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