Poetry

Book Review: TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS: CAMPING POEMS

1. Bibliography
George, Kristine O’ Connell. 2001. TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS: CAMPING POEMS. New York. Clarion Books. ISBN 061804597X

2. Plot Summary
In TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS Kristine O’Connell George writes 30 poems that describe a fun family camping trip. The topics range from the excitement of putting up a tent, to the art of toasting marshmallows, as well as experiencing different aspects of nature. Most of the poems are told from a child’s point of view and have a storybook feel with a beginning, middle, and end. The poems begin when the family first arrives on their camping trip, then describe their activities, and finally portray the memories they cherish once their trip is over.

3. Critical Analysis
Kristine O’Connell’s book of camping poems is the type of book that readers will want to read even if they have never had the opportunity to go camping. The collection of poems goes in order from the beginning of a family’s trip to the end and each page tells of a different adventure. Even though every poem is different in length, a certain rhythm and beat can be heard as you say each one. While some words rhyme and others do not, the beat can still be found. In some the words are written on the page in a pattern, and in others one specific word is repeated in every line. The use of imagery and language is what readers will like best. Such descriptive language is used that if readers close their eyes, they will be able to visualize what is being described. She uses many metaphors and in one poem she describes what is like to get dressed in a sleeping bag by saying, “I’m a caterpillar in a cozy cloth cocoon.” Imagery is also evident and the poems have readers using their five senses to visualize what is occurring and some even have the words on the page shaped like the item being described.
Kate Kiesler’s paintings complement this book of poetry because some of her paintings sweep across double pages so the poetry just floats on top. In addition the faces of the characters are not drawn with detail so readers tend to look more closely at the nature and the images being described.
Overall, children ranging from Kindergarten to middle school will appreciate this book of poems not only because they will be drawn to the title, but they will be able to feel the excitement at the beginning of this family’s camping trip and the sadness when it is over. Even if children have never gone on a camping trip, they will still begin to feel a connection to these children’s experiences and emotions and they will be inspired to read more poems like this as it will fuel their imaginations.

4. Awards won:
Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio Gold Award, 2001
Bank Street College Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, 2002
South Dakota Prairie Bud Award nomination, 2002



Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly Review- “Like their previous collaborations, The Great Frog Race and Old Elm Speaks, this volume by George and Kiesler is as delicious as a toasted marshmallow treat. George's poems are well crafted, varied and easily accessible.(Mar.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School library Journal Review- All of the selections convey a child-focused sense of wonder as the campers explore the lakefront and surrounding terrain, enjoy the marvels of the natural world, relish meals round the campfire, and toast marshmallows. Luann Toth, School Library Journal Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

5. Connections
Invite children to brainstorm a trip they have recently taken. Using their five senses create a poem that describes some of their experiences on their trip.

Other books that provide poetry about traveling that could be shared are:

McNaughton, Colin. WISH YOU WERE HERE (AND I WASN’T) A BOOK OF POEMS AND PICTURES FOR GLOBE-TROTTERS. ISBN 07360271X

Jacobs, Leland B. (Leland Blair) IS SOMEHWERE ALWAYS FAR AWAY?: POEMS ABOUT PLACES. ISBN 0805026770.

Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 1, 2010.


Book Review: KEESHA’S HOUSE

1. Bibliography
Frost, Helen. 2003. KEESHA’S HOUSE. New York. Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 0374340641


2. Plot Summary
In KEESHA’S HOUSE Helen Frost writes a beautiful book of poems that describe the struggles and hardships seven teenagers have to endure in their life. Each teen is dealing with their own set of problems ranging from teen pregnancy and death to being a foster child or going to jail. In the beginning, the characters’ stories seem disconnected from one another. But in the end, each character ends up at Keesha's house. The house actually belongs to an adult named Joe, but teen Keesha, who has her own problems, looks after the arrangements and the kids who wind up there. Some characters simply pass through, while others form a family. Other poems in the book are written from the point of view of the adults in their lives, such as parents, and they offer other perspectives on the teens' lives.


3. Critical Analysis
Helen Frost’s poetry book is set up like a chapter book of poems. She organizes it by having eight different sections where the majority of the parts are devoted to the seven main characters stories and the other sections are poems from an adult’s perspective. In the back of the book Helen reveals that the poems have been written in traditional poetic forms using sonnets and sestina forms, but she admits that she doesn’t always follow the rules for the “sake of allowing the poem to speak its mind.” (Frost 113) In most of the book, the seven characters parts are written in six line stanzas while the adults’ perspectives are written as sonnets. When we first begin to read, we are slowly introduced to each character and we immediately learn of their individual teenage hardships. Throughout the book each section revisits the characters in the same original order and every time they become more realistic and the reader becomes more attached. Helen’s language consists of ordinary words that are understandable by most and some characters are given a dialect so the reader can hear their individual voice. At the end of each poem the character who is speaking always has the final say, whether we are left with a question or a new realization, this is where readers are left to interpret the meaning. This poetry book has an emotional impact on readers not only because of the adult issues that these teenagers are faced with but readers also begin to see the mature way that the teenagers deal with their issues and it is refreshing to see that at times they are more grown up then some of the adults portrayed. There are no illustrations in the book, but Helen does a wonderful job at helping readers visualize the characters lives and situations through her vivid descriptions. In the end readers are left with seven poems in which the characters have a type of dialogue together discussing how they are making the most out of their situations leaving readers with a sense of pride. Because of this books content I think high school students or older young adults may enjoy this read because they will be more aware of the issues that are discussed here or they will be able to relate to them due to their own personal experiences.

Awards:
Michael L. Printz Award - Honor
American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
Books for the Teen Age, New York Public Library
Recorded Books Audiotape--finalist for an Audie Award


4. Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly- Making the most of the poetic forms, the author breathes life into these teens and their stories, resulting in a thoughtfully composed and ultimately touching book. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal- Gr 9 Up-Jason states it best: "-It looks to me like the kids at Keesha's house are wearing/lives designed for people twice their age." When they can't go home, this is where they come. Poignant poems tell their stories. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

5. Connections
Because of the number of characters in KEESHA’S HOUSE students could act out the different scenes and perform a reader’s theater.

Another Helen Frost book that can be shared:
Frost, Helen. CROSSING STONES. ISBN 9780374316532


Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 1, 2010.




Book Review: THANKS A MILLION


1. Bibliography
Grimes, Nikki. 2006. THANKS A MILLION. New York. Greenwillow Books.
ISBN 9780688172923

2. Plot Summary
In Nikki Grimes, THANKS A MILLION, she compiles sixteen kid friendly poems that are all about being thankful and giving thanks for the little things in life. All sixteen poems are written from a child’s perspective and deal with both happy and sad childhood moments.


3. Critical Analysis
In THANKS A MILLION, Nikki Grimes writes sixteen poems ranging in form from a haiku to a rebus to a riddle, all around the theme of being thankful for the little things. Written to sound like a child reciting the poems, Nikki has some poems that rhyme while others may look and sound like a child’s dialogue. All of the poems are short and create a staccato beat as you read them out loud. Nikki uses language that is easy to understand but a few similes can be found as well such as, “My lunch tray’s like a boulder, I’ve lugged around for miles.” Besides the theme of being thankful, throughout the story readers can see that each poem is about topics that are important to children. Even though the poems can be short they still have an emotional impact on the reader. Some relate to cheerful or funny childlike experiences that will leave you laughing, while others discuss tougher issues that children may be faced with in life. Some of the happier poems are children being thankful for weekends but still wanting more days off, while other poems are written about children who are thankful for having shelter over their heads or having a good book to read to take their mind off of feeling sad after a death. Nikki Grimes also uses many sensory words that help the reader visualize what is happening, but the book would not be the same without Cosbi Cabrera’s illustrations. Cosbi’s oil-like paintings add diversity to the poems by representing children from all different backgrounds, helping children from different backgrounds relate to the poems. In other poems such as in the one titled Homemade Card, his illustrations are necessary as the poem is done in a rebus form. THANKS A MILLION is a book of poems that touches on topics that children beginning as young as Kindergarten ranging on up to middle school will appreciate.


Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal Review-A lovely book for reflection and discussion.-Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.


5. Connections
A great book that can be shared around the Thanksgiving holiday giving kids a chance to write about what they are thankful for.

Other award winning Nikki Grimes books can be shared if wanting to do an author study such as:
Grimes, Nikki. A POCKETFUL OF POEMS. ISBN 0395938686

Grimes, Nikki. MY MAN BLUE: POEMS. ISBN 0803723261

Grimes, Nikki. IT’S RAINING LAUGHTER: POEMS. ISBN 0803720033


Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 1, 2010.