This summer I discovered two verse novels for middle graders at my summertime library. Perhaps one or both have been shared before, but they're treasures to me, who will also be celebrating a birthday this month.
GONE CAMPING, written by Tamera Will Wissinger and illustrated by Matthew Cordell, is a fun book that is also a resource encouraging kids to explore writing poetry in different forms. (HMH, 2017)
Sam and Lucy are first time campers with their parents, but Lucy is a bit fearful as the camping trip begins.
The Woods Ahead
Rondelet
In the woods ahead
Branches and shadows reach everywhere.
In the woods ahead
How will I ever go to bed?
Who knows what creatures lurk in there.
Could be raccoons, or fox, or bear
In the woods ahead.
The extensive appendix explains rhyme, rhythm, poetic techniques and forms while referencing the book's poems.
Nikki Grimes' GARVEY'S CHOICE (Wordsong, 2016) is an important verse novel with themes of bullying, parental relationships and finding one's own voice. Grimes uses 5 -line tanka verses to tell Garvey's story. She's a master!
Origami
Mom's got a talent
for origami, but she
can't fold me into
the jock Dad wants me to be.
At least she knows not to try.
Go here if you want to visit Tamera Will Wissinger and Nikki Grimes.
Click over to Reflections on the Teche for Margaret's Birthday Treasures, amazing student poems that begin a new year, and all Poetry Friday treasures. Thank you, Margaret!
I'm glad you found them and loved these two, Joyce. I agree that they are special, will make good read alouds too, inspiring more poetry. Thanks for the reminder to re-read!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! I admit I found them because the librarian had placed them on the top shelf!
DeleteThese books both sound good. I've seen the covers before and will now move them up higher on my 'to read' pile. Thanks & Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia. Garvey's Choice is just amazing. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
DeleteI love Tamera Will Wissinger's Gone Fishing and will have to check out Gone Camping. Based on "Origami", I'll also add Garvey's Choice to my list! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Molly. I haven't read Gone Fishing, so will look for it. I know you'll love Garvey's Choice.
DeleteI love that Nikki Grimes poem, and I can't believe it has the same metaphor I used in the golden shovel I'm planning to put up on Monday! What a wonderful tanka. I hope the metaphor I used works as well in my poem.
ReplyDeleteNikki Grimes is amazing, and that metaphor was perfect. I'll look for your poem!
DeleteTamera's books are such sweet fun... great choice for any young reader (and a sneaky way to get poetry into their lives!). When I read GARVEY, I was in awe of all those tankas... and THEY TELL A STORY. Such craftsmanship! These poets are amazing. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Irene. I agree that GARVEY shows elegant craftsmanship. And Tarmara's book is just that-sweet fun with an invitation to join in. She offers so many ways into poetry!
DeleteThank you for these! I'm newish to reading verse novels and am loving them. Can't wait to explore these, especially "Gone Fishing!" Happy Friday! -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Christie and commenting, Christie.
DeleteNikki Grimes is just a national treasure. It's staggering how much she can convey with just a handful of well-chose words.
ReplyDeleteYes, a national treasure!Well put. Thank you, Jane.
DeleteI loved both of these verse novels, as well as Gone Fishing. Perfect choices!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I appreciate your stopping by. Thanks!
DeleteI haven't read either of these yet, but I want to! Thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteKay, I hope you enjoy them if you are able to locate them. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThanks for the recommendations. I have recently gotten into verse novels. They're incredible when done well.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca. Garvey's Choice fits the incredible description. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteBoth of these are new to me! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth,Gone Camping is for younger readers. Garvey's Choice for older MG. I hope you locate them! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI'd like to read these, Joyce. It makes me feel inspired to try a tanka flash story (with just two or three tanka) :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting! Yes, a tanka flash story is a great idea. Nikki Grimes sometimes uses three together on a page to move Garvey's story forward.
DeleteHi Joyce, thanks for sharing these two rich books, I was familiar with " Gone Camping," but not Garvey's Choice–what a wonderful tanka!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I love it when others share books they discover. There are so many treasures out there!
DeleteLooking forward to exploring both of these, which I've known of but not actually read. Thanks for the nudge!
ReplyDeleteHi, Heidi. Thanks for your comment. It's good to "see" you here.
ReplyDelete