Poetry Book Reviews

 These reviews were conducted for a Sam Houston State Master's Class in the Library Science Program.

Singer, Marilyn. 2010. MIRROR MIRROR. Illustrated by: Masse, Josee. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780525479017

 Plot Summary: Singer takes poems about famous fairy tales to a whole new level with this book of reverse poems.  Singer brings the readers’ attention to taking one poem and turning it around, so you read it from a different perspective.  Singer uses some of the most renowned fairy tales such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, and many others.

 Critical Analysis: Singer shows the reader that there can be two sides to every story, even in fairy tales.  It’s amazing how she does this in such a simple way- just be reversing each poem therefore changing some of the punctuation.  Not only does this give the reader a chance to learn some fairy tales, but to see different perspectives within the fairy tales. 

Masse offers more insight to each poem with the reverse illustrations.  He shows a lighter said of the characters for the forwards poem and a slightly darker side for the backwards version of the poem. The illustrations done in this way give the reader more insight into understanding each poem.

 Review Excerpts:

Kirkus: “A mesmerizing and seamless celebration of language, imagery and perspective.”

Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review: “Masse’s clever compositions play with symmetry (in “Longing for Beauty,” Beauty and the Beast appear as one being, split in half, her tresses echoing his fur), bringing this smart concept to its fullest effect.”

 Connections: Not only can this book be used to showcase poems that don’t rhyme, but it shares an entire new outlook on different perspectives of the characters.  Readers can discuss how just reversing the poem and changing some of the punctuation can change an entire story.  Teachers could also integrate a unit on fairy tales, some of which the students may not have read before.

 

 

 

Myers, Walter Dean. 2011. WE ARE AMERICA: A TRIBUTE FROM THE HEART. Illustrations by Myers, Christopher. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 9780060523084

 Plot Summary: Myers brings his readers on a journey through America using poetry and famous quotes.  He begins before there was “America” with the Native Americans and goes through the farm country to the Industrial Revolution.  Myers continues with African American history components and ends with the promise of freedom and liberty for each child.

 Critical Analysis: This father-son duo has created an amazing new look at the history of America along with its bright future through free-verse poetry and some incredible illustrations. The book begins with an “Author’s Note” and an “Artist’s Note” defining how they came to create this history of America that truly describes why this is from the heart.  The poems walk the reader through America’s time including before America became a country.  Most pages also feature a quote from a famous American during that specific time. 

Christopher’s illustrations are paintings presented in a mural form stretching across the pages featuring Americans that would have been seen during the time of each poem.  The blending of the vibrant colors engages the readers right away and keep them wanting to finish the book.  The end of the book explains each quotation, so the reader recognizes the significance along with some “Art Notes” identify each person in the illustrations.

 Review Excerpt:

Goodreads: “With graceful, lyrical prose and evocative paintings, Newbery Honor author Walter Dean Myers and Coretta Scott King Honor artist Christopher Myers, the father-son team who created Harlem, pay tribute to the spirit and soul that is America.”

Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review: “It's best appreciated by readers with some knowledge of American history, but few will be unmoved by this stirring and provocative collaboration.”

Connections: This book would be a great resource for teachers when teaching history of our country in a way that is not a basic textbook.  Students may not recognize the famous quotes or the people in the pictures, but could conduct a research project on time periods or people within each poem.  Students could even pick a time from the book or a different time in history and create their own free-verse poems similar to the style of the book.

 

Hoberman, Mary Ann. 1998. THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA. Illustrations by: Fraser, Betty. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780152055714

 Plot Summary: Hoberman offers a variety of poems ranging from all kinds of topics catered to children.  She includes poems about birthdays, a variety of animals, and various childhood experiences.  Most readers that these poems are geared toward would probably expect all the poems to rhyme, but rhyming isn’t seen in all of them. Most are very simple and entertaining for kids.

 Critical Analysis: As much as I like the idea of simple poems for students to relate to, I wasn’t that entertained by most of the 100 poems shared in this book.  A good majority of the poems weren’t engaging.  I understand that I’m reading them as an adult, but I still felt that a good majority of the poems wouldn’t entertain very many children.  Hoberman does do a nice job of presenting poems about topics that kids can easily relate to and understand. 

The illustrations are not what I would call Caldecott level, however, they are very simple and offer enough color variation that they are attractive to a young audience.

 Review Excerpts:

Goodreads: “ …the delightful poems in this extensive collection convey the experiences of childhood with a fresh timelessness.”

School Library Journal: “Good for beginning or experienced readers of poetry, this should indeed become a favorite.”

Connections: These simple poems are a great opportunity for kids to have their own chance to write their own poem about a topic that they experience every day.  Kids could even choose their favorite holiday and write a free-verse poem.

 

 

Lai, Thanhha. 2011. INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN. New York: Harper Collins Children’s Books. ISBN 9780061962790

 Plot Summary: The poetry novel shares the story of ten-year-old Kim Ha’ and her family living through the Vietnam War.  Her father has been missing for nine years, so her mother and brothers must decide whether to stay or flee their home.  Eventually, they decide to leave and choose America as their destination.  Ha’ battles a new home, a new school, a new language all amid bullying.  However, she manages to show some humor within her poems as she shares her story.

Critical Analysis: A lot of young adults may not be prone to reading an entire novel filled with poetry, however, the story that is told within these poems is engaging and enlightening.  Lai shares her story with short poems that are easy to read.  She offers a heroine that young adults can relate to even though the period of the Vietnam War is foreign to young readers of today.  Lai bases her story on her own personal journey, which adds a depth of understanding and emotion to her poems.

 Review Excerpt:

Kirkus Starred Review: “In her not-to-be-missed debut, Lai evokes a distinct time and place and presents a complex, realistic heroine whom readers will recognize, even if they haven’t found themselves in a strange new country.”

Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review: “An incisive portrait of human resilience.”

Connections: This novel won a Newbery Medal, which could inspire students to research other Poetry Newbery winners.  Students could also do some research on the Vietnam War and discover heroes of that time.  At the beginning of the story, Ha’ is celebrating the Vietnamese New Year.  Students could embark on research of different holidays and customs.  Students could share a holiday and customs from their own homes.