Poetry books encompass many various types of verse written by authors. Often, people think of poetry as short pieces of writing, and poetry books as collections of these pieces. However, poetry can also include lyrics that musicians write or entire novels written as free-verse poetry.
The Blacker the Berry
Written By: Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrated By: Floyd Cooper
Reviewer: Christopher Schiemann
Grade Level: K-3
Reading Level: 2.9
This collection of poems celebrates the diversity of the students who are black, by providing pride in their race and all of their varying backgrounds. The book begins with a simple page that states, "Colors, without black, couldn't sparkle quite so bright." This short and quick read serves as a great tool for teaching younger students that race is more complicated than appearances, and that diversity really does go much deeper.
Inside Out & Back Again
By: Thanhha Lai
Grade Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 4.9
From the Publisher: No one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama. For all the ten years of her life, HA has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . . and the beauty of her very own papaya tree. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. HA and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, HA discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape . . . and the strength of her very own family. This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.
Ubiquitous: celebrating nature's survivors
By: Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by: Beckie Prange
Grade Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 6.8
From the Publisher: From the creators of the Caldecott Honor Book Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems . . . Ubiquitous (yoo-bik-wi- tuhs): Something that is (or seems to be) everywhere at the same time. Why is the beetle, born 265 million years ago, still with us today? (Because its wings mutated and hardened). How did the gecko survive 160 million years? (by becoming nocturnal and developing sticky toe pads.) How did the shark and the crow and the tiny ant survive millions and millions of years? When 99 percent of all life forms on earth have become extinct, why do some survive? And survive not just in one place, but in many places: in deserts, in ice, in lakes and puddles, inside houses and forest and farmland? Just how do they become ubiquitous?
My Hippo Has the Hiccups
By: Kenn Nesbitt
Illustrated by: Ethan Long
Grade Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 4.4
From the Publisher: Kenn Nesbitt's hilarious poetry is adored by kids. They just can't get enough of the great beats, wonderful imagery, and good ol'belly laughs his poetry contains! With over a hundred poems included, most of them new but some old favorites too, My Hippo Has the Hiccups is a laugh-out-loud good time. The audio CD features lots of the great poem readings and zany humor that make Kenn one of the most widely sought school speakers in the country. From angry vegetables to misbehaving robots to the boy who is only half a werewolf, these are all officially poems Kenn totally made up: my robot does my homework! | i bought a pet banana! | when vegetables are angry... Be sure to visit Kenn online at the world's most popular poetry site for kids: poetry4kids.com