Genre 3, Poetry Books: Something on My Mind

(Amazon)

Bibliographic Information
Grimes, Nikki. 1978. SOMETHING ON MY MIND. Ill. by Tom Feelings. New York, New York: Dial books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0803702736.

Plot and Critical Analysis
Each poem is from a different point of view, yet all seem to be from the same neighborhood, the same feeling, and the same feelings of isolation. While a few focus on friends and belonging, most poems long for an unknown place or missing person. Some are hopeful and some seem to already have given up and are accepting to circumstances - poor, ignored, alone. Short and brief, each poem seems more of a diary entry, something one wouldn't want to share, but something that expresses one's most inner thoughts and doubts. It is a brief collection, but leaves the reader feeling sad for each child speaking the poems. Even the few happy ones have elements of sadness: missing someone, realizing youth has an end.

The text of each poem is different, as if spoken by a different child. There is no set rhyme or rhythm, which actually leads to the feeling of it as a collection of children's thoughts. There are common elements in both the words and Feelings illustrations - neighborhood, loneliness, impatience. The emotion is high. Even if the poems aren't meant to evoke empathy, they do as one can not ignore the abandonment felt by many children who live with hardships. Tom Feelings illustrations are personal, simple, touching, and depressing. Eyes appear to be glazed over or looking away from the reader, supporting the words "waiting", "lonely" and sadness as they appear throughout the text. His illustrations are a bit haunting, but even without the illustrations, the reader can feel each child definitely has something on his/her mind. While it may not be a recognized award winner, Something on my Mind should easily be considered a classic for the insights into a community it offers as well as showing common feelings of childhood that many children may be able to relate.

Awards and Reviews
Coretta Scott King Award

Publisher's Weekly:
...the artist and the lyricist couldn't reveal the thoughts of the boys and girls here more acutely if they were inside their subjects' skins."
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

There were no available reviews from NoveList through Ebscohost, Nikki Grimes' website, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.com other than what is already mentioned.

Connections
Poetry can be simple truths and exhibit honest feelings. These poems are very personal about life, childhood, and waiting for the future. If teachers or parents wanted to encourage written exploration to their children, then this book would easily help to not only encourage a child's writing, but also encourage children to share their own feelings of isolation and confusion of the world. Even the illustrations themselves could show a new art form to children. The simplicity of pencil or charcoal on paper in a world of cable television and over-stimulation could offer a refreshing, yet simple form of expression as well as a new outlet to any child or adolescent.

Similar Readings
Bronzeville Boys and Girls (Gwendolyn Brooks): Similar poetry about neighborhoods, childhood experiences, and similar illustrations in the original print.
Daydreams (Tom Feelings): A continuation with the dreaming of childhood and illustrations by Feelings, but also an example to show the illustrator turned poet in these poems of daydreamers.