Module 4: Biographical Poetry - Coretta Scott

Bibliographic Information
Shange, Ntozake. CORETTA SCOTT. Paintings by Kadir Nelson. Washington, D.C. Katherine Tegen Books. ISBN: 9780061253645.

Summary and Analysis
The text begins with a calm summer morning from Coretta Scott's childhood and covers her growing up and introduction into her adult life. Throughout the text her belief in equality and her focus on improving people's lives is present through the lines of text and the gorgeous paintings. It touches upon the civil rights movement with the Montgomery bus boycott and sit ins, which are subtle introductions to an important part of our history.

The style is free verse and flows like a long thought. This brief introduction into her life is told more as a story telling and less of a biographical passage, which fits not only with the words but with the message of hope and determination. Struggles are addressed and hardships shown, yet it is Coretta Scott's hope and faith that is the emotion the reader is left with. A few of the pages seem to jump to a different thought without an easy progression, but that is not enough to take away from this beautiful look into a special woman's life.

The paintings are more like images seen outside a window. Most are close up as if the reader is sitting with the subjects or is nearby. This makes the story of Coretta Scott's life more personable. The paintings are haunting, colorful, and the faces are large. In some the faces of Coretta and her siblings as children will be as large as the children reading the book. For those that want to know more about Coretta than is provided in the poem, there is a a biography and photo of her offered in the back of the book.

Highlighted Poem

Martin Luther King Jr. a young preacher
prayed for freedom
Coretta prayed
two minds attracted in prayer
yes they could do something
among the many
who thought moral power
would overturn Jim Crow
they prayed together
found joy
and were married

Connections
Biographical poetry offers an educational opportunity to showcase a significant person as well as important times of history. This text is no different. If educators are doing a lesson on biographies, poetry could be brought into it with similar texts. Or for annual events such as Black History Month, biographical poetry could be inserted to the theme as well. In addition, the cultural history of the eras portrayed in biographies offer a chance for teachers to expand on social studies or geography as well as a biographical focus.

Module 4: Social Studies Poetry - The Brothers' War: Civil War Voices in Verse

Bibliographic Information
Lewis, J. Patrick. THE BROTHERS' WAR: CIVIL WAR VOICES IN VERSE. National Geographic Children's Books. ISBN: 9781426300363

Summary and Analysis

With photos provided by the Library of Congress, Table of Contents and introduction, and Bibliography in the back, this book provides a scholarly overview to a poetic representation of the Civil War. It is deeply moving and provides an insider's look at the trials of war, perspective of soldiers, hardships of those enslaved, and with each poem there is a photograph of someone from the era. These photographs at times speaking louder than words not only due to haunting stares but because they are photographs and not illustrations which provides the reader with a human look into the struggles of lives and those influenced by war. Children will not be able to read this book and not feel some form of respect or wonder to this era. They may be drawn to the young faces of soldiers, or the injustice of slavery, but they will be drawn to this text and these photographs.

With each poem comes a following paragraph which goes in detail about the subject in which the poem was focused. These educational paragraphs provide dates, statistics, and are a great way facts are linked to poetry. There is a variety to styles from rhyme to free verse to even dialect in the exchange between Letter from Home and Letter Home.

Highlighted Poem
The Raider

Against a barbarous slave trade,
I swore with my last breath
Twenty-one worthies, black and white
And unafraid of death,

Would take the Armory that night.
We fought outmanned, outgunned,
And could not hold the prize though we
Had permanently stunned

Savage bigots everywhere.
We swung for it, but Lee,
That vile coward, must accept
Responsibility.

Let all the hired guns of hate
Punish this old John Brown.
The dam they opened up will flood
With blood until they drown.

In truth I am a white man,
In sympathy a black.
But for this rope, I might have seen
Us win our freedom back.

Connections
The connections offered with this book to other texts, topics, or sources are limitless. One could address the history of the war, covering the historical elements and key figures, or one could address the personal side of this and find autobiographical accounts. In the back of the book is a timeline and map identifying capitals and major battles. This is a book of poetry focused on social studies providing any teacher or librarian with tools in which to expand upon the poems whether by focusing on locations, personal stories, facts, or the wonderful photographs.

Module 4: Science Poetry - Science Verse

Bibliographic Information
Scieszka, Jon. Ills. by Lane Smith. SCIENCE VERSE. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780670910571.

Summary and Analysis
In this imaginative book, a student begins to hear everying as a science verse after his teacher said that if students listened, they would hear the poetry of science. The remainder of the book goes onto scientific poetry alluding to some very famous poems and songs such as "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe, "Casey at the Bat", "Twas the Night Before Christas", "It's raining, it's pouring". There is even a section titled "Why Scientists Don't Write Nursery Rhymes" which includes "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick. Jack jump over the combustion reaction of O2+ heat + fuel to form CO2 + light + heat +exhaust." In the end, he awakes in class no longer dreaming in science verse.

The poems are funny, clever, and entertaining. They would be enjoyed read silently or aloud. Words flow easily, sounds are comical, and science lessons emerge from colorful, light hearted poems. The final page offers observations commenting on allusions of Science Verse, but gives a bibliography of the original poems or nursery rhymes these scientific poems were referencing.

Highlighted Poem

Twink -

Thinkle-less, twinkle-less
Spot of black,
In the starry
Zodiac.

Sucking in all
Matter and light.
Turning sunshine
Into night.

Twinkle-less, twinkle-less-
LOST CONTROL!
Now we're trapped in
the black hole.

Connections
Sciene poetry would be fun to incorporate in the library whether in a display about science where biographies or scientists or explorers, nonfiction books, and poetry could all combine to show how one can learn about science from different formats. Also, a program could be designed around science with easy experiments (water experiments, making Gak (the oozy substance that students can stretch), or other child (and library) friendly, fizzy, colorful, surprising experiments.

Module 3: 2011 Poetry - Twosomes

Bibliographic Information
Singer, Marilyn. Ills. by Lee Wildish. TWOSOMES. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 9780375867101

Summary and Analysis
These fifteen poems may be only two lines each, but are sweet and specific to the animal the poem is intended. Whether adding an animal trait, such as chameleons changing color, or a word pun ("Come leap with me and be my wife. You're the porpoise of my life." in Dolphins), these short poems are fun for children and adults alike, so the book appeals to all ages. While younger audiences will enjoy the funny rhymes that focus on love, the adults will catch the wittiness and puns. Poems have a natural flow with short, simple rhymes that are still clever. It evokes silliness and happiness in what appears as childlike rhymes, but are actually clever and knowledgeable rhymes. These love poems are consistent for each animal from around the animal kingdom and it will certainly put anyone in a loving mood, and possibly lead someone to spend some extra time with a pet.

The illustrations are cute and colorful, small and comical. It's a sweet little book that could be given to anyone of any age as Valentine's present or simply for the love of poetry.

Highlighted Poems
Caterpillars

"I'm finding a leaf. You're taking a bite.
Wait a few weeks and our hearts will take flight."

Porcupines
"Hugging you takes some practice.
So I'll start out with a cactus."

Connections
The poems are only two lines which would allow young children an example of poetry on a level in which they could grasp this genre. It also offers examples on a level in which a child could mimic. Five year olds can think of rhyming words and would possibly be able to take a trait from an animal they like and create a brief poem. This book would be a great introduction that would not make poetry intimidating or boring. It centers on the emotion of love, but also on the popular topic of animals. Both of these are elements a child can understand. Sometimes the explanations can be short and direct and the poems in Twosomes are short and clear examples of a type of poetry that all ages can understand.

Module 3: Verse Novel - Zorgamazoo

Bibliographic Information
Weston, Robert Paul. ZORGAMAZOO. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9781595141996.

Summary and Analysis
Split between two worlds, this novel focuses on one human world of Katrina Katrell who is especially curious and clever and that of a world of personified animals who live beneath the humans. Katrina is adventurous while Morty, a Zorgle, is not. But when the Zorgles of Zorgamazoo disappear their worlds collide. While Katrina accepts a new adventure after escaping her caregiver, who calls in a doctor to perform a lobotomy, Morty reluctantly must go investigate the disappearance of the Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. As this due travels they meet a survivor from Zorgamazoo. The trio is later captured by the same flying creatures (actually machines) that took the citizens of Zorgamazoo. It ends up creatures and beasties from all around Earth have been captured by Dullbert Hohummer the third and locked up on the moon. Dullbert's home planet is loosing their energy resource - Tedium Steam - and in order to capture more, they need humans to have no excitement or imaginative experiences in their lives, as the energy produced by excitement blocks Tedium Steam. In boredom, the humans release dullness into the air, which Dullbert can collect and feed his planet. Thus, he is capturing mermaids, dragons, and Zorgles - all creatures that shock and amaze humans.

Through teamwork and Katrina's cleverness, the creatures are returned to earth by Dullbert after Katrina shows him that more power is released by humans when they are amazed or awed than bored. She convinces him this Enchantaium Gas is stronger than Tedium Steam. Therefore, Earth once again has their creatures of wonder and Katrina and Morty return to life with the Zorgles underground.

This verse novel would appeal to kids who like to read and enjoy a little creativity. Both the text and the plot are original, yet kids can relate to it. The language is funny and fast, which could be as enjoyable to read silently or aloud. In its 281 pages, the rhyming never stops, which only aids in the storytelling aspect of reading out loud.

The rhyming that remains throughout this verse novel is quick, clever, and enjoyable. The plot continues to move forward, which is impressive as the couplets vary in length and rhyming words. This book would appeal to younger audiences especially if read aloud as the tone resembles longer Dr. Seuss rhymes with invented words mixed in with real words. The fantasy of Zorgles and creatures add an imaginative element, while the evil Dr. LeFang and his "Cranial Puncturing Mincer of Mind" offer a serious tone and emotion in the middle of whimsical rhymes.

Language is enhanced by the occasional spiraling, bold, and various fonts used with the rhymes. The text is very visual and the overall story is creative and visual with creative sketches beginning each chapter.

Highlighted Poem

"Listen," she said. "I don't mean to pry,
but I'd sure like to give an adventure a try.
I always wanted to travel, to ramble and roam,
but old Krabby won't let me. She keeps me at home.
So this is my chance, I'm off on my own.
I can travel the world! Explore the unknown!"

Morty thought for a moment. He paced in a loop.
He went moping around in a sort of a stoop.
"Wait a second," he said. "Are you actually sure?
If you join me, who knows what we'll have to endure..."

"Of course!" said Katrina. "I could give you a hand.
I could help you to make it to Zorgamaland.
I'm good with a map and I'm quick on my feet.
Who knows? Perhaps we were destined to meet!"

Connections

Verse novels are probably new to most students, and even adults. They are a type of poetry that may be easier to understand than traditional poems as they have a longer plot that develops into a story that the reader has time to understand. If this was someone's introduction to the verse novel, it would be a great one. It could lead to writing exercise where a reader was asked to create a passage from their favorite novel into a verse novel. It would also open the readers eyes to a new type of literature, not only with reading juvenile and young adult books, but recognizing and appreciating a new form of poetry. These books would make for great reading aloud or audio books for children to hear the flow of poetry as well as experience poetic elements in a longer format than traditional poetry.

Module 3: Poetic Form - Zombie Haiku

Bibliographic Information
Mecum, Ryan. ZOMBIE HAIKU. Cincinnati, OH:F+W Publications. ISBN: 9781600610707.

Summary and Analysis

Mecum focuses on the form of haiku for this humorous, and at times grotesque, collection. It begins with a journal entry of a boy named Chris, possibly the last human, locked in an airport bathroom with "a journal, a pen, and an arm of a dead man who came alive and died again." Following the form of haiku, all poems are short with the 5 syllable first line, 7 syllable second line, and 5 syllable 3rd line pattern while at the same time telling a new scene from page to page. The pattern remains even as the main narrator turns into a zombie. The quality of these poems is high as they are definitely original, use language in a unique way, and leads the reader to imagine very detailed images and scenes.

These poems have a special audience. Their appeal is mostly in the grotesque topics of flesh eating zombies and decaying flesh, but even those readers who may not care for the images can enjoy the creativity and, at times, humor. They stimulate a variety of thoughts as the narrator's day began just like any other day, but then proceeds to get worse and more unusual. Teenagers and adults will both like these poems, though the gruesome details may lead to some not finishing the book.

Illustrations are more than sketches in this twisted book. There are blood splatters, photos of the living dead, hair folicles, and finger nails. In other words, this is a poetry book that draws the reader into the plot both with the text and the visual elements.


Highlighted Poem

Our group slowly thins.
One by one, we slip away.
off looking elsewhere.

Nothing left but bones
Blood stains each building corner
which some of us lick.

Down the empty streets,
my gurgles echo off walls
to which I moan back.

Connections

Instead of focusing on the theme (zombies), which would probably not be age appropriate for most groups, one could teach haiku or on the transforming of the narrator. Other methods would be to choose a theme and have all the students write a haiku based around that theme. Thus creating a class anthology. I also really enjoyed how this can provide a great example to the variety of poetry out in the world. It needn't all be nature poems or contemplating poems, but sometimes they are simply entertaining and a fun read. It would be difficult to find someone who says they don't like poetry to not enjoy poetry a bit more after reading this book.

Module 2: Florian Poetry - Zoo's Who

Bibliographic Information
Florian, Douglas. ZOO'S WHO. Ills. by Douglas Florian. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc. 978-0152046392.

Summary and Analysis
This collection features poems that are short, sweet, and to the point. Animals are described in funny rhymes, educational lines, and short stanzas. Common knowledge is shared as well as a few possibly unknown facts. Florian takes a visual element with his writing to include a dip or curve in a word with shaping the letters which children will find amusing in pattern. While most poems rhyme in small sentences, there seems to be a rhythmic pattern specific for each animal. Each poem takes on stereotypes of animals (or what we imagine the animals to be like). In the case of The Tortoise this is seen with pauses in the poem that seem to portray a slow motion, much like how the tortoises move. These poems would be short and simple enough for any child to memorize over time if read. The poems flow in ones mind or off of one's tongue if read aloud. They are comfortable to read and to say.

Douglas Florian also illustrates the corresponding painting with each poem. They are often simple, yet fitting for each. What is a hidden gem in each is that he incorporates other types of art in his paintings - clippings, typed words, and partial pictures which, along with the poems, makes every page unique and stimulating. With the illustrations and entertaining poetry, this collection is quality for parents and children.

Highlighted Poem
The Tortoise

Patience.
Persistence.
The will to endure.
The tortoise
Has taught us
All this
And more.

Connections

This collection could easily be incorporated in different elements of a school day or library program. First, writing brief poems about animals or reptiles may provide a child with not only a poetic experience, but as most kids like animals it would also provide the opportunity for read aloud poems or repeat poems. This would encourage the social aspect of poetry that is often neglected. Another way to incorporate this collection into a lesson plan or program would be to focus on Florian's paintings of using mixed media. Children could create their own paintings or collages of any subject and write a poem of their art. It would still be inspired by Florian, but it would be a different way to focus on this poet, showing students that there is more than one way to appreciate poetry.