, and so forth, and so forth.

Rae: To get here, just drive

south, east, west, and north.

Drum: You can't miss it. Look for

the sign that says:

All: Welcome to the Town of Goodsummer

Population 4

Activity: This is a great poem to use while teaching performance poetry. Divide students into groups of four and give each each student a part in the poem. They could be either Rae, Louis, Dorene, or Drum. Distribute poems to students and allow them to practice presenting their poem to the class. Next, pass out big pieces of white butcher paper or poster board and have each group draw and color their own picture of the town. Finally, allow groups to present poems along with their own illustration.

Hopkins Award Poetry

Jazz

By: Walter Dean Myers

Illustrated By: Christopher Myers

Myers, Walter Dean. 2006. Jazz. Ill. by Christopher Myers. New York, NY; Holiday House.

ISBN: 978083421732

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers is an award winning collection of poems focusing on the elements of jazz music. Many of the poems contain words that express the sound of jazz. "Twenty-Finger Jack" is an example of how Myers takes words such as, "Be ba boodie", and gives the reader the sense imagery of hearing the jazz music actually being played.

All of the poems in the collection stir up different emotions as the poems are read. "Be-Bop" is an example of a poem that makes the reader excited and happy about jazz music. "Good-Bye To Old Bob Johnson" is a poem about a funeral precession and even though the poem displays the emotion of sadness, the reader understands that jazz music can be played and heard in many different types of situations.

Music is something that all kids enjoy. Learning about a special type of music appeals to young readers. The poems that are featured enrich and extend a person knowledge and insight about jazz music. Myers has included a timeline about the history of jazz as well as a glossary of jazz terms in the back of the book. These things also help enrich the reader's knowledge about jazz.

Christopher Myers supplies the book with vibrant illustrations of African American jazz musicians and their musical instruments. The paintings in the book are very appropriate and go well with the poems.

Jazz is a collection of poems that all readers will enjoy. The words and rhythm that make up the poems allow the reader to actually hear the jazz music as if it was really being played. Myers has done an amazing job of making the music come to life through poetry.

Be-Bop

Oh be-bop be-bop, oh whee

OH WHEE!

Oh be-bop be-bop,

don't you dig I'm free?

Oh be-bop be-bop,

do you dig my jive?

This jazz that I'M playing

is keeping me alive!

The sweet honey changing

And the mood rearranging

And the ax that I'm grinding

And the melody I'm finding

Goes screa---min',

Goes screamin',

Goes screa---screa---screamin'

To the moon!

Activity: This poem is great to use to teach children about onamonpias. The teacher would start off telling students to try to think of the instrument that is being used in the poem. Students should listen for onamonpias that are used in the poem they read. After the teacher reads the poem several times students share what instrument they think is featured in the poem. The teacher then tells the students that the poem has the sound of a saxophone in it. The teacher plays a recording of a saxophone and discusses with students the onamonpias that are used in the poem, such as "be-bop" and "oh whee." Next students can listen to other instruments and brainstorm other onamonpias for their sounds.

Sidman Poetry

Red Sings From Treetops: A Year in Colors

By: Joyce Sidman

Illustrated By: Pamela Zagarenski

Sideman, Joyce. 2009. Red Sings From Treetops: A Year in Colors. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

ISBN: 9780547014944

Red Sings From Treetops is a poem picture book that gives detailed descriptions about the four seasons by using the visual effects of colors. The book starts with the season of spring and ends with the season of winter. Joyce Sidman takes the reader on a whimsical and imaginative journey involving the four seasons and the colors each represent. "Green is new in spring," is an example of how Sidman takes a simple color and expands the mind into thinking about how these colors represent each season. Many colors are used throughout all the poems.

The colors and the seasons are concepts that children are taught at an early age so the topic of the book appeals to all ages and is familiar to all children. The poems enrich a person's knowledge and challenges them to take a closer look at the colors in nature. Sidman's poems are descriptive, but leave room for the imagination. Many of the poems are written in a free verse format, but the topic of the poems is inviting to young readers.

Pamela Zagarenski is the illustrator for the book and won a Caldecott Medal for the illustrations. The paintings in the book are full of color and life. The pictures fit well with the poems and are appropriate for the book.

Red Sings From Treetops opens a world of new meaning and appreciation for nature and the changing seasons. This book is fun for young readers who are learning about colors and seasons for the first time, and the book is also for older children because the depth of the words within the poems is visually stunning.

Fall

Orange ripens in

full, heavy moons,

thick with pulp and seed.

Orange flickers,

all smoke and candles.

Orange eyes.

Orange cheeks.

Orange teeth.

Activity: This poem is a great example of how visual these poems can be. The teacher could have the students close their eyes and visualize what is being read from the poem. Any part of the book would work for this activity. After the teacher reads part of the book she could have the students draw what they visualized and share with the class as a whole group. Once everyone has shared the teacher can then show the class the amazing illustrations from the book.

Biography Poetry

Carver: A Life in Poems

By: Marilyn Nelson

Nelson, Marilyn. 2001. Carver: A Life in Poems. New York, NY" Scholastic Inc.

ISBN: 0439443393

Carver is a collection of poems formed into a bibliographic novel about the life of George Washington Carver. Carver was a scientist, educator, artist, and inventor. He made a large impact on the African American community. He made great discoveries in the area of agriculture, and mostly with peanuts. The book is laid out with poems written from people's perspective that were a part of Carver's life. Nelson also includes important dates and facts about Carver's life on some of the bottoms of the pages. Also, real black and white photographs are located throughout the book with dates and captions, and they provide good visual aides.

Nelson's poetry is filled with figurative language and many of the poems are abstract. This type of writing style leaves room for much interpretation from the reader. The book leans more towards the young adult. The poems can be understood by the audience, but the writing does expand the readers linguistic ability. Many young adults may not know who Carver is or what he accomplished, but after reading this novel they will gain insight into the man that had such a lasting impact.

Some of the poems focus on the kind heart Carver appeared to have. "Friends of the Klan" is about one of Carver's friends being a part of the KKK, and Carver praying for his friend. Other poems focus on the hardship that Carver went through as he enrolled in college to further his career. "Cafeteria Food" is about the hurt feelings Carver endures as he attended Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1891. Carver: A Life in Poems is a great example of how poetry can read not only to entertain but also to inform.

Goliath

for J.B.

Professor Carver smiles. "God is right here.

Don't loose contact with Him. Don't yield to fear.

Fear is the root of hate, and hate destroys

the hater. When Saul's army went to war

against the Philistines, the Israelites

lost contact, fearful of Goliath's might.

"When we lose contact, we see only hate,

only injustice, a giant so great

its shadow blocks our sun. But David slew

Goliath with the only things he knew:

the slingshot of intelligence, and one

pebble of truth. And the battle was done."

Activity: This poem is about overcoming racism. This poem would be great to share with students during the month of February, which is black history month. After sharing this poem and discussing what it means to overcome hardship, students can research other great leaders in the African American community and make presentations to share with the class. Students can write a poem and create a poster to share about their leader of choice. Posters and poems can be displayed in the hallway all through the month of February.

Social Studies Poetry

Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials

By: Stephanie Hemphill

Hemphill, Stephanie. 2010. Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray.

ISBN: 9780061853289

Wicked Girls is a novel written in verse about the Salem Witch Trails. The novel is written from the perspective of 3 girls that are involved in the accusing of Salem's residents and condemning them as witches. Margaret Walcott is 17 years old and betrothed to marry a young man in Salem Village. Ann Putnam Jr. is Margaret's cousin and 12 years old. Mercy Lewis is the Putnam's servant girl and is 17 years old. Other young girls are involved in the accusing as well, they are Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Hubbard, and Susannah Sheldon.

The characters in the book are based on real people who were involved in the trails. Hemphill includes mini biographies of these people in the back of the novel. The book starts with just young girls playing make believe together, but when they realize the power of their accusations their make believe is turned into a matter of life and death for residents of Salem Village. The girls roam about the village and act as though they are being tormented by locals, who they refer to as witches.

Hemphill does an interesting job of blending fiction and non-fiction together. The Salem Witch Trails is an interesting topic among young adults. I myself was interested in the topic, and that is why I chose this book to read. While reading the novel I felt I was learning about a historic event in history, but through the eyes of characters that Hemphill had created.

Hemphill creates a very strong raw feeling of sadness, especially in the poem "First Witch Hanging" which is told from the perspective of Mercy Lewis who becomes the leader of the group of girls. The emotional impact found within the poems is strong, and the reader can sense the weight of guilt the girls are feeling with their false testimonies. "Remorse" is an example of the feelings Mercy is wrestling with after viewing the first hanging. Strong imagery is created in poems such as "First Time in the Courtroom" told by Ann Putnam. The reader can sense the great amount of tension that is building in the courtroom. Wicked Girls allows the reader to see an important event in our nation's history through fresh eyes with fictional characters.

Hangings

Mercy Lewis, 17

Four men and one woman

pulled in the death cart.

My old master,

who surely deserves to die,

Reverend George Burroughs,

speaks the Lord's Prayer

with a noose about his neck,

every word in place,

as a witch should not be able to recite.

The crowd quakes

as though the earth were splitting apart.

"How can he recite the Lord's Prayer?"

someone ask. Another wonders,

"Did we make a mistake?"...

Activity: This poem is a great picture of feelings that were being felt by the residents of Salem Village during the Salem Witch Trials. The teacher reads the poem and discusses with students all the different feelings and emotions that are being felt and dealt with in the poem. After the teacher instructs students to pick another important event in history they have learned about. The students then create a fictional character and write a poem about the important event through the eyes of their fictional character.

Science Poetry

The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination

Selected By: Mary Ann Hoberman & Linda Winston

Hoberman, Mary Ann and Linda Winston. 2009. The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.

ISBN: 140225172

The Tree That Time Built is a collection of poems that celebrate nature and science. The poems in the book are selected by award winning author Mary Ann Hoberman and educator Linda Winston. The poems featured in the book are from a wide range of authors. The authors range from classic authors such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Langston Hughes, to more modern day writers such as Douglas Florian and Marilyn Singer. Some of the authors of the poems in the book are unknown. Many of the poems featured in the book can be found in other poetry books as well. The poems are divided into nine sections, or chapters, each focusing on a different element of nature such as prehistoric times, trees, the sea, and species of animals that fly. A glossary is located in the back of the book that aides reader in understanding unknown words. Also, placed at the end of the book is a listing of all the poets featured in the book along with short biographies about their lives and writings.

The meaning of the book is to link the subjects of poetry and science together. Many of the poems placed in the book use abstract imagery. Figurative language is used to describe such wonders such as the ocean. "Height" by A.R. Ammons is an example of the abstract language that is used in many of the poems in the book. These types of poems allow students to engage in deeper level thinking when trying to find the meaning and understand the information presented in the poem. Many of the poems describe animals in great detail. These poems would be great to use in science as a lesson that would allow students to hear information about the animal in a different way. "Starfish" by Valerie Worth is one example of a poem that would further a child's understanding of the creature.

Science is a very interesting topic for children, and the poems and their topics appeal to the book's audience. All of the poems enrich and extend children's knowledge on concepts in nature. There is a sense of wonder and awe that is felt when reading through the book. The poems that have been chosen capture the reader and pull them further into a deeper understanding of our Earth's past, present, and the creatures that live upon it.

Hurt No Living Thing

By: Christina Rossetti

Hurt no living thing:

Ladybird, nor butterfly

Nor moth with dusty wing,

Nor cricket chirping cheerily,

Nor grasshopper so light of leap.

Nor dancing gnat, or beetle flat,

Nor harmless worms that creep.

Activity: This poem was featured in the section of the book about extinction. Before the poem is read the teacher displays the word "extinction" on the board, and holds a class discussion about the word and its meaning. Also, the teacher asks students to name animals they know are extinct. The teacher then lists these animals on the board. The poem is then read out loud to the class and the teacher discusses its meaning with the whole class. Students can then select an animal that is extinct and write a poem about their chosen animal.

New Poetry Book

The President's Stuck in the Bathtub

By: Susan Katz

Illustrated by: Robert Neubecker

Katz, Susan. 2012. The President's Stuck in the Bathtub: Poems About the Presidents. Ill. by Robert Neubecker. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

ISBN: 9780547182216

The President's Stuck in the Bathtub is an informative collection of poetry written by Susan Katz. Katz's collection consists of 44 poems, one for each president of the United States. Every poem in the book is written to further a child's knowledge about our past and present president. Some of the poems have rhythm and rhyme, while others are written in more of a verse format. Some of the poems are written in a shape. The poem about Abraham Lincoln and his stovepipe hat is written in the shape of his hat. Another aspect of the book is there are facts about each president located on the bottom of the page of their own personal poem. Some of the facts pertain to the president's family or pets. For, example William McKinley had a parrot that talked to everyone in the White House that walked by his cage.

All the poems are consistent in quality. The facts that Katz displays in her poetry are humorous. For example, the poem "Hatbox" is about Abraham Lincoln and how he used his stovepipe hat to carry important documents. The poem titled "The Naked Truth" is about how John Quincy Adams loved to skinny dip in the Potomac river. The poems in the book appeal to young readers because they are humorous, yet they are full of facts. These poems help extend the reader's knowledge about our nation's presidents. One of the helpful aspects of the poems in the book is that they enrich a person's insight to our country's leaders. I learned many interesting facts while reading, such as Andrew Jackson was a poor speller.

Robert Neubecker's illustrations are full of color and humor as well. For example, the poem about James Buchanan is titled "Funny Looking," and Katz explains how Buchanan had a bad eye and he would tilt his head to the side in favor of his good eye. Neubecker's illustration shows Buchanan with his head titled, as well as his dog.

Each poem displays a title, the name of the president, and the years of his service. Katz also has an index in the back listing all the presidents.

Children will enjoy this book of poems about our 44 presidents. They will gain knowledge and insight about our country's past and present leaders. It is a history lesson with a humorous twist. I also think that Katz does a great job of showing children that presidents are humans like all of us, and we all have personal funny stories to tell.

Out Hunting

(Ulysses S. Grant, 1869-77)

Hunting wild turkeys,

Ulysses S. Grant remembered

to stalk silently,

to hide carefully, deep

in the trees.

When two, three,

or twenty handsome turkeys

thundered by,

no one

escaped his eye.

Grant remembered

to watch where they flew,

but there was one thing

he forgot to do.

oh, shoot!

Yet by keeping his gun

propped on his shoulder,

he gave those birds

a shot

at growing older.

Activity: After reading this poem about Ulysses S. Grant discuss with children the humor that is found in this poem. Ask them, "What is humorous about the ending of this poem?" After discussing the answers ask students to brainstorm and think about a funny story about their own life. Students can then write a poem about a funny event that happened in their life, just like that poem about Ulysses S. Grant.

Verse Novel

Out of the Dust

By: Karen Hesse

Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust: A Novel. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

ISBN: 0590360809

Karen Hesse tells a tragic and triumphant story of a 14 year old girl named Billie Jo during the time of the Dust Bowl. Hesse writes Billie Jo's story through verse. After causing an accident by throwing kerosene onto a stove which leaves her pregnant mother and her own hands badly burned Billie Jo is faced with the fact of her mother's death while giving birth to her brother. Billie Jo is made to feel as if she is the one to blame for the tragedy. Billie Jo must learn how to deal with her distant father, her burned up hands that no longer can play the piano, and the drought and famine brought on by the Dust Bowl.

Hesse stirs up very strong emotions when reading about this young girl's life, and how difficult times were. Sadness over took me when reading the verses about Billie Jo's difficult times of physical and emotional pain. The poem titled "Blame" goes into great detail about the pain Billie Jo is feeling because of the circumstances of her life. Hesse gives very detailed descriptions about how terrible life was for those who lived during the Dust Bowl. The sense imagery and emotional impact she enforces with her descriptions of how everything was covered in dust feels like you are on the plains of Oklahoma yourself. "Dust Storm" is a poem with so much vivid imagery that describes scenes from this horrible time.

Out of the Dust not only tells a story of a young girl, it also tells about a very important and interesting event in our nation's history. Hesse's book was written for young adults and I know readers will really enjoy this realistic story. Her novel through verse gives great insight and knowledge pertaining to how bad things really were during the Dust Bowl.

All the poems are very consistent in quality, and they all flow together nicely to tell a powerful story. All the poems in the book are written by Karen Hesse, and each poem reinforces the main point of the book. The book is divided into seasons starting with the winter of 1934 and ending in the autumn of 1935.

Out of the Dust is a verse novel. The verses make the reader realize how fortunate we are, and how we should never take anything for granted. I do not see how anyone could read the pages from this book, and not have deep strong emotions stir up inside them. Hesse does an amazing job telling how Billie Jo turns her life around and pulls herself out of the dust.

Beginning: August 1920

I came too fast for the doctor,

bawling as soon as Daddy wiped his hand around

inside my mouth.

To hear Ma tell it,

I hollered myself red the day I was born.

Red's the color I've stayed ever since.

Daddy named me Billie Jo.

He wanted a boy.

Instead,

he got a long-legged girl

with a wide mouth

and cheekbones like bicycle handles.

He got a redheaded, freckled-faced, narrow-hipped girl

with a fondness for apples

and a hunger for playing fierce piano.

Activity: After reading the whole poem, discuss with students how the author is describing what took place when Billie Jo was born, and how the author describes characteristics about her. Students can then write a poem about themselves and what was happening when they were born, or they can write a poem about their own personal characteristics. Students can even interview family members to hear the story of when they were born, or characteristics about themselves when they were little.

Poetic Form

Zombie Haiku

By: Ryan Mecum

Mecum, Ryan. 2008. Zombie Haiku. Cincinnati, OH: HOW Books.

ISBN: 9781600610707

Ryan Mecum takes the poetic form of haiku to a whole new level in his book titled Zombie Haiku. The story starts off with Chris Lynch finding the journal of a zombie he has just killed and who has just bitten him. The book then flashes back and retells the story of how the zombie Chris killed came to be a zombie and how he arrived at the airport. Mecum uses haiku poetry to tell this gruesome tale. The book finishes with Chris Lynch turning into a zombie as a result of this bite.

Great amounts of sense imagery and descriptive language are used throughout the entire book. Some of these poems were so descriptive in their gore that I myself had a bit of a stomach ache when I finished the book. Some examples of this imagery entails very detailed descriptions of eating other people and craving their brains from the point of view of the zombie. The book definitely leaves an emotional impact by leaving the reader completely grossed out, yet I was intrigued how much detail Mecum gives with haiku poetry.

Haiku poetry is the least favorite type of poetry found among young adults. Mecum has taken a very popular subject matter and told a unique story that young adults, particularly boys, will really enjoy. While reading the book I often got so caught up in the story that I forgot I was reading haiku poetry. The topic of zombies is very interesting among young adults. Zombie Haiku would greatly increase a student's knowledge of descriptive language and the structure of a haiku poem. The book stimulates great emotions and imagination due to the fact that the main character is a zombie hunting people to eat.

The poems are very consistent in quality. Even though some poems made my stomach churn I still wanted to know what would happen next. All the poems found in the book are very compatible and they all flow together nicely. Various moods and feelings are felt throughout the book such as fright, sadness, laughter, and sickness.

All of the haikus in Zombie Haiku are written by Ryan Mecum. There are one to three haikus per page. Very appropriate visuals and photographs are used throughout the whole book. Pictures of zombies and drops of blood are splashed throughout the pages. There are chapter titles, but there is not a table of contents.

Mecum takes such a hated form of poetry and turns it into a thriving story that young adults will love to read. Young adults, especially boys, will love these poems. Zombie Haiku is an amazing example of how poetry can be used to write about anything.

Occasional screams

loudly tell me of missed meals

that others found first.

Activity: This poem is a great example of the strong sense imagery Mecum uses. After reading this poem and several others from the book, and discussing sense imagery students can be divided into groups. Each group is given three haikus from the book and each group reads their three haikus and highlights and discusses the words that display sense imagery. Each group then shares their three poems and the words they highlighted and how the words show sense imagery.

Florian Poetry

Insectlopedia

Poems and Paintings By: Douglas Florian

Florian, Douglas. 1998. Insectlopedia. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace & Company.

ISBN: 0-15-201306-7

Insectlopedia by Douglas Florian is an informative book of poetry. The book consist of 21 poems. Each poem pertains to a particular insect. Each species of insect gets their own poem about them. Each poem is full of facts for that insect. The age group for the book of poems is aimed toward elementary. I would say that children kindergarten-5th grade would enjoy these poems. Each poem as certain beat or rhythm. Rhyming words are also used throughout each poem.

Insects is a very interesting topic for children. Children love insects and learning about them. Every child has had experiences with insects wether they liked it or not. Insectlopedia offers a gateway for children to better understand these creatures through poetry. The poems are all very informative and can be used in the classroom for all types of activities.

All the poems are very consistent in quality. Every poem supports the purpose of the book which is to inform children about insects. There are no specific feelings I thought that the poems brought about. However, after reading the poems I did feel more informed about insects. Florian also provides vivid slightly abstract paintings for each poem that he has written. After reading the book I came to realization of how much work went into putting the book together. 21 poems and 21 paintings, one for each insect in the book. There was also a table of contents located within the book.

Florian offers an different approach for students to learn about insects through poetry. Instead of just pulling and using one poem from the book. I feel the book needs to be used as a whole. Many of the poems are pack full of facts and new knowledge for students to learn.

The Caterpillar

She eats eight leaves at least

To fill her,

Which leaves her like a

Fatterpillar,

Then rents a room inside

A pupa,

And checks out: Madame Butterfly ---

How super!

Activity: This would be a great poem when teaching students about the life cycle. While teaching a science lesson on the life cycle of a caterpillar, the teacher can share this poem. After discussing the poem, the teacher then passes out paper plates one per student. The students then draw and label the life cycle on their paper plates.

Multicultural Poetry

Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems About Love

By: Pat Mora

Mora, Pat. 2010. Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems About Love. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

ISBN: 978-0-375-94565-6

Dizzy in Your Eyes is a collection of 50 poems by Pat Mora. The age group for this book of poetry is 7th-12th grade. All 50 of the poems found within the book all focus on the concept of love. Numerous topics that evolve love are covered in the book such as boy/girl relationships, death, family, and friends. A lot of the poems use figurative language and are left up to interpretation. The emotions of the poetry in the book run deep. Love is a very emotional thing and Pat Mora brings out many emotions with her poetry about love wether good or bad.

The topics of the poems are very appealing to the teen age group. I can't think of any teenager who would not want to read about love. The concept of love reaches all people. We have all dealt with love in some form or fashion. The book and the poems are also designed and written in a way that would keep a teen's attention, meaning none of the poems are very long, and some pages only consist of a few lines. I would also say that the poems enriches or extends the readers knowledge. Pat Mora's poetry offers readers opportunities to relate but also offers others new insight and knowledge to the subject at hand. As stated before many emotions are felt when reading through the book. Emotions such as happiness, sadness, heartbreak, embarrassment, and excitement.The poems are very consistent in quality. All of the poems reinforce the purpose which is to be about love.

The agreement or layout of the book is very interesting. All of the poems are found on the right hand side of the pages. On the left hand side Mora offers poetic terms and their meanings or definitions located at the bottom of the page. The poetic terms and definitions that are in the book are: song, ode, oda, tercet, list poem, dialogue, haiku, blank verse, tanka, letter poem, pantoum, sestina, villanelle, sonnet, anaphora, lyric, couplet, acrostic, triolet, and blues. These terms come in very handy while reading through the book. The reader obtains a better understanding of poems and the many different types. Mora also offers an example when a definition is given.

Dizzy in Your Eyes is a great poetry book for teens. It focuses on a very interesting topic, which is love. It provides great room for relating to the poetry written. Even if some of the poetry is figurative and left up for interpretation the poems allow for the reader to relate with their own experiences.

Valentine to Papi

I kept looking in the mirror

and touching my grown-up hair.

Remember, Papi, ten years ago?

You smiled when you saw me

wearing a new yellow dress.

I was shining for my cousin's wedding.

Your smile lit the room.

Strangers who said they were my aunts,

uncles, great-aunts,

kept squeezing me.

I'd smooth and straighten my dress.

When the romantic music started,

Mami looked at you

and pointed at me.

You looked down

and took my hands,

mine cold, yours warm.

I put my shiny shoes on yours,

and we danced.

Ten years later, in my heart

we still dance

perfectly, Papi.

Activity: I loved this poem about a girl reflecting back on her memory of a dearly loved family member. Teens I feel could really relate to this poem. You could introduce the poem by asking students to share some favorite memories they have about their favorite family members. Then read the poem titled "Valentine to Papi." After reading the poem students could reflect on their own memories and write their own Valentine to a family member or late family member.

NCTE Award Poetry

The Llama Who Had No Pajama

By: Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrated by: Betty Fraser

Hoberman, Ann Mary. 1998. The Llama Who Had No Pajama. Ill. by Betty Fraser. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Company.

ISBN: 0-15-200111-5

The Llama Who Had No Pajama is a collection of 100 poems. Mary Ann Hoberman who is the author of the poems was the winner of the NCTE poetry award in 2003. The age group for this collection of poems is for younger elementary age children, probably between the ages of 5 to 10 years old. The topics covered in the book are very age appropriate. The topics that the poetry in the book covers are: weather, birthdays, family, animals, seasons, and insects. Abstract concepts that appeal to children are also covered in the poems. These topics are: dress-up, pretend, the concept of time, and the feelings that are involved in growing up. All the poetry found in the book is based on very familiar topics of childhood experiences.

Most of the poetry has a particular beat or meter to it. Almost all of poems contain the poetic elements of rhythm and rhyme. Sensory language is also used. The senses of hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and feeling are used in many of the poems for children in the particular age group that the book is aimed at.

Many of the poetry extends and enriches a child's experiences. A lot of the poetry is informative especially the poetry revolving around animals or insects. These poems would be great to use for science lessons. All of the poetry stimulates good emotions and provides room for children to use their imagination when reading or listening to the poetry in the book. All of the poems are consistent in quality and reinforce the purpose of the book in the fact that even if a lot of the poetry is silly it still provides an avenue for children to experience poetry written for them to understand. I would have to say that all the poems represent the overall mood of joy. I found myself smiling while reading the poetry in the book.

All of the poems in the book are by Mary Ann Hoberman. There are 1 to 3 poems per page. Betty Fraser does a great job of providing an illustration for every poem. There is a colorful picture that represents each poem found in the collection. A table of contents is provided as well as an index.

The Llama Who Had No Pajama is a great collection of poetry to read to young readers. Children will throughly enjoy all the poems. Also, as stated before many of the poems can be used for cross curricular teaching.

Penguin

O Penguin, do you ever try

To flap your flipper wings and fly?

How do you feel, a bird by birth

And yet for life tied down to earth?

A feathered creature, born with wings

Yet never wing-borne. All your kings

And emperors must wonder why

Their realm is sea instead of sky.

Activity: This would be a great poem to use during a penguin unit. The teacher could focus the lesson for the day on the differences between penguins and other birds. The teacher could then share the poem titled "Penguin." After reading the poem and discussing the differences students could fill out a venn diagram comparing penguins and other birds.