HOOP KINGS by Charles R. Smith, Jr.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Smith, Charles R. JR. 2004. HOOP KINGS. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763614238

PLOT SUMMARY:
HOOP KINGS puts basketball players in verse form. It spotlights famous basketball players like Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garrett and Kobe Bryant. Each player, twelve in all, has an individual poem that describes and highlights the players best attribute. The poems are accompanied by large photos of the player. Each photograph illustrates the player in action with a spectacular display of athletic abiblity. An enormous actual-size footprint of Shaquille's basktball shoe accompanies his poem on a large fold out page in the book. The poems are also identified by the player's numbers instead of page numbers. To end the experience. Charle R. Smith, Jr. offers notes with a commentary on the player and why he wrote in the style that he did about that player.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The basketball players that Smith chose to write about is probably one of the most appealing qualities of this book of poetry. His choosing current famous players makes this book appealing to many who might not otherwise choose a poetry book. The photographs of the players in action would be another factor that would draw reluctant readers to HOOP KINGS, especially boys who might not choose to read poetry. The display of Shaquilles' life size shoe print adds to the credibility of what the author says about the players. The author's admiration for the 12 talented male athletes is evident through is writings and the notes he adds about each at the end of the book. Sports fans of many ages would enjoy reading this poetry about the athletes in HOOP KINGS. Boys, especially who might not be interested in poetry, would find the book fun and entertaining. They may suddenly decide that poetty is interesting.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST - " Illuminating notes on each poem's style or central image tempt readers to turn back the pages for repeated looks."
COOPERATIVE CHILDREN"S BOOK CENTER CHOICES - "Twelve other NBA stars are celebrated in jamming action poems accompanined by large photographs embellished with electric designs."
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION - "This is another visually impressive book by Charles Smith, Jr., who has authored other books that blend his love of basketball and poetry."

CONNECTIONS:
HOOP KINGS encourages students to read poetry that is different from traditional literature. Encourages the athletic student who otherwise might not read anything.

Use this book in a poetry unit. Divide class into groups and assign different kinds of poetry books. Let students discuss why they like the type of potry they chose and try writing their own poetry of the chosen type.

THE FIREFLY LETTERS by Margarita Engle

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Engle, Margarita. 2010. THE FIREFLY LETTERS: A SUFFRAGETTES"S JOURNEY TO CUBA. New York: Henry Holt and Co. ISBN 9780805090826

PLOT SUMMARY:
Margarita Engle, A Cuban American poet wrote THE FIREFLY LETTRERS based on the diaries of Fredrika Bremer. The sroty of Cicilia , a teenage slave who was traded by her own father for a cow tells her feelings of living the life she was sold in to. Readers hear alternatley from Cecilia, Fredrika and Elena. Fredrka is an advocate for women's rights while Elena is a 12 year old Cuban who feels trapped in her world of wealth. The three characters explore the countryside in Cuban as they form a bond that will amaze and inspire readers.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The writing of Margarita Engle takes the reader on a magical journey as she reveals the feelings of oppression that women and people of color have lived with througout history. The feelings and thoughts of the women are effectively communicated with the use of similes and metaphors. The book is based on historical events of a visit Fredrika Bremer took to Cuba in 1851. Her writings are a display of the author's powerful emotions through her simple verse. A simple to understand easy reading acount of historical fiction.

REVIEW EXCEPTS:
"And like the firefly light, Engle's poetry is a gossamer thread of subtle beauty weaving together three memorable characters who together find hope and courage." KIRKUS Starred Review.

"Through this moving combination of historcial viewpoints, Engle creates dramatic tension among the characters, especially in the story of Elena, who makes a surprising sacrifice." - BOOKLIST

"The easily digestible, poetic narrative makes this a perfiect choice for reluctant readers, students fo the women's movement, those interested in Cuba, and teens with biography assignments." - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

CONNECTIONS:
Use as an example of how potry can be used to tell a story with history integrated.

Discuss the friendships of the 3 women and what created the bond for the three women.

BLUE LIPSTICK by John Grandits

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Grandits, John. c2007. BLUE LIPSTICK: CONCRETE POEMS. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780618568604

PLOT SUMMARY:
BLUE LIPSTICK is a book of concrete poems written in the voice and thoughts of a 15 year old girl named Jessie. She writes the poetry to illustrate the typical concerns and thoughts of adolescents she and others like her face in a teenager's world. Jessie talks about things like new hairstyles, playing volleyball and cello, and dealing with her annoying little brother. The poems take the shape of their themes. For example, "All My Important Thinking Gets Done in the Shower" is written in the shape of water streaming out of a showerhead.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
BLUE LIPSTICK would be a great resource for showing students examples of concrete poems. The topics are those that middle and high schoolers would find interesting and relevant to their own lives. This book would be excellent for using with a poetry unit or for leisure reading. The design is simple and easy to read. Each of the 34 poems takes a certain shape as the author tries to paint a picture of what the teenager, Jessie, is talking about. As with any shape poem, the concreteness, adds to the meaning of the poetry. The topics that teenagers deal with are used in a way that it gives the reader a real insight into a teenager's thinking process. This book would be appropriate for any adolescent, but it would also be beneficial and interesting reading for parents and teachers of this age group.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION - "Purchase this thin, highly creative collection to involve teens in poetry in an engaging and humorous way. Recommended"

THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS - "Design is friendlly and accessible... This has enough activity to appeal to fans of sophistocated poetry and enough energy to draw those who find the sophisticated stuff merely dull, and it will undoubtedly inspire a multitude of curricular uses."

LEE BENNETT HOPKINS POETRY AWARD, 2008 Honor Book, United States.
SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA JOURNAL BEST BOOKS, 2007
Notable Children's Books, 2008 ALSC

CONNECTIONS:
Students divide into groups of 2 or 3. Assign poetry to groups, Each group discusses poetry and Jessie's problem or idea presented in the poem. Come up with a solution to her problem.
Show exampels of concrete poetry. Students think of a topic that might be faced by adolescents. Write poem and make a large posster to present the poem.