NCTE Award Poetry

Book Review: Night on Neighborhood Street



Greenfield, Eloise. 1991. Night on Neighborhood Street. Ill by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. New York. Puffin Books. ISBN 9780329134518

1. Review of Book
Eloise Greenfield's, Night on Neighborhood Street is a collection of poems that describe the lives and experiences of the inhabitants of a predominately African American neighborhood over the course of one night. Using free verse rhythmic poems, Greenfield takes the reader on a journey around the neighborhood where the reader gets a glimpse of the inside of different households and buildings on the block. Most of the poems are uplifting and easily understood by children. The poems touch on topics such as little boys and babies not wanting to go to sleep, to children being scared of the dark or having funny dreams. Other poems take on a more serious tone, such as in "The Seller," where Greenfield describes darker events that can occur in a large urban neighborhood. She begins "The Seller" by writing,

"when the seller comes around
carrying in his many pockets
packages of death.
all the children go inside
they see behind his easy smile.."

Other poems depict the struggles families may face, as well as showing how members of a community come together to solve problems. These more serious poems will most likely lead to a discussion about real issues, and give children of all backgrounds an understanding of real life situations and some of the strong emotions felt by the people portrayed in the poems. Children with similar situations or living in a similar neighborhood may be able to relate more to the poems, but all children will be able to find a poem that they enjoy and appreciate. Jan Spivey Gilchrist's illustrations enhance the poems by adding a unique touch to each one. In some, the illustrations look as though they are photographs that have been painted, with some features being clearly defined. However, in others they specifically don't portray any specific features, leaving those up to the imagination of persons reading or listening.

2. Classroom/Library Connection
Follow up Activity:
For this collection, several poems from the book should be shared with children featuring lighthearted and serious tones, so that children can get a sense of the neighborhood as a whole. After having a discussion about each, lead into a discussion about the students' community and what the children feel are important features and attributes of their school, neighborhood, or surrounding community. What landmarks do they see each day? What are activities that they may do on a daily basis? Where do they go? From this discussion create a large class-made map of the community. Incorporate social studies and math by teaching them how to include an authentic key and directions. Have each student then write about what a typical day for them in their community looks like. Then using the class made map they can each demonstrate to their classmates where they live and go most of the time, and places they have not been but would like to visit.

3. Review Excerpts/Awards Won
-Coretta Scott King Book Award, 1992
-Mockingbird Award 1992-1993
-NCTE Award-1991

"The magical and the everyday reside comfortably together on Neighborhood Street and make it well worth the visit." -Booklist