The Other Side: Shorter Poems

Bibliography

Johnson, Angela. 1998. The Other Side: Shorter Poems. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 978-0531301142.

Review

In this book of free verse poetry, Johnson writes about her memories of growing up in the African-American community of Shorter, AL before it was bulldozed away. Some of the poems are those of an ordinary childhood describing the red dirt, hiding places, and piano lessons ending in tears. However, Johnson also touches on more serious subjects such as her father’s nightmares after returning from Vietnam and the slash across her uncle’s forehead that was inflicted by a “redneck” when he tried to order lemonade at a lunch counter. Johnson eloquently describes the significance of the slash in the poem “Counters”:

All I can think is

how terrible it was

 and how beautiful

it made him.

The book was a 1999 winner of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award as well as a Coretta Scott King Award Honor. The free verse format will be appealing to young adults as the poems read like short stories packed with conflicting emotions about a town that once was Shorter, AL.  The black and white photos put faces to the folks of Shorter and create an authenticity that will further draw reader’s to this collection of poetic memories.

Classroom/Library Connection

Recommended audience: middle school and high school students

This historical poetry book highlights events from the 1960s and 1970s. It would be good to pair with a unit on civil rights or with To Kill A Mockingbird. In the poem “Nineties”, Johnson describes her reaction to a racial slur shouted to her when she moved to Cleveland Ohio. She ends the poem by saying,

Had to make Mama stop

so I could look at the

face of somebody who

dressed like me

and probably

wanted what I did

from the world,

but would never live in

mine.

Have the students read the poem with a partner.

After Reading: As a whole group discuss the misconception that racism was/is confined to the south. Then allow students to respond to the final lines by doing a think-pair-share. Have students discuss with a partner why they think it was important to the poet to look at the person shouting the degrading word at her. Have them try to consolidate their answer into 1-5 words and text it to a text wall by using polleverywhere.com.

Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2005. Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More. Ill. by Stephen Alcorn. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 978-0060007652.

Review

Lee Bennett Hopkins has collected an array of poems celebrating a calendar year in this brightly illustrated book. Each section begins with a calendar highlighting important events that take place during that month as well as other important tidbits about the month and famous quotes such as “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” by Albert Einstein. The events celebrate people, holidays, historical events, and other fascinating facts that are worth recognizing. There is a table of contents as well as an index divided by title, author, and first line to help readers locate certain poems.

Students will enjoy reading familiar poets such as Langston Hughes and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as well as being introduced to some poets with whom they may not be familiar. The colorful illustrations by Stephen Alcorn create a pleasing, lighthearted feel to the book. Although the mood of the poems are mostly celebratory, some poems are more serious as they deal with more serious historical moments. For example, the poem “A Question for Martin” by Nikki Grimes asks,

Did you wake in the night,

ears bursting and bloody

from the rising crescendo

of your people’s cry?

is that what made you

willing to die?

This honest representation of our history adds to this book’s appeal and provides students with a way to celebrate poetry throughout the year!

Classroom/Library Connection

Recommended audience: 4^th grade and up

Janet Wong’s poem “Prayer for the Lunar New Year” is a great way to get a fresh start. Use this poem at the beginning of a new year to help students set goals.

Before reading: Have students write in their journal about any goals or resolutions they have for this year.

During Reading: Read the poem slowly to students allowing them to look at the picture of the woman with her arms open wide, ready to embrace the new year.

This is the day

you grow another year wiser.

This is the day

you forget what you know to be impossible.

The moon loves to play a game.

Play.

Sweep your grudges out,

scatter them to nothing.

Scrub your wishes pure,

wash your heart clear.

Open your windows wide,

Let the new year begin.

Janet S. Wong

Reread the poem. This time ask students to picture their goal in their head as you read. 

After reading: Give students a picture of a dust bin to “sweep your grudges out”. Have them write down anything they have been holding onto that they need to let go such as doubt and anger that may prevent them from having a good year. Then allow them to fold up their dust bins and throw them away in the trash. Post the poem on chart paper in the classroom and allow students to write their goals around the edges as they open their windows to begin a new year!

No More Homework! No More Tests!: Kids Favorite Funny School Poems

Lansky, Bruce, ed. 1997. No More Homework! No More Tests!: Kids’ Favorite Funny School Poems.. Ill. by Stephen Carpenter. New York: Meadowbrook Press. ISBN 9780671577025.

Review

This book of humorous poems selected by Bruce Lansky will be a favorite amongst elementary school children. The poems deal with school topics such as terrifying tests, disgusting cafeteria food, and even a “how to” poem entitled “How to Torture your Teacher”. The poems are arranged according to theme and accompanied by detailed black and white illustrations. The simple rhymes and concrete meaning will provide a smooth and enjoyable reading experience for children. The familiar school experiences (with a humorous twist) will also be appealing. Students will enjoy the images created such as the stomach turning line from “What’s This” by Helen Ksypka:

It’s heaps of slush—a mass of mush

or gobs of gluey lumps

Students will not be able to put down this book full of lighthearted poetry, and teachers will enjoy reading it aloud to an engaged audience.

Classroom/Library Connection

Recommended audience: 3rd-5th graders

The poem “English is a Pain! (Pane?)” by Shirlee Curlee Bingham highlights the confusion of homophones for students. It is a great poem for a choral reading before a Language Arts lesson.

Before reading: Ask students what are some “pains” they have to deal with at school.

During reading:

English is a Pain! (Pane)

Rain, reign, rein,

English is a pain,

Although the words

sound just alike,

the spelling’s not the same!

Bee, be, B,

I’d rather climb a tree

than learn to spell

the same old word,

not just one way, but three!

Sight, site, cite,

I try with all of my might,

No matter which

I finally choose,

It’s not the one that’s right!

There, their, they’re,

enough to make you swear.

Too many ways

to write one sound,

I just don’t think it’s fair!

To, two, too,

so what’s a kid to do?

I think I’ll go

to live on Mars

and leave this mess with ewe!

(you?)

Shirlee Curlee Bingham

Have students divide into five groups and assign each group a stanza. As they read a stanza, write the three homophones mentioned in the stanza on chart paper.

After reading: Choose a stanza and discuss the meanings of the different words mentioned. Have students work in their group to brainstorm another group of homophones and write their own stanza about the confusing words.