It's Monday - Reading Poetry Plus More

          Every Monday, many of us link up with Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders. and Sheila at Book Journeys.  Come join us and tweet at #IMWAYR. Thanks to Jen, Kellee, and Ricki for hosting! 

created by Leigh Anne Eck
at A Day In The Life 

        I'm writing haiku and haiku-related poetry this month. Focus on the out of doors and on word choice is both a challenge and fun.  I'm also grateful that some of us are supporting each other, sharing on twitter with the hashtag #DigiPoetry, created by Margaret Simon, of Reflections on The Teche. Find the many Poetry Month offerings rounded up by Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup.  

12)  

whoosh, wind-driven

clouds became my book -

what are you reading?

       Here's what I read this past week:
How I Discovered Poetry - written by Marilyn Nelson, with some illustrations and
 photos (This is one of my #MustReadIn2015 books. See the list above.)

        Marilyn Nelson writes poetry to tell her story of growing up in a military family, moving more often than a young girl who finally made friends wants to. She gets excited when a close friend she had to say goodbye to shows up at the next base. Marilyn's poems sometimes touch one's heart when she writes, only hint at really, about the racism that occurs.  Here is one part of a poem titled "A Quartet of Geeks: "We have to go to to schools in town: our teachers' First Negroes (thought I doubt they pronounce the word that way)". Her father is one of the first, and at the time, still few, African American Air Force officers. Her fun-loving adventures includes words about Sputnik, playing horses, and the movement of a stuffed animal. The story poems move us as life was moving Marilyn.


The Popcorn Astronauts - written by Deborah Ruddell and illustrated by Joan Rankin
          Wow, this is the cutest, most clever poetry for children, about food! I've seen others who like it, too, and am so happy that my book buddy friend brought it to me! How can one not like poems who are titled "The Last Brownie" and "The Cocoa Cabana". My favorite is "How A Poet Orders a Shake". It begins: "A frosty cup of moonlight, please,/the poet murmurs low." Beautiful, isn't it And so creative!
         If you work or play with younger students and poetry, you must find, read, & share this book of poetry.

Sidewalk Flowers - written by Arno Lawson and illustrated by Sydney Smith

          I hope this is more a comment on what wonderfully thoughtful little children do when they're walking with a parent than on a parent who is always on his cell phone and doesn't pay attention to his daughter at all? A wordless picture book, the author follows a dad and his little girl on a walk home. There are surprises all along the way, including a bit of color that includes the beautiful illustrations, mostly black and white. The end papers alone are also worth taking a close look, birds and flowers! 

Nighttime Ninja - written by Barbara DaCosta and illustrated by Ed Young
          A creative story that begins at night, of course, and follows a ninja creeping through the night. Fortunately he is caught, but you'll have to read the book to discover by whom!




My Pen - written and illustrated by Christopher Myers

           If you or your students draw, you must find and read and then you will savor this book filled with what a young boy's pen can do, filled with inspiration for using your own pen. Even the endpapers invite poring over.

I Don't Want To Be A Frog - written by Dev Petty and illustrated by Mike Boldt
          This just didn't work so well for me like others have said. I think I was looking for funny like Elephant & Piggie funny, and I didn't laugh so much. I read it to my granddaughter, too, and she (almost six) asked lots of questions like "why is he saying that? She didn't appreciate the humor, so perhaps the book is better suited to 8 or 9 year olds? It's okay, but not a favorite read.

Next: Reading The Boy In The Black Suit by Jason Reynolds, and it's compelling enough that I want to stop other tasks and read! I've finished The Road, but have two more group meetings with students in order to finish it with them. I brought home All The Bright Places, maybe next?