by John Grandits
Houghton Mifflin, 2004
GENRE: Poetry
HONORS: ALA
Notable Book for Children, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Book Links
Lasting Connection, Book Sense Top Ten Poetry List, CCBC Choice, NCTE Notable
Children’s Book in the Language Arts, VOYA Poetry Pick, Young Hoosier (IN) Book
Award Nominee
REVIEW: 11-year-old
Robert uses his unique poetic style to both illustrate and explain the ups and
downs of middle school. The poems are not only words, but are often written in
a way that takes an actual shape that add significantly to Robert’s poems. With
titles like “My Sister is Crazy,” “The Autobiography of Murray the Fart,” and
“It’s Not Fair,” Robert’s poems are sure to intrigue and entertain.
OPINION: Poetry
is a tough genre to get to appeal to tweens and teens, but books like this make
poetry fun and interesting. This book can show them that poetry doesn’t have to
be dull, or emotional, or whatever claims are being made, but that it can be
fun and interesting.
IDEAS: I would definitely like to do a lesson and/or program on poetry and use this book as an example of one of the many ways poetry can be crafted as both a visual and literary art. It would also work really well in a poetry display for tweens.
No comments:
Post a Comment