Blue Lipstick by John Grandits

Blue Lipstick by John Grandits

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grandits, John, 2007, Blue Lipstick, Clarion Books, New York, ISBN 0618568603

PLOT SUMMARY

Blue Lipstick is a collection of poems written by Jessie, a not so typical 15 year old high school girl. Jessie conveys high school life through poetic journal entries which address her accounts with her parents, a younger brother, classmates and teachers.  Jessie’s narratives are clever, surprising and totally entertaining.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

John Grandit’s collection of concrete poems assimilated and spoken through the eyes of high school student Jessie are witty, humorous and graphically fun. The rhythm in Blue Lipstick is unique and in free verse. As with most concrete poems, the graphic elements are critical to the flow or movement within each poem.  Grandit’s language and emotional impact serve as the backbone to the typographical arrangement and the intended message to be conveyed to the adolescent audience; a humorous and graphical appealing spin on the woes of high school life.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal, “This irreverent, witty collection should resonate with a wide audience.”

Horn Book, “A cover that’ll grab adolescent girls’ attention—and the poetry inside is equally appealing.”

Kirkus Reviews, "After suffering indignities at the pen of ... Robert (TECHNICALLY, IT'S NOT MY FAULT, 2004), big sister Jessie gets her chance."

Bulletin of the center for Children's Books, “Friendly and accessible… it will undoubtedly inspire a multitude or curricular uses.”

AWARDS: 

2008 Lee Bennett Hopkins Award Honor Book
ALA Notable Book for Children
ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
National Parenting Publications Book Award
School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year

CONNECTIONS
Commercial Acting- Have students vote on which group they would most likely use the services of.
Group Theatre – Have the whole class read aloud the poem. Have a “Jessie” and an “Elton” to do the dialogue.
Group Activity- Put students in groups of three. One reading the part of the narrator, one being Jessie, and one being the brother.
Journal Activities-  Students will make an entry for their journals. It will be a concrete poem using their words to make pictures.
Self-Reflection-Students will write about a time they were frustrated about something to do with growing up.

Other recommended concrete poetry books:

Grandits, John. 2004. Technically, It’s Not My Fault: Concrete Poems. Sandpiper, ISBN 0618503617
Janeczko, Paul. 2005. A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems. Candlewick, ISBN 0763623768
Fleishman, Paul. 2004. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. Harper Collins, ISBN 006021852

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki, 2002, Bronx Masquerade, Hampton-Brown, Carmel, California, ISBN 0803725698

PLOT SUMMARY

When, Mr. Ward, a high-school English teacher in Bronx, New York assigns an essay as a follow up to a unit on Harlem Renaissance,  his student Wesley choses to write a series of poems instead.  Wesley’s poetry becomes the catalyst for Mr. Ward’s weekly Open Mike Fridays.  Mr. Ward’s English class begins using poetry as a forum for self-expression and as a vehicle for dealing with the struggles and pressures associated inner city adolescence.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Nikki Grimes brilliantly intertwines novel with poetic verse.  This heartfelt story is beautifully revealed through the use of 18 culturally diverse students’ voices to convey the hardships and tribulations of inner city teens. The emotion captured through powerful language selection, creates intense imagery to accompany the eloquent yet often gritty subject matter.  These formidable experiences, expressed through poetry leave the reader wanting more.  The brief glimpse into each students’ lives is simply too abrupt. Perhaps Ms. Grimes will write a second verse novel continuing the journey of these 18 teens as they transcend into adulthood.

Bronx Masquerade is sure to spark many great discussions nationwide and maybe even inspiring students to use poetry to express their feelings and opinions about assumptions, prejudices and revelations.  A must read for young adults 12 and up!   (Novel contains mature content which should be approved by parents and/or school.)        

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus, starred review, "This is almost like a play for 18 voices, as Grimes...moves her narration among a group of high school students in the Bronx. The English teacher, Mr. Ward, accepts a set of poems from Wesley, his response to a month of reading poetry from the Harlem Renaissance. Soon there's an open-mike poetry reading, sponsored by Mr. Ward, every month, and then later, every week. The chapters in the students' voices alternate with the poem read by that student, defiant, shy, and terrified. All of them, black, Latino, white, male, and female, talk about the unease and alienation endemic to their ages, and they do it in fresh and appealing voices...Beyond those capsules are rich and complex teens, and their tentative reaching out to each other increases as though the poems they also find more of themselves

Horn Book, "A poet herself, author Grimes creates a montage of voices whose commonality rests in their sense of isolation and yearning to belong. Whether their poems...are in rap, free verse, or conscious rhyme, these kids surprise one another in part with how much they are alike. In shared pain and need, they all become poets; as readers, we want to believe their individual poetic gifts, even as we hear Grimes's considerable talent behind theirs...the book...succeeds because it makes us want the best for these voices so clearly heard."

School Library Journal, "A flowing, rhythmic portrait of the diversity and individuality of teen characters in a classroom in Anywhere, U.S.A...Readers meet Tyrone, an aspiring songwriter who sees no use for school; Lupe, who thinks that becoming a mother would give her the love she lacks in her life; and Janelle, who is struggling with her body image...Competent and reluctant readers alike will recognize and empathize with these teens. As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they're looking for—real characters who show them they are not alone."

AWARDS: 

2003 Coretta Scott King Author Award
Best Book for Young Adults
Children's Literature Choice
Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers
Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
Tayshas High School Reading List (Texas)
Notable Books for a Global Society

 CONNECTIONS

Verbal / Linguistic: Write your own poem for Open Mike Friday.
Logical /Mathematical: Choose any two characters from the book and create a Venn diagram Visual /Spatial: Using any media (from crayons and oils, to charcoal and magazines ) create a self-portrait of one of the characters.
Body/ Kinesthetic:  Either memorize and perform a poem from Bronx Masquerade, a Harlem Renaissance artist, or perform your own poem.
Musical /Rhythmic:  Write a brief compare/contrast essay (even Mr. Ward's students had to write essays) about lyrics and poetry. What makes them similar? How are they different? Which one, do you think, has the most influence and why? Give examples.
Intrapersonal: Write a journal response after Open Mike Friday. Consider the following:
1. What did you learn about someone that you didn't expect?
2. Who surprised you the most? Why?
3. Whose poetry did you most admire? Why?
4. Would you want to do this again? Why or why not? 

Other recommended verse novels for young adult readers:

Hopkins, Ellen, Crank, ISBN 1416995137
Herrara, Juan Felipe, CrashBoomLove, ISBN 0826321143
Smith, Kristen, The Geography of Girlhood, ISNB B005IUW640
Frost, Helen, Keesha's House, ISNB 0374400121

THE SURRENDER TREE by Margarita Engle

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Engle, Margarita, 2008, The Surrender Tree, Henry Holt and Company, New York, ISBN 0805086749

PLOT SUMMARY

2009 Newbery Honor Book, The Surrender Tree is a gripping novel in poetic verse which documents Cuba’s historical struggles for liberation.  This haunting story, narrated through the poetry of 5 characters, guides its readers through the struggles and brutality of war, hiding and independence.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Margarita Engle provides a compassionate and emotional account of Cuban history which is raw, honest and moving.  This powerful collection of poems eloquently details the history and geography of Cuban culture. Engle’s rhythm is short and simple with strong emotional impact. The language is vibrant yet straightforward which resonates with young adult readers.  As expressed through eyes of Rosa, a nurse committed to helping save lives, “The little war/ how can there be a little war/  are some deaths smaller than others/ leaving mothers to weep a little less?” Engle’s depictions of Cuba’s struggles are uncomplicatedly mesmerizing.

A riveting free verse historical tale which belongs in every library and in every middle school classroom: a captivating example of integrated international culture and government into American literature.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Engle writes her new book in clear, short lines of stirring free verse. Caught by the compelling narrative voices, many readers will want to find out more.”—Booklist, starred review

“A powerful narrative in free verse . . . haunting.”—The Horn Book

“Hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba’s troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments.”—School Library Journal

“Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The poems are short but incredibly evocative.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

AWARDS: 

Newbery Honor 2009   

NCSS Notable Social Studies Children's Book

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Notable Children's Book

Booklist Editors' Choice Children's Book

Pura Belpre Author Award

 

CONNECTIONS

-Poetry Browse: Provide volumes of poetry in the classroom for students to browse through and enjoy. You might also provide a form for students to record favorite poems and their responses to poems.

-Favorite Poem: Ask students to bring in and read aloud a favorite poem (include song lyrics if age-appropriate).
-Host a poetry night and invite students’ family and friends.
-As students explore the theme of “crossing borders,” one of the desired outcomes is an increased social consciousness.  As a final product, consider compiling an anthology of students’ poems (and possibly artwork).
-Have students make a visual interpretation of their poem by creating a collage of words and images that conveys its message.

 Other recommended verse novels:

Willard, Nancy, A VISIT TO WILLIAM BLAKE’S INN, ISBN 0152938230,

Fleischman, Paul, JOYFUL NOISE, ISBN 0060218525
Sidman, Joyce, DARK EMPEROR, ISBN 0547152280
Schlitz, Laura Amy, GOOD MASTERS! SWEET LADIES!  ISBN 0763650943  
Nelson, Marilyn, CARVER: A LIFE IN POEMS, ISBN 1886910537