![]() Rankine's "American lyric" takes several angles at what it means to be a citizen in this country as a person of color. She writes in prose, staccato anecdotes, poetry, and more. The variety of styles reflect the varied content and Rankine's nuanced purpose in writing this collection. I read this book because it was recently approved by the school district to read as a whole-class text, but there has been a suggestion that teachers would need to be instructed on how to teach it before they lead their class through it. This made me hella curious. What kind of book do I need to be instructed on how to teach? What is in it that is more sensitive than the vulgarity and brutality of the novels I already read with students? Sure, after reading the book I am eager to discuss it with my colleagues, but I do not know that it warrants top-down instruction. Give it a read and decide for yourself.
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![]() Love That Dog is an endearing story of a young boy's experience learning about poetry in his class. Although Jack repeatedly says his words are not poems, Creech writes the entire story in verse and according to plot, Jack's teacher believes his words are poetry. I read this book again because it was recently brought up in conversation, but I remember one of my teachers reading Love That Dog to the class in elementary school. Jack is a relatable young boy and he ultimately tells quite a heartfelt story through his poetry. This time reading the book was possibly better than the first because I am more familiar now with the poems Jack reads in class and which he samples in his own writing. ![]() Josh his twin brother, Jordan, are star basketball players at their junior high. But when Jordan gets a girlfriend and their dad has a health issue, things don't look so golden for Josh. Written in verse, this story is a sweet tale of brotherhood, athletics, and family that is a real charmer. Gene Luen Yang referenced this book when I heard him speak at the library as an important text that fueled his interest sports. The verse format makes this a breezy and fresh read, and it adds to rather than detracts from the serious story playing out on the pages. |
J. HiEBERBibliophile Archives
June 2020
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