Sunday, March 2, 2014

The Firefly Letters - Book Review

This post was written as a Master's course assignment for Texas Woman's University.

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Engle, Margarita. 2010. THE FIREFLY LETTERS. New York NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 9780805090826.

2. BOOK SUMMARY
With a chilling introduction, Engle brings the reader into the world of Matanzas,Cuba in 1851, while the slave trade was still widely practiced there.  This novel in verse carries the reader through the story using different perspectives and voices, including those of: Cecilia, Elena, Fredrika, and Beni (Cecilia's husband). The reader learns gradually about the back story of each character, and through the language of the poems, begins to hear each character's voice more clearly.

The book begins with the voice of Cecilia, a slave who was sold to a trader in Africa. She lives as a slave on an estate in Cuba, on which the young lady Elena, daughter of Papa, lives. We hear a third voice from Fredrika, a Swedish woman who would rather have freedom of voice and expression than her wealthy inheritance, and also believes in the equality of all people, and so she goes to the estate in Cuba as a writer. 

Gorgeous language spans the pages of this book; through all of the different voices, we hear unique phrases and observations of the land and the time. In Elena, we hear the language of a slightly spoiled teenage girl: "her own gloomy, sullen,/annoying way" (speaking about Cecilia, pg. 4). She describes Fredrika with disdain, at first: "the Swedish lady/eats like a castaway/right after the long-awaited rescue/from starvation," (pg. 19).

Fredrika offers a fresh perspective, a woman ahead of her time, and with a highly descriptive vocabulary: "there is always the scent/of rotting tropical vegetation,/a smell that releases a bit of sorrow,/like the death of some small wild thing" (pg. 7). The poem highlighted below is also Fredrika's poem.

The author uses a mix of beautiful words, such as cocuyos (fireflies), etc., to enhance the authentic feel and sounds of Cuba.  She portrays some terrifying and grotesque moments, and also moments of astounding beauty.  Most of the poems are around the same length, from one page + one stanza, to sometimes a bit longer.  This lovely verse novel would appeal to independent readers, and would be a great introduction to the author's other, similar works.

3. POEM HIGHLIGHT

The poem that I chose to highlight from this verse novel is below. Written from the perspective of the Swedish lady, Fredrika, it encapsulates the magic of the fireflies at night, and the hope of a better future for the other two main characters.  As an educational follow-up activity, I would have the children imagine writing a poem from someone/something else's perspective (even an animal's or an insect's point of view). What would that voice sound like? What words would that author use, and what would it describe? What could it see that we cannot? How is that animal/person/entity's experience different from ours? After composing the poems, the students could also share aloud, if they chose.


FREDRIKA

Cuban fireflies are the most amazing
little creatures I have ever seen.
They flock to me at night,
resting on my fingers
so that, while I am sketching
and writing letters,
I need no other lantern,
just the light
from their movements.

I skim my hand across the page
while the brilliant cocuyos help me decide
what to write - there is so much to tell.
How can I describe this shocking journey?

I must speak of Cecilia's homesickness
and her lung sickness

and the way her baby 
is doomed to be born
into slavery.

I must describe Elena's loneliness 
and her longing for a sense of purpose.

Somehow, I must show my readers
the bright flowers and glowing insects
that make Cuba's night
feel like morning.

(By Margarita Engle)

The Arrow Finds Its Mark: A Book of Found Poems - Book Review

This post was written as a Master's course assignment for Texas Woman's University.

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Heard, Georgia (Edited by). Compilation copyright 2012. THE ARROW FINDS ITS MARK. Illustrated by Antoine Guilloppe. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 9781596436657.

2. BOOK SUMMARY
This book answers the question: how is there poetry in everything, all around us? In a fantastic compilation of "found poems," Georgia Heard demonstrates the beauty of the already-written word, ready to be grasped and mingled with other "found writing," in order to create beautiful, insightful poems with original titles. Heard's small anthology of found poems features work from many poets of today with established reputations and a flair for writing with the young reader in mind. Some of the featured poets include: J. Patrick Lewis, Janet Wong, Naomi Shahib Nye, Joseph Bruchac, Marilyn Singer, and many others.

The specific set of guidelines that governed the creation of poems in this collection included the following:  poets were "encouraged not to change, add, or rearrange words," the poems must be created from text that already exists, they may "change punctuation, tense, plurals, and capitalization," and the titles may be original, in order to give "the poems depth and [add] another layer of meaning" (from the Introduction).  The book includes 40 different poems from a variety of poets, including Georgia Heard herself.

Some of the interesting original titles include: "A POEM TO SNEAK ONTO THE WALL OF A SCHOOL LUNCHROOM" (poem found by Patricia Hubbell, pg. 4) and "NICKNAMES IN THE NBA" (poem found by J. Patrick Lewis, pg. 12). The locations of the "found writing" varied immensely, from book titles in a library or on a child's bookshelf, to street signs, a teacher's memo, the dictionary, Facebook, a cleaning supplies container, calendars, speeches, a computer drop-down menu, other artists' work, such as Van Gogh painting titles, and the words of WALDEN POND by Thoreau. 

Here is a sample from the poem, "PLACES I'D LOVE TO VAN GOGH SOMEDAY," found by Bob Raczka: "Field with Poppies/Orchard with Blossoming Plum Trees... The Dance Hall at Arles/Cafe Terrace at Night" (pg. 22). The images are startling and beautiful, especially in this current arrangement.

Another fascinating sample is this one from "A BIRD POETRY READER," poem found by J. Patrick Lewis, from a book about bird songs in the wild: "see-wee...see-it...seedle-ee...see-o-wit...see-yer/oong-k'-choonk, oong-k'-choonk, oong-k'-choonk," (pg. 30). The poem features the bird calls of 19 different birds, and the poem begs to be read aloud and imitated. This poem is onomatopoeia at its best. What a perfect poem for a story time with children, or for an introduction to a science lesson about birds in the wild.

The poems vary in length, anywhere from two lines to two pages or more. This collection would appeal to younger children, up to reading age, and beyond, especially if they have already had some exposure to the authors, as well as anyone who is fascinated by found words or items.  This book proves the point of its challenge- to find poems in the words all around us, literally everywhere we look.

3. POEM HIGHLIGHT 
The poem I would like to highlight from this outstanding collection is the one that caused me to gasp out loud, with delight. It was found by Susan Marie Swanson, in the American Heritage Dictionary, from the first entry for the word "light." As a fun and educational follow-up activity, the children would look in newspapers, magazines, and around the room (at book titles, etc.) to create their own "found poems," with the option of sharing aloud.

THINKING ABOUT LIGHT WITH THE DICTIONARY OPEN

Light
may be
the human eye.
The brightness of a lamp.
Illumination.
Daybreak.
A source of fire or awareness.

Understanding.
A way of looking
set on fire.

(Found poem by Susan Marie Swanson)

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Follow Follow - Book Review

This post was written as a Master's course assignment for Texas Woman's University.

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Singer, Marilyn. 2013. FOLLOW FOLLOW. Illustrated by Josee Masse. New York, NY: The Penguin Group. ISBN 9780803737693

2. BOOK SUMMARY
Marilyn Singer created the intriguing form of poetry that appears in this book, called "reverso" poems. Intricately designed and difficult to execute, the lines of poems appear on the page, giving the reader one impression, and on the opposite side, the lines appear in reverse (with minor changes in punctuation and capitalization, if needed) with a completely different meaning, sometimes the direct opposite of the first. With this fascinating concept, bolstered by beautiful, colorful illustrations by Josee Masse, Singer's book offers a fabulous take on some old favorite fairy tales. This book would appeal to very young children, especially those who have had some exposure to the classic fairy tales that are highlighted throughout the book. Adults may also find enjoyment and a nostalgic look back at a new take on their old childhood favorites.

Within each page, the reverso poems offer a contradictory perspective, often with an element of sly humor. For instance, in the first poem, "FAIRY TALES," the reversed lines look like this:
         I.                                             II.
"I beg your pardon-                  "Fairies helped?
fairies helped."                        I beg your pardon!"

The author demonstrates a lot of thought in each line, because it must be considered both backwards and forwards in the stanza. The illustrations spice up the poems and add a lot of winking humor as well, as in "BIRTHDAY SUIT" (based on "THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES"), where a nearly naked Emperor appears, with his mirrored reflection showing a man clothed in elegant garb.

Throughout FOLLOW FOLLOW, the reader starts to really understand that there are two sides (or more) to every story. This sets a wonderful example for children, especially in learning about perspective and perception. The word choices are phenomenal and sparse, adding to the impressive feat that is accomplished on each page.

"SILLY GOOSE" (based on "THE GOLDEN GOOSE") is a wonderful example of how to approach and appreciate life, based on a positive vs. a negative attitude:

       I.                                                  II.
 "Laugh?                                        "Who can
 I was born to                                be serious all the time?
 be serious all the time."               I was born to 
                                                    laugh."

The author uses a current approach to the poem titles, updating the classics to fit the modern day, such as: "READY, STEADY, GO" (based on "THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE") and "WILL THE REAL PRINCESS PLEASE STAND UP?" (based on "THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA"). And a clear feminist perspective emerges in "THE LITTLE MERMAID'S CHOICE" (based on "THE LITTLE MERMAID"), which is highlighted below.

Playing on the concept of "the other side of the mirror" and "the devil's advocate," Singer offers a new spin on these classic fairy tales, and of course, the final poem is a perfect ending to send the reader off to sleep: "NOW IT'S TIME TO SAY GOOD NIGHT."

3. POEM HIGHLIGHT
The one poem I would like to highlight from this collection, since I can't share them all, is the new take on "THE LITTLE MERMAID," Singer's "THE LITTLE MERMAID'S CHOICE." The classic side appears first, as the Mermaid debates about whether or not to give up her life, and her voice, in order to please her potential mate. The reverso, from a feminist's perspective, offers a contradictory voice that urges the Mermaid to consider what it's worth to give up her home and her talents. 

As an educational follow-up activity, I would use this poem to introduce a learning section (with slightly older children) about meaning of feminism, the feminist movement, and some of the notable written works about it. I would also lead a written reflective assignment in which the readers will think and write about a time that they chose to give up something they cared very much about, and what kinds benefits or disappointments were the result.

THE LITTLE MERMAID'S CHOICE

For love,                                      You'll never catch me
give up your voice.                       playing
Don't                                            "Catch him."
think twice.                                 You can't
On the shore,                               be docile
be his shadow.                              in the unruly sea.
Don't                                            Keep your home.
keep your home                            Don't
in the unruly sea.                          be his shadow
Be docile.                                     on the shore.
You can't                                      Think twice!
catch him                                     Don't
playing                                         give up your voice
"You'll never catch me!"                 for love.

(By Marilyn Singer)