Day 4, Poetry in Prose
Some stories can't be told without the beautiful form of poetry to assist them. Recently, there seem to be a lot of lyrical novels, novels told in poetry form, hitting the shelves, especially for middle grade students. Here are two of my favorites from the year. These would be great gifts for that child who has a heart as big as the world, notices the world around them, and stares at the clouds and stars whenever possible.
The Red Pencil by Andrea Pinkney and illustrated by Shane Evans
Amira is a 12-year old girl living in a rural Sudan. She enjoys her farm, her new lamb, and dreams of going to school when her friend leaves for a school in Nyala. One day that all comes to a halt when her town is attacked by the Janjaweed. Homes are burned, her lamb is lost, and her father is shot down before her eyes. The Red Pencil is both heart breaking and eye opening. Andrea Pinkney explains that sometimes the toughest stories need to be written in lyrical prose, there is just no other way to experience them. Between her beautiful language and Shane Evans' illustrations (remember him? from the thing I did?), Amira's story balances between her words and sketches. This is a book the current fifth graders in my school are reading. They read A Long Walk to Water last year and I think both these books are perfect for showing students what is happening in the world around them.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Brown Girl Dreaming is getting, and has been getting, all the buzz for a looooong time. I blogged about the book earlier in the year. Jacqueline Woodson brings her own story to life in this lyrical memoir. She describes her struggles with reading and her relentless pursuit of becoming a writer. Most recently Brown Girl Dreaming won the National Book Award (which stirred a little controversy itself.) Mostly I loved this story for its sincerity and simplicity, taking on a life that is not simple at all. Woodson's life story is one that every reader can finds a voice. I am taking a leap and throwing this on as one of my favorite books ever. Yes, ever. You can disagree, but I'm making that official.
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Yes, all my books come from the BPL |
The Red Pencil by Andrea Pinkney and illustrated by Shane Evans
Amira is a 12-year old girl living in a rural Sudan. She enjoys her farm, her new lamb, and dreams of going to school when her friend leaves for a school in Nyala. One day that all comes to a halt when her town is attacked by the Janjaweed. Homes are burned, her lamb is lost, and her father is shot down before her eyes. The Red Pencil is both heart breaking and eye opening. Andrea Pinkney explains that sometimes the toughest stories need to be written in lyrical prose, there is just no other way to experience them. Between her beautiful language and Shane Evans' illustrations (remember him? from the thing I did?), Amira's story balances between her words and sketches. This is a book the current fifth graders in my school are reading. They read A Long Walk to Water last year and I think both these books are perfect for showing students what is happening in the world around them.
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I just noticed these pictures are terrible! And I returned the book! Man, I sincerely apologize for that! Now you HAVE to get the book! |
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Brown Girl Dreaming is getting, and has been getting, all the buzz for a looooong time. I blogged about the book earlier in the year. Jacqueline Woodson brings her own story to life in this lyrical memoir. She describes her struggles with reading and her relentless pursuit of becoming a writer. Most recently Brown Girl Dreaming won the National Book Award (which stirred a little controversy itself.) Mostly I loved this story for its sincerity and simplicity, taking on a life that is not simple at all. Woodson's life story is one that every reader can finds a voice. I am taking a leap and throwing this on as one of my favorite books ever. Yes, ever. You can disagree, but I'm making that official.
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This was just what I needed to hear, I couldn't come up with words to describe my own sadness. Woodson did so here. |
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