Poetry Book Reviews

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 2001. what my mother doesn’t know. Ill. by Charise Mericle Harper. New York: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. ISBN 0689841140

PLOT SUMMARY
This second book of poetry by Sones follows her character Sophie through her, “boy crazy” high school career. Also, Sophie tells the reader about her life, to include the events in her home, with her best friends—Grace and Rachel, her different episodes with her male companions, and then her first mature love.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The rhythm of this novel of verse has a combination of rhyming and free verse. It juggles between short, choppy phrasing in some passages. However in others, it reads aloud as a regular story or colloquial pattern of speech--written very close to a natural rhythm of a spoken teenage language.

The imagery of this novel leads the reader to actual visualization of the conflicts and the happiness of the main character, Sophie...from light satire with her friends to the issues of a failing marriage between her parents, and the neglect of attention from her mother. A very surprising element of the story is further illustrated by the jacket illustration--which sublimely tells the reader about the most significant relationship in the book. The description of Murphy's Room:"...he's got one whole wall done up like a huge bulletin board...he's covered it with sketches...and these headlines from trashy papers that say things like: psychic lobster earns gambler four million...” After reading that bit of poetry, the reader is given the spoiler of the whole novel...it lets the reader know that Murphy (also known as Robin) is her first true love. I really enjoyed reading this novel in verse. I can see the appeal that it can potentially have on the young adult. It had such an emotional impact in various areas of the novel that draws out the familiar connection of reality between the everyday relationships that we are all exposed.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST review: “Many teens will see themselves, and they’ll cheer when Sophie and Robin thwart the bullies and reclaim their social standing. Like Sones’ other titles, this is a great choice for reluctant and avid readers alike.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Written as a novel in verse, this title is a fast-paced, page-turning romp that gives authentic voice to male youth even when it is painfully truthful.”

CONNECTIONS
Other engaging books of poetry for teenagers and young adults:
Hopkins, Ellen. Crank. ISBN 0689865198
Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog. ISBN 0064409597


BIBLIOGRAPHY
O’Connell George, Kristine. 2005. Fold Me A Poem. Ill. by Lauren Stringer. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152025014

PLOT SUMMARY
This book introduces the reader to the world of Origami—paper folding. A zoo of animals is created by the hands of a child and is given life through his imagination. This book captures the simple play that engages a young child through poetry.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations in this book definitely draw the reader into the world of Origami and a child's imagination. This book of poetry also has an alternating pattern of free verse rhythm and rhyming tendencies. In some stanzas, the style of rhyme is presented either first, in the middle, or listed last. One particular passage comes to mind of the variations of rhythm, "Snake: Folding a snake? Need advice? Be precissssssse"--which also cleverly mimics the sound of a snake.

The style of language use is very surprising and unconventional. The author notes that she was inspired by viewing a child practicing the art of Origami--to which inspired the writing of the book. Through George's careful use of language and punctuation a pace and tempo can be heard when read aloud. The emotion felt within each poem sparks a playful, inquisitive nature that will appeal to the young reader.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “A dazzling celebration of imagination...Each turn of the page brings a clever new perspective or insight-even humor.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “…a cornucopia of poetry that you can use to beef up your library collections, to introduce to your children.”

CONNECTIONS
Pratchett, Terry. Only You Can Save Mankind. ISBN 0060541857
Bennett Hopkins, Lee. Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More. ISBN 0060007664


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 2004. What is goodbye? Ill. by Raul Colon. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786807784

PLOT SUMMARY
This sensitive collection of poems was written in the voices of Jerilyn and Jesse—a sister and brother who have lost their older brother. It showcases the ways that they cope with the event. The older brother, Jaron, dies at a young age and leaves the household to grieve…of course, to include the mother and the father.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book shows the reader the several stages of mourning (e.g., denial, anger, etc.). The illustrations are very vivid and help in the expression of the turmoil, sadness, and happiness of the memories shared between Jerilyn, Jessie, Jaron, and the parents. The emotion from the poems presented is certain to invoke feelings from the reader.

The poems alternate between Jessie and Jerilyn--each titled the same but written to reflect the age of each child. Jessie's poems are almost in a full rhyming pattern. On the other hand, Jerilyn's style is a combination of rhyme and free verse--which shows her higher maturity level than her younger brother, Jessie. The poems describe the siblings' feelings in episodic memories with their parents, Jaron, and the community. It is a powerful book of poems that can help any person, of any age cope with the tragedy of losing a loved one. It even addresses the fact that everyone grieves in their own way and on their own time. Jessie's poem best describes that, "Buck up! Be brave! Get over it! Those words make me just want to spit. Folks wind my sadness...like a clock. Time's up, they say...Forget your tears...You've cried enough...they're telling me my heart is wrong for hurting past the date they set? Well I'm not ready to move on yet." Grimes does a great job of allowing the reader to witness the different levels and ways of mourning--which will help the reader cope in a similar situation.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Anyone who has experienced loss will recognize the gamut of emotions Grimes lays out here. Insightfully and concisely, Grimes traces the stages of grief and healing…portrait of a loving family coping, alone and together, with their grief.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Grimes’ novella in verse is a prime example of how poetry and story can be combined to extend one another.”

BOOKLIST review: “Moving and wise, these are poems that beautifully capture a family’s heartache as well as the bewildering questions that death brings.”

CONNECTIONS
Yeomans, Ellen. Rubber Houses. ISBN 031610647X
Turner, Ann W. Hard Hit. ISBN 0439296803

AWARDS
• William Allen White Children’s Book Award
• A 2005 ALA Notable Children's Book
• SLJ Best Book of 2004
• Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2004
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005
• One of “Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for children” 2005
• A VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers 2004
• Selected for New York Library’s 'Children’s Books, 2004-100 Titles for Reading and Sharing'