VVMBookBlog

Written in poetry form using few words, Kek tells a compelling story about escaping from Sudan in Africa after his father and brother were killed, leaving his mother behind, and coming to live in Minneapolis.  He comes to live with his aunt and cousin, arriving in winter to experience cold and snow for the first time.  Riding to his new home with Dave from the resettlement center, he asks to stop when he sees a cow inside a fence along the road.  That  cow is his one connection to his old life.

The story goes on to tell how he adjusts to live in America, going to school in his ESL classes, meeting new friends, and finding a way to care for Gol, the cow.  But all the while he worries about his mother back in Sudan.  Everyone says he probably won’t see her again.  He just can’t accept that.  What do you think will happen?

Read this Maud Hart Lovelace reading list entry for a new way to think about students who come to our country–and our school–directly from another country.

To everyone’s surprise, suddenly formerly-very-popular Sophie Stein and forever-very-loser Robin Murphy are an item.  In fact, Robin is such a loser that his last name–Murphy–is just another name for “loser” in their 9th grade class.  Both are very artistic and understand there are more important things in life than popularity.  Robin is invited to audit a Harvard college art class and for the first time experiences acceptance among his fellow students for who he is, his sense of humor, and his talent. (Although his age is still a secret!)  Robin also, however, sees how hard it is on Sophie to have her friends turn on her, and decides he has to do something to make it right.

This is a sequel to What My Mother Doesn’t Know where Sophie was trying to find her “Mr. Right.” This time we see the story from the boy’s point-of-view and hear his thoughts on “the beautiful Sophie.” Written in short free-verse form, it’s a fast, satisfying read.

Another 2006-07 Maud Hart Lovelace book–look for it in the MHL section.

This book is a series of personal reflections of students in Mr. Ward’s high school English class, alternating with poetry written by those students. After a time studying the Harlem Renaissance and poetry from that time, Mr. Ward initiates Open Mike Fridays when students in his class share their poetry with the class. It catches on fast and students are able to see the experiences and feelings they share with others, and what might be behind the person their classmates show to the world.

There really should be more Mr. Wards in the world–a teacher who takes a chance to try something new and allow students a place to use their writing skills to learn more about themselves and their world. It takes lots of trust and courage to be willing to express the depth of feeling that one’s own poetry can evoke, but it can also be a great gift to other people. Some of our VVMS have shared their poetry in the past, either for publication, at the talent shows, or on TV.

Nikki Grimes has a great book here. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get her to come and visit our school?

Written in prose poetry, this story is told in alternating sections by sisters Sarah and Mattie (Matilda) about their journey away from their home to a boarding school. For many years in our history Native American children were removed from their homes, told to forget about their native language and customs, and then assimilate or take on the language and customs of the white people running the schools.

After their mother dies, Sarah and Mattie’s father says goodbye to his daughters with the hope that the school will help them toward a better life. Some of the staff at the school are very cruel, however, especially when Mattie is accused of theft. The girls always work to be good so as not to shame their father, and to be strong when they are being mistreated. It’s troubling to think how many people in our history were subjected to these schools, and how the Native American culture has suffered by generations of children being forced to forget who they were.

I am always amazed when I read a book written in this prose poetry style how authors are able to deliver such a powerful story packaged in so few words. Others written like this are Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff. Ask us in the media center for more examples.

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

Mr. Ward’s class is actually excited about poetry. Each Friday they have an “open mic.” This is giving all students a chance to share their poetry even students who have never written a poem. It’s a chance for Tyrone to practice his hip-hop lyrics and Lupe a chance let her class know she’s “more than a pretty face.” After all this diverse class does not really know each other. This changes as Friday becomes even more popular.

Bronx Masquerade is a unique book that tells the story of these eighteen teenagers in verse and prose (poetry and story). Each student has his/her own challenges to face, and the reader is able to follow the individual stories.

Ms. Moeller