HEROES
AND SHE-ROES
1.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2.
PLOT
SUMMARY
3.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
Anyone
can be a hero, and this collection just proved it. A wide variety of people, and even a dog,
were presented. From Helen Keller and
Mahondas Gandhi to ordinary teachers and firefighters, these poems show that
heroes and she-roes are everywhere.
Although most of the poems include Lewis’s opinions, he remarkably
includes factual details in the verses.
Additional facts at the end of each poem, allowed the readers to have
insight knowledge of the individuals.
Thank you, Mr. Lewis! This can be
so beneficial for young children or simply anyone that needs a little refresher
course on historical and current figures.
Lewis
uses a similar rhyme pattern throughout the poems, making it easy to identify
the rhythm and enjoy the book as a read aloud.
Though the vocabulary and wording is easy to read, upper elementary
students might appreciate the message more in depth. Figurative language is used throughout the
book. For instance, “Sweet thunder in
his voice, Black lightning on his page.” From the poem “The Preachers”, sparks
the reader’s imagination with the use of metaphors.
Jim
Cooke beautifully crafted amazing full-page artwork for each poem. Readers can visually appreciate and connect
to the lives of the heroes and heroines with the realistic illustrations. In the poem “The Journalist”, the image of
Ida Wells-Barnett typing articles for the newspaper over a mountain of hanging
ropes, symbolizes the courage she had to stand up against lynching. This image and many more in the book
contribute seamlessly to the author’s text and message. We should all stand up for what is right, and
it just takes a little courage to make a significant difference.
4.
REVIEW
EXCERPTS
SCHOOL
LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This is an important title that will inspire young people and
perhaps encourage them to look more deeply into the lives of others as well as
their own.”
5.
CONNECTIONS
RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN
COLORS
2. PLOT
SUMMARY
3. CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
Zagarenski’s
illustrations are absolutely outstanding, as they lead to an expressive connection
for the text. The artwork has texture
and depth which offers a true-to-life feel.
Gazing through the book, I could not stop admiring the creativity and
details of each picture, whether they were small or big. Zagarenski’s quirky technique of drawing
triangular characters all wearing crowns and having the small white dog appear
on every page, was just plain enjoyable.
Covering from top to bottom every single inch of the pages with beautiful
graphics and fonts made this book feel extremely irresistible to stop
looking. There was so much going on, I
can read it over and over again, and I am sure every time I read it, I will
find something new. Simply amazing!
Children
will fall in love with the charming drawings.
As I read the book to my child, she had a thrill finding and counting
all the wheels that were illustrated throughout the book. Finding the tiny red lady bug, after reading
the summer poem, was just as fun too. The
setting, the animals, and the colors are all attractively executed for children
of all ages. The highlighted colored
text will allow young readers to associate the color word with its matching
color. The use of high vocabulary could
be a bit challenging for some readers, yet I am sure it will intrigue others to
explore the meaning of such. Nevertheless,
this is a hidden treasure of a book!
4. REVIEW
EXCERPTS
KIRKUS
REVIEW: “The season flow into each other, bringing readers full circle. Fresh descriptions and inventive artistry are
a charming inspiration to notice colors and correlate emotions. Details in the artwork will invite repeated
readings and challenge kids to muse about other color icons.”
THE
NEW YORK TIMES: “Joyce Sidman’s language is vivid and deft. Slyly, she’s conflating color as a sensation
with color as a name: the words White
and Yellow are stand-ins for ice and popcorn, the things they color. The rhetorical device is metonymy ---calling
an object by a related object or quality.
It’s wonderfully strange to read of colors with sounds, smells and
tastes.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*A variety
of poetry books by Joyce Sidman:
Sidman, Joyce. SWIRL BY SWIRL: SPIRALS IN NATURE. ISBN
054731583X
THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY
AND FORGIVENESS
2. PLOT
SUMMARY
The
book includes a Table of Contents, which lets the readers know it is divided
into two sections; Apologies & Responses.
I decided to read the book from beginning to end, and not side by side,
and personally it was the best decision.
As I read the responses after reading the apologies, I felt intrigued to
go back and review the correspondent poem, which made me feel as if I was
interpreting a storyline. The collection
covers a range of different themes and emotions. The assortment of poems extends from sorrow
and disappointment feelings to compassion and regret.
The
poetry is told by the children’s perspective, and for that reason, some feel
humorous and other are more thoughtful.
Bobby’s poem “Not Really” was silly in nature, while Tenzin’s “It Was
Quiet” was quite more intense. This book
took me in a rollercoaster! A mix of
emotions went through my body, as I have experienced family troubles,
friendship issues, and even the death of a pet, just like the children in Mrs.
Merz’s class. I am sure many children young
and old, can relate to these topics. Having
the staff and family be part of this project was definitely a clever idea. It allowed readers know they can think
outside the box, since they usually contemplate incorporating the school
setting and the people around them when doing an assignment. Unquestionably, the fact that Sidman included
the “Responses” poems, made this book sensible by allowing the reader to
appreciate the importance of clemency and reconciliation.
This
collection had an assortment of poems, like haiku, pantoum, and performance
poems, among many others. Sidman,
magnificently offered many details as well to facilitate the readers
comprehension of each of the poem. She
provided headings and signatures, titles, and even editor’s notes along the
way. The editor’s notes were my ultimate
favorite portions of the book. They
provided so much crucial information, that assisted in the storyline and
comprehension. For example, Jewel’s poem “My Poem” had and
editor’s note letting the reader know the father had responded in a long
letter, yet for purpose of this book, it had to be shorten and rewritten by
Jewel herself. This allowed the reader
to realize the father took his time to write to his daughter and making her
attain hope of his presence. The use
of figurative language and personification, engages the reader to visualize the
poem in depth making it come to life.
Similes and metaphors are also displayed throughout the book. “Don’t leave me spinning alone, like a slow,
sad tornado.”, in the poem “Next Time” made me feel Jewel’s loneness. Sidman creates an abundance of emotions
producing children to identify themselves with all the feelings represented. The use of free verse poems gives the
apologies and forgiveness authenticity and generating realistic characters.
Zagarenski’s
illustrations as always, complement the storyline flawlessly. Her use of newspaper clippings with definitions
of some of the feelings, was such a crafty notion. Readers are given the idea that a sixth
grader drew the pictures, and Zagarenski did an amazing job incarnating
such.
Overall,
THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS is a remarkable little
gem. I recommend this book to children
of all ages and at the same time adults too.
This book has so many teachable moments we can reflect on, and it is
sure to touch many lives. Mini lessons
of poetry terms and teaching the importance of forgiveness are worth learning.
4. REVIEW
EXCERPTS
5. CONNECTIONS
*Allow students the opportunity to
write their own apology poem.
UNDER THE MESQUITE
2. PLOT
SUMMARY
3.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book is told in Lupita’s perspective:
therefore, a mixture of English and Spanish pleasantly represents her
culture. Spanish words are sprinkled
throughout, adding warmth to the poems.
The Spanish words are distinguished by italics, and a glossary is
provided at the end of the book, if readers need translations of such. McCall’s cleverly uses language to express
Lupita’s experiences from her life in Mexico and her time en los Estados Unidos.
UNDER THE MESQUITE allows readers to connect
in many ways. Personally, I believe this
book is a true representation of the Mexican-American life. Coming from a Hispanic family myself, I am
able to relate to many of Lupita’s struggles.
Living in the border of South Texas, we are used to our Mexican accent,
yet I am not sure how I would feel if I am asked to lose it. My accent is part of me and my roots. In the Drama poem Mr. Cortes, the drama
teacher, tells Lupita, “If you’re serious about acting—and I think you are—then
you need to lose your accent.” Many
immigrants who come to America, and are expected to lose their identity to
achieve their dreams, just like Lupita, will find this autobiographical novel
compelling.
This book did not lack emotions, the author
definitely gave us plenty. The roller
coaster of feelings pulled me apart left and right, and made me cry as if
Lupita was part of my family. McCall
delivered pain and sorrow with having to adapt to change and the loss of a
parent, but also joy and acceptance as Lupita preserves the family bond and
finds hope in a new life. I highly
recommend this book. Teenagers and
adults will appreciate the life of a young girl who had to undergo a
challenging time in her life. I cannot
wait to read another book by Guadalupe Garcia McCall!
4.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
5.
CONNECTIONS
Marta,
Fabrega and Moore-Mallinos, Jennifer. MOM
HAS CANCER! ISBN 9780764140747
RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN
COLORS
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman,
Joyce. 2009. RED
SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS. Ill. by Pamela
Zagarenski. New York, NY:
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN:
9780547014944
2. PLOT
SUMMARY
Sidman and Zagarenski take readers on
a journey with a colorful collection of seasonal poems in RED SINGS FROM
TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS. Each season
is described with colors that correspond with what is seen, heard, taste, and
felt during that period. Colors
continuously occur throughout each season in both poetry verses and text
color. The free form poetry book begins
with a red bird singing in the Spring and ends with the same bird singing in
the winter after it has traveled across the four seasons.
3. CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
This
is a fascinating book! The book jacket
will catch your attention in an instant.
I got hooked on the whimsical illustrations that perfectly represent
Sidman’s poems. I love how Sidman uses
the recurrence of colors to manifest details of each season. Colored text gave more power to the words and
made them feel more meaningful. Phrases
such as, “Brown rustles and whispers underfoot” and “Purple: the smell of all
things mixed together” attribute to the reader’s senses. The use of repetition and some alliteration
allowed the poems to come to life and provide imagery throughout.
Zagarenski’s
illustrations are absolutely outstanding, as they lead to an expressive connection
for the text. The artwork has texture
and depth which offers a true-to-life feel.
Gazing through the book, I could not stop admiring the creativity and
details of each picture, whether they were small or big. Zagarenski’s quirky technique of drawing
triangular characters all wearing crowns and having the small white dog appear
on every page, was just plain enjoyable.
Covering from top to bottom every single inch of the pages with beautiful
graphics and fonts made this book feel extremely irresistible to stop
looking. There was so much going on, I
can read it over and over again, and I am sure every time I read it, I will
find something new. Simply amazing!
Children
will fall in love with the charming drawings.
As I read the book to my child, she had a thrill finding and counting
all the wheels that were illustrated throughout the book. Finding the tiny red lady bug, after reading
the summer poem, was just as fun too. The
setting, the animals, and the colors are all attractively executed for children
of all ages. The highlighted colored
text will allow young readers to associate the color word with its matching
color. The use of high vocabulary could
be a bit challenging for some readers, yet I am sure it will intrigue others to
explore the meaning of such. Nevertheless,
this is a hidden treasure of a book!
4. REVIEW
EXCERPTS
2010
Caldecott Medal
Horn
Book Fanfare
Booklist
Editor’s Choice
Bulletin
Blue Ribbon
SCHOOL
LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Sidman and Zagarenski do what they can to conjure up what
seasonal change feels like. It’s nothing
like their previous book, and everythin you’d want in a poetry collection.”
KIRKUS
REVIEW: “The season flow into each other, bringing readers full circle. Fresh descriptions and inventive artistry are
a charming inspiration to notice colors and correlate emotions. Details in the artwork will invite repeated
readings and challenge kids to muse about other color icons.”
THE
NEW YORK TIMES: “Joyce Sidman’s language is vivid and deft. Slyly, she’s conflating color as a sensation
with color as a name: the words White
and Yellow are stand-ins for ice and popcorn, the things they color. The rhetorical device is metonymy ---calling
an object by a related object or quality.
It’s wonderfully strange to read of colors with sounds, smells and
tastes.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Great book to use during Science,
to introduce Seasons and Weather along with color identification for young
children.
*Art activity: Students may paint
or draw a picture using colors represented in nature.
*A variety of poetry books by Joyce Sidman:
*A variety of poetry books by Joyce Sidman:
Sidman, Joyce. SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN AND OTHER POND
POEMS. ISBN 0618135472
Sidman, Joyce. SWIRL BY SWIRL: SPIRALS IN NATURE. ISBN
054731583X
THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY
AND FORGIVENESS
THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY
AND FORGIVENESS
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman,
Joyce. 2007. THIS
IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS. Ill. by Pamela
Zagarenski. Boston, MA: Houghton
Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN: 978061861680
2. PLOT
SUMMARY
Mrs. Merz’s sixth grade class write
apology poems as part of an assignment.
Students encourage the receivers of the poems to write forgiveness poems
back. The compilation of poems assignment
turns out very well they decide to make a book out of it. The book is divided into two sections:
apologies and responses.
3. CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
Joyce
Sidman was inspired by William Carlos Williams’ THIS IS JUST TO SAY, when
making this collection of apologies and forgiveness poems. The book is based fictitiously on Mrs. Merz’s
sixth-grade class, where students are given a poetry assignment. The students’ task was to write apology
poems, and since the turnout was better than expected, they are later asked to
write forgiveness poems as responses.
All the poems were gathered and made into a two-part book with
illustrations from one of their classmates.
Sidman’s poetry in this book, as written by the students is truly
inspiring.
The
book includes a Table of Contents, which lets the readers know it is divided
into two sections; Apologies & Responses.
I decided to read the book from beginning to end, and not side by side,
and personally it was the best decision.
As I read the responses after reading the apologies, I felt intrigued to
go back and review the correspondent poem, which made me feel as if I was
interpreting a storyline. The collection
covers a range of different themes and emotions. The assortment of poems extends from sorrow
and disappointment feelings to compassion and regret.
The
poetry is told by the children’s perspective, and for that reason, some feel
humorous and other are more thoughtful.
Bobby’s poem “Not Really” was silly in nature, while Tenzin’s “It Was
Quiet” was quite more intense. This book
took me in a rollercoaster! A mix of
emotions went through my body, as I have experienced family troubles,
friendship issues, and even the death of a pet, just like the children in Mrs.
Merz’s class. I am sure many children young
and old, can relate to these topics. Having
the staff and family be part of this project was definitely a clever idea. It allowed readers know they can think
outside the box, since they usually contemplate incorporating the school
setting and the people around them when doing an assignment. Unquestionably, the fact that Sidman included
the “Responses” poems, made this book sensible by allowing the reader to
appreciate the importance of clemency and reconciliation.
This
collection had an assortment of poems, like haiku, pantoum, and performance
poems, among many others. Sidman,
magnificently offered many details as well to facilitate the readers
comprehension of each of the poem. She
provided headings and signatures, titles, and even editor’s notes along the
way. The editor’s notes were my ultimate
favorite portions of the book. They
provided so much crucial information, that assisted in the storyline and
comprehension. For example, Jewel’s poem “My Poem” had and
editor’s note letting the reader know the father had responded in a long
letter, yet for purpose of this book, it had to be shorten and rewritten by
Jewel herself. This allowed the reader
to realize the father took his time to write to his daughter and making her
attain hope of his presence. The use
of figurative language and personification, engages the reader to visualize the
poem in depth making it come to life.
Similes and metaphors are also displayed throughout the book. “Don’t leave me spinning alone, like a slow,
sad tornado.”, in the poem “Next Time” made me feel Jewel’s loneness. Sidman creates an abundance of emotions
producing children to identify themselves with all the feelings represented. The use of free verse poems gives the
apologies and forgiveness authenticity and generating realistic characters.
Zagarenski’s
illustrations as always, complement the storyline flawlessly. Her use of newspaper clippings with definitions
of some of the feelings, was such a crafty notion. Readers are given the idea that a sixth
grader drew the pictures, and Zagarenski did an amazing job incarnating
such.
Overall,
THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS is a remarkable little
gem. I recommend this book to children
of all ages and at the same time adults too.
This book has so many teachable moments we can reflect on, and it is
sure to touch many lives. Mini lessons
of poetry terms and teaching the importance of forgiveness are worth learning.
4. REVIEW
EXCERPTS
2008
The Lee Bennett Hopkins Award
Claudia
Lewis Poetry Award
School
Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Texas
Bluebonnet Award Nomination
PUBLISHER’S
WEEKLY: “Yet the poems successfully navigates the complicated terrain for those
who seek forgiveness.”
KIRKUS
REVIEW: “Packed with intensity of everyday pain sorrow, kids and adults
exchange the words that convey grief, delight, love and acceptance of
themselves and others.”
BOOKLIST:
“Children will find much to identify with in the situations presented in the
apology poems, and they’ll appreciate the resolutions given in the responses.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Carson Levine, Gail. FORGIVE ME, I MEANT TO DO IT. ISBN 9780061787256
*Other books by Joyce Sidman:
Sidman, Joyce. BUTTERY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS OF THE MEADOW.
ISBN 0618563135
Sidman, Joyce. DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE
NIGHT. ISBN 0547152280
Sidman, Joyce. WHAT THE HEART KNOWS: CHANTS, CHARMS, AND
BLESSINGS. ISBN 978-0544106161
*Allow students the opportunity to
write their own apology poem.
UNDER THE MESQUITE
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Garcia McCall, Guadalupe.
2011. UNDER
THE MESQUITE. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books Inc. ISBN: 9781600604294
2. PLOT
SUMMARY
Lupita is a young girl who immigrates with
her family to the United States from Mexico.
She struggles to adjust to the change, and is torn between finding
herself living with her Mexican identity and living the American life. Things change even more for Lupita, when her
mother is diagnosed with cancer. Being
the oldest child, she willingly takes the responsibility of taking care of her
younger siblings. The new set of duties,
soon make her realize it is more than she expected. Caring and feeding her siblings, while
needing to be brave, makes her feel overwhelmed. Her dreams of becoming an actor and her love for
writing is what keeps her distracted from the painful home life. She escapes to write poems under a Mesquite
tree to vent her feelings.
3.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
McCall’s lyrical writing in this verse novel,
simply flows smoothly with short lines and clear sentences. Some stanzas have rhythmic patterns which
allows the reader to interpret the verses easily. Imagery plays an important part of this book
as well. The symbol of the mesquite
tree, represents the undesired event the family endures. Just like the tree growing in the center of
the lovely garden, cancer was found in Lupita’s beautiful Mami.
The book is told in Lupita’s perspective:
therefore, a mixture of English and Spanish pleasantly represents her
culture. Spanish words are sprinkled
throughout, adding warmth to the poems.
The Spanish words are distinguished by italics, and a glossary is
provided at the end of the book, if readers need translations of such. McCall’s cleverly uses language to express
Lupita’s experiences from her life in Mexico and her time en los Estados Unidos.
UNDER THE MESQUITE allows readers to connect
in many ways. Personally, I believe this
book is a true representation of the Mexican-American life. Coming from a Hispanic family myself, I am
able to relate to many of Lupita’s struggles.
Living in the border of South Texas, we are used to our Mexican accent,
yet I am not sure how I would feel if I am asked to lose it. My accent is part of me and my roots. In the Drama poem Mr. Cortes, the drama
teacher, tells Lupita, “If you’re serious about acting—and I think you are—then
you need to lose your accent.” Many
immigrants who come to America, and are expected to lose their identity to
achieve their dreams, just like Lupita, will find this autobiographical novel
compelling.
This book did not lack emotions, the author
definitely gave us plenty. The roller
coaster of feelings pulled me apart left and right, and made me cry as if
Lupita was part of my family. McCall
delivered pain and sorrow with having to adapt to change and the loss of a
parent, but also joy and acceptance as Lupita preserves the family bond and
finds hope in a new life. I highly
recommend this book. Teenagers and
adults will appreciate the life of a young girl who had to undergo a
challenging time in her life. I cannot
wait to read another book by Guadalupe Garcia McCall!
4.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Pura Belpre Award Book
International Literacy Association’s Promising Poet Award
Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “UNDER THE MESQUITE is a window into a
family dealing with cancer; but it is also more than that. It’s the look at an immigrant family,
balancing traditions and cultures.”
KIRKUS REVIEW: “ With poignant imagery and well-placed Spanish,
the author effectively captures the complex lives of teenagers in many Latino
and/or immigrant families.”
5.
CONNECTIONS
*Have students write a free verse poem about themselves.
*Expose students to other poetry books about immigrants
or cancer.
Bogomolny, Abby.
NEW TO NORTH AMERICA. ISBN
978-0965066563
Lai, Thanhha. INSIDE
OUT AND BACK AGAIN. ISBN 9780061962790
Lewis, Alaric. WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE HAS CANCER: A GUIDE TO
HELP KIDS COPE. ISBN 9780870293955
Marta,
Fabrega and Moore-Mallinos, Jennifer. MOM
HAS CANCER! ISBN 9780764140747
