LS 5663 Spring 2012 Mod 3 Verse Novel

Module 3

Kinds of Poetry-Verse Novel

Bibliographic information:

Havill, Juanita, and Stanislawa Kodman. Grow: a novel in verse. Atlanta: Peachtree, 2008. ISBN: 9781561454419

Review:

Juanita Havill published her first children’s book in 1986. The following year she was awarded the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer award. In Grow: A Novel in Verse, she uses metaphors, similes and other figurative language to expertly evoke emotions and images in her readers. Descriptive phrases such as, “can almost hear his brain thinking”, “my stomach hollow with pain” and “his scream has the power of pain times three” help readers to understand the depth of each character’s thoughts or reactions. Her short, expressive style draws readers in and helps to further connect them to the main characters and plot of the novel. Most readers will relate to the troubles of Havill’s characters but all will empathize with their plights. Every poem expresses the growing and changing that occurs in the neighborhood garden and in the lives of the characters. The novel is a series of single titled poems arranged to tell the beginning, middle and end of the story of Berneetha, Darleen and Harlan as they grow and tend to a small urban garden. It is sparsely illustrated with sketches and drawings by Stanislawa Kodman. Although there is pagination and the titles for each poem are in bold type, there is no index or table of contents to help readers find a specific poem.

Highlighted Poem:

page 157 only

The Last Poem is Really the First

I stare at the notebook paper,

thin blue lines

that I’m supposed

to be writing on,

pink up-and-down stripes

to keep me

from scribbling

across the margin.

But we’re supposed

to write poems

today-

long lines all the way to and even

across the pink line if we want,

or short lines

if

we

want.

Introduction/Activity:

4th grade: descriptive writing

Share a few poems from the novel such as Going Shopping on page 51 and Secrets on page 99, and ask students to respond to the descriptions of the clothing or Berneetha’s appearance. Give each student a blank piece of lined notebook paper. As students study the piece of paper, read the first part of The Last Poem is Really the Last on page 157. Have students choose one item from a group of familiar items you have on display to study and write six statements that describe the object.

LS 5663 Spring 2012 Mod 3 Poetic Form

Module 3



Kinds of Poetry-Poetic Form


Bibliographic information:

Clements, Andrew, and Tim Bowers. Dogku. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007. ISBN: 9780689858239

Review:

Andrew Clements is a well-known author of children’s literature. Although he is not as well known for his poetry, he has a tremendous talent for writing Haiku. Having published over fifty books for children, Clements wrote fifteen well-crafted Haikus just for this publication. In Dogku, readers learn what the world can look like to a lonely, stray dog. Clements’ use of influential, descriptive and emotional language allows readers some insight into Mooch’s perspective of homelessness. The result is a funny, hopeful and heartwarming story to which readers can relate. Events that we see as ordinary and necessary to daily human life are strange, confusing and a little scary to the little stray looking for a family. Arranged to flow as a single story of events spanning a few days, two page illustrations surround one poem in this traditional thirty two page picture book format. Tim Bowers’ oil on canvas illustrations add warmth and specific detail to the meager Haiku style. There is no table of contents, index or pagination. However, the author’s note teaches, models and encourages Haiku writing as Clements explains how he got “hooked on Haiku” years ago.



Highlighted Poem:

Nose out the window,

Ears flapping, hair pushed straight back.

Adventures in smell.

Possible emotional reactions: active, excited, curious

Categorized as: Thought provoking or intriguing


Introduction/Activity:

6th grade: connecting with literature/vocabulary development

Working in small groups and using resources such as dictionaries and thesauri, have students choose words to describe different emotional reactions they might have to a story or poem. Allow each group to share and discuss the meanings and synonyms for their words with the whole class. Read Dogku and allow students to describe the images and emotions that are strongest for them overall. In small groups have students categorize five of the Haikus from the book in regards to the descriptive words they discovered while working in small groups or during another group’s share out.

LS 5663 Spring 2012 Mod 3 New Poetry Book

Module 3


Kinds of Poetry-New Poetry Book

Bibliographic information:

Silverstein, Shel. Every thing on it: poems and drawings. New York: Harper, 2011. ISBN: 9780061998164

Review:

Shel Silverstein was a cartoonist, author, poet, songwriter, and playwright. He is best known for his many children's poems. In 2011, twelve years after his death, Everything On It was published. It is a familiar collection of Silverstein’s rhythmic talent and slightly dark yet upbeat sense of humor. This latest collection is definitely in keeping with what we have come to expect from Silverstein. His famous odd, peculiar and sometimes “gross” subject choices can be found in the collection alongside a few new surprises. The pace of the poetry and his use of figurative language create an emotional and stimulating experience for readers. Silverstein’s style is one of a storyteller. The fantasies and exaggerations he creates with words and simple drawings are quite appealing to children. The collection is arranged in such a way that readers can experience huge belly laughs as well as sensitive thoughtful moments as they make their way from beginning to end. Each poem is accompanied by his signature black and white sketch. The index and pagination make it easy for readers to locate a particular poem. The touching “For You” dedication and final poem entitled, “When I’m Gone” make this collection feel very personal.



Highlighted Poem:

Wild Weed

This kid-eating plant

Is a dangerous creature.

It can wind all around ya

And choke ya and eatcha.

I should chop it or clip it

Or pull it or prune it,

But its leaves are so pretty…

I do hate to ruin it.

Introduction/Activity:

1st grade-5th grade: predicting outcomes

After reading the book, re-read th epoem on page 160, Wild Weed. Have students create an original comic strip telling with pictures and captions what happened next.