Bibliography

The following is a complete bibliography all poetry books consulted for this blog from January 2009-May 2009.

Fields, Terri. 2002. After the Death of Anna Gonzales. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 0-8050-7127-X.

Florian, Douglas. 2003. Autmnblings. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0060092788.

Giovanni, Nikki. 2008. Hip Hop Speaks to Children A Celebration of Poetry With a Beat. Illinois: Sourcebooks. ISBN 978-1402210488.

Grandits, John. 2007. Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0618568604.

Grimes, Nikki. 2001. A Pocketful of Poems. Illus Javaka Steptoe. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0395938683.

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2004. Days to Celebrate A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More. Illus Stephen Alcorn. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0060007652.

Janeczko, Paul B. 2005. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms. Illus Chris Raschka. Massachusetts: Candlewick. ISBN 978-0763606626.

Katz, Bobbi. 2007. Trailblazers: Poems of Exploration. Illus Carin Berger. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0688165338.

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. 2003. Paul Revere's Ride. Illus Monica Vachula. Pennsylvania: Boyds Mill Press, Inc. ISBN 1563977990.

Lowe, Ayana. 2008. Come and Play: Children of Our World Having Fun. New York: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books. ISBN 978-1-59990-245-6.

Martin Jr., Bill and Michael Sampson. 2008. The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. ISBN 978-1416939719.

Nesbitt, Kenn. 2005. When the Teacher Isn't Looking And Other Funny School Poems. New York: Meadowbrook. ISBN 978-0684031286.

Ruddell, Deborah. 2009. A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. Illus Joan Rankin. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1416942115.

Sones, Sonya. 2004. One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies. Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 9780689858208.

Thomas, Joyce Carol. 2008. The Blacker the Berry. Illus Floyd Cooper. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0060253769.

Wong, Janet S. 1996. A Suitcase of Seaweed and Other Poems. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0689807886.

Module 6: Poetry Choice: Poetry by Children

Lowe, Ayana. 2008. Come and Play: Children of our World Having Fun. New York: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books. ISBN 978-1-59990-245-6.



This collection of poems edited by Ayana Lowe were written by children who were inspired by pictures from Magnum Photos. The photos span different eras and capture children at play from all over the world.
The following is a a Poem written by a child after viewing a photo of children playing tag in Baghdad, Iraq, 2003.

Tag

In tag, you improve your running.
You improve your escape time.
When you are playing tag,
you are in a whole other world.
Nothing else coud be better.

This poem is especially moving because the photo was taken in Iraq, where we usually only hear about mayhem. It's good to show that children will find a way to play no matter what their circumstances may be.

Extension:

Instruct students to bring 1-2 photographs from home. Put all the photographs into an envelope and randomly select one. Encourage children to write a poem, paragraph or short story based on the selected photograph. Continue this on a weekly basis until all the photographs have been selected. Allow students to post their interpretations on a bulletin board in the classroom/library around the featured photograph.

Module 6: Poetry Review: Paul Janeczko

Janeczko, Paul B. 2005. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms. Illus Chris Raschka. Massachusetts: Candlewick. ISBN: 978-0763606626.





Paul Janeczko's spirited book of poetry showcases 29 different types of poems, ranging from the couplet to the pantoum. Each poetic form has at least one example, followed by a short, simple explanation. For those wanting more details on specific poetic forms, there is a 'Notes on the Forms' section in the back of the book.

A fun example of a tercet is an untitled poem by Joan Bransfield Graham (p.12):

Kitchen crickets make a din,
sending taunts to chilly kin,
"You're outside, but we got in."

Chris Raschka's bright, splashy illustrations make this much more than an educational book; the colorful collages help make this an exciting and hip book of poetry.

Children ages 9-12 will enjoy this anthology while experiencing new types of poetry.

Module 6: Poetry Break: Serious Poem

Fields, Terri. 2002. After the Death of Anna Gonzales. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 0-8050-7127-X.






This collection of poems by Terri Fields takes on the serious issue of suicide. She provides many different poetic reactions/responses to the news of Anna Gonzales' suicide. An especially complex poem in this collection is written through the eyes of fellow student, Lauren Reynolds:

Lauren Reynolds
by Terry Fields

Since September,
I sat one seat behind Anna in algebra.
Passed papers to her every day.
Studied for tons of tests together.

Though it often seemed impossible,
Eventually,
We always found the unknown for X.

But not this time.
This equation
Bounces against my brain.
And sneers at all attempted answers.

I know I'll re-examine the variables,
And reanalyze the unknowns, maybe forever.
But
It won't matter.

Because, Anna-
I know I'll never figure out Y.

Y you didn't want to live-
And Y I never noticed.

This poem generates a feeling of heart-breaking confusion, especially with the math parallel. Anna Gonzales could have been nothing more than an equation that could not be solved.

Extension:

Encourage students to make a list of 'positives'; for example, a list of positive words/adjectives that make them feel good or a list of people who make them feel good about themselves etc. Allow students to share their lists with eachother in small groups.

Suggest to students that they keep a journal to write down their feelings (bad and good) instead of trying to hold their feelings in.

Module 5: Poetry Choice: Newer Book

Ruddell, Deborah. 2009. A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. Illus Joan Rankin. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4169-4211-5.





Lively font and luminous watercolors help deliver the clever poetry of Deborah Ruddell found in A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. One can almost smell the forest described in Eau De Forest: A Woodsy Cologne.

EAU DE FOREST:
A WOODSY COLOGNE
Deborah Ruddell

It's spiderwebs
and dogwood trees,
a muddy trail,
a blue-green breeze.

A nest, a leaf,
a sycamore trunk.
A whiff of pine,
a hint of skunk.

Ruddell's imagery-laden poem provides an original interpretation of the scents waiting to be discovered within the depths of a bustling forest.

Extension

Have children create a list of the scents found in their classroom, library or home and then describe them through a poem or piece of art. Allow them to share their poems/art work with eachother.

Module 5: Poetry Review: New Book

Thomas, Joyce Carol. 2008. The Blacker the Berry. Illus Floyd Cooper. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-025376-9.








Thomas's poems spotlight the abundantly distinctive shades of black, metaphorically incorporating various berries to punctuate her point. Children ages 9-12 will find beauty and inspiration in Thomas's poetic free verse. An example of the power her poetry exudes can be found in Snowberries.

Snowberries
Joyce Carol Thomas

I look white
I am as light
as snowberries in fall

"I walk that walk
I talk that talk"

Yet
Still some say
"You're not really Black!"

The words cut deep down
Beyond the bone
Beneath my snowy skin
Deep down where no one can see
I bleed the "one drop of blood"
That makes Black me

And I want to be as black
as midnight
and moonless water
So no words can wound me

Still I'm thankful
For all the blood drops I got
In my mind
Even one drop's a lot

Further enhancing Thomas's elegant, artistic poetry are the full-page illustrations by Floyd Cooper. He captures the spirit of each poem, bringing the narrators to life. This 2009 recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award will speak volumes to those children lucky enough to read it.

Module 5: Poetry Break: Refrain

Martin Jr., Bill and Michael Sampson. 2008. The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. ISBN 978-1-4169-3971-9.








Bill Martin Jr. is best known for his timeless light-hearted and rhythmic picture books. Even since his death in 2004, he is still cherished by children and adults. One cannot help but think of Martin's ability to write/tell a story when reading his poem, Once Upon a Time, found in the Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry (p. 80).

Once Upon a Time
Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson

The Storyteller came to town
To share his gifts sublime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

Onceupona
Onceupona
Onceuponatime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

Doors flew open to him,
Kings begged him not depart,
And children tucked his stories In the pockets of their heart,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

Onceupona
Onceupona
Onceuponatime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

He told of scary ghosts
And of witches who became toast,
Of knights of old And outlaws bold.
Oh

Onceupona
Onceupona
Onceuponatime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again.

The art of storytelling is appreciated by anyone who has the chance to experience a great story. The refrain (...Tell it again, Storyteller, Tell it again, Onceupona Onceupona Onceuponatime...) gives Martin's poem about a storyteller a song-like quality. It expertly captures the desire of a captive audience who show good stories never die.

Extension

Share poetic picture books written by Bill Martin, Jr. (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?)

Encourage children to write down, share or act out a story they have never forgotten; for those wanting more of a challenge, have them write a poem based on their favorite story or author.