Poetry Paws--Module Three

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grandits, John. 2004. Technically, It's Not My Fault. Ill. by John Grandits. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN-13: 978-0-618-42833-5.

SUMMARY
This book of concrete poetry is packed full of imaginative poems that will entertain smart-alecks of all ages. There are 28 poems total with each written with the main character, Robert, as the narrator and driver of each poem. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
My first thought about the layout, illustrations, and poem structures was...COOL! This book provides the reader with excellent examples of multiple possibilities of concrete (shape) poem structure. Red, black, and white illustrations lend direction to how the poetry should be read from start to finish. This book has great potential to appeal to the misunderstood geniuses out there in the world. The main character is a boy--expressing his thoughts and antics--from sibling rivalry to challenging adult authority, to which will definitely appeal to boys alike. All children of school age, no matter the gender, can appreciate the commonalities expressed within the poetry of this book. My Stupid Day is one of those gender neutral poems that can appeal to both sexes--as well as all ages. It completely exemplifies the typical rut that we all find ourselves stuck in on a daily basis. This poem would be great when read aloud about three to four times to feel the full effect of the rut. :-)

For a closer view, click pic to enlarge

Introduction: This book is hilarious and would be a great book of concrete poetry to introduce to older school age children--to encourage a love for poetry.

Extension: Have children draw a picture of a favorite toy, item, or symbol that reflects something significant in their past or present. Then, have them construct their own shape poem within their drawing. Expose the children to about two additional concrete poetry books from different authors to compare different styles.



BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hauth, Katherine B. 2011. What's for Dinner?: Quirky, Squirmy Poems from the Animal World. Ill. by David Clark. Massachusetts: Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1570914713.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 2010. A Girl Named Mister. Michigan: Zondervan. ISBN-13: 978-0-310-72078-2.

SUMMARY
This novel in verse for teen readers is a grand achievement that captures the contemporary inner emotional love and turmoil that young teen girls have to face nowadays. The main character, Mary (also known as Mister) has the added stress of battling her Christian faith and values in relation to sexual activity choices--to abstain or to give in to temptation. Of course, there are consequences to the choices that we make and this book addresses those as well.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This verse novel is a cleverly depicted conundrum of Christian values and biblical inspired inserts as well as life-changing choices--good and bad. This book will appeal especially to young female adults and teenagers that are struggling with thoughts of abstinence, promiscuity, infatuation, and the true level of commitment of some young men. It will serve as a great relationship guide--for the reader--of what to do and what not to do in relation to teenage sexual activity decision-making. Grimes does a great job of correlating biblical-inspired fictional expression with modern day colloquial dialect to further appeal to the younger generation of readers. She also used contemporary music references to further tell Mister's story. This verse novel is very didactic in its way to discourage teen pregnancy and promiscuity. Grimes displays a Latin quote in the prologue that expresses the moral of the story that all readers can ponder and benefit from, "be careful about starting something you may regret"--Syrus, Maxims. Grimes explicitly expresses the double-mindedness, the lure of temptation, and the flirting with danger prior to making the ultimate decision to lose one's virginity. Just Us is just one of the many poems that illustrates that.

Just Us (excerpt)

Alone at his house,

his parents I don't know where,

we sit on the sofa,

the TV watching the heat

rising between us.

I tingle all over

as Trey closes the distance.

It's okay,

I tell myself.

I won't let it go

too far.

But before I know it, 

his hand is rubbing my...

Introduction/Extension: This book can be tricky to introduce to a young audience. Before, encouraging reading of this material solicit the school guidelines and seek parental permission. If permission is granted then proceed with caution. Seek approval of all activities prior to engaging students.

This is a poetry evaluation for LS 5663 Poetry For Children and Young Adults--a class at Texas Woman's University (TWU).