Bibliography
Wong, Janet. Declaration of
Interdependence: Poems for an Election Year. Princeton, New Jersey:
PoetrySuitcase.com. 2012. ISBN 9781468191912. Print.
Review
Janet Wong’s collection of election year poems will appeal to readers of all
ages. Avoiding any political slant, Wong’s poems are fresh, entertaining, even
comic at times. The 20 poems touch on a range of election-related topics that
begin with the freedom to vote and move through absentee ballots, televised
debates (“They should call these things ‘Duh-baits,’/ the way those guys are
baited.”), primaries and caucuses, ballots, and finally a winner (“Can’t stand
the winner./ Don’t feel like eating dinner./ I’m worried about our country./ Is
our future doomed?/ Mom says: the country’s fine--/ but can you clean your
room?” ). Simple enough to be enjoyed by grade school children, but
thought-provoking enough to stir up deep discussion among older readers, the
poetry collection also includes a voter’s journal and discussion guide with 12
discussion/writing prompts. The book is available primarily as an e-book which
adds appeal due to ease in procurement and cost-effectiveness for readers.
Perhaps the greatest additional feature of the book is the online blog site TheDeclarationOfInterdependenceBlog.blogspot.com
that engages readers in discussing the poems and related topics. Wong’s timely
book will be a particular favorite among teachers seeking ways to help students
personalize the presidential election experience.
Reviews
Customer
reviews from Amazon.com:
“Three cheers for Janet Wong for providing this collection
of thought provoking and reassuring poems just as the election process heads
toward a heated finish. Many of her poems bring wry smiles and all of them give
the reader serious thoughts to ponder and nod over in agreement. Readers of all
ages will finish this book with a deeper sense of pride in our country and
gratitude for being an American.”
“Janet Wong's Declaration of Interdependence: Poems for an
Election Year is smart bit of work. ePublished in Amazon's Kindle store and
delivered for a whisper (and a song), these are fresh-picked poems are perfect
for this season but well-crafted enough to have value beyond the current
election cycle.”
Sample poem:
Occupy the TV
I can’t wait for the election
to be over , to be done.
This president selection:
99% no fun.
The cable TV coverage
occupies too many channels
With nonstop blah-blah-blabbing
by some not-so-expert panels.
They should call these things “Duh-baits,”
the way those guys are baited
Into acting so ridiculous
they seem uneducated.
I think they must be smarter.
They simply must know more
than they’re showing us—say what?
You and me in ’24?
Connections:
English
Language Arts :
Use
the Voter’s Guide at the back of the poetry books for inner/outer circle
discussion and writing prompts.
Samples:
Ridiculous:
Write a list of the most ridiculous (or scariest or most impractical) ideas
you’ve heard from presidential candidates (official and unofficial).
Inspiring:
Write a list of the most inspiring or sensible ideas you’ve heard from
presidential candidates (official or unofficial) in this election.
Social
Studies :
Have
student groups select their own “dream team” candidates for president and
vice president. Students will research the candidate backgrounds and
qualifications to create a wiki site with original campaign materials,
platform issues, etc. for their “candidates.”
Research
electoral college votes and make a map for tracking votes on presidential election night.
Have students write responsive poems about the election results.
More Resources:
See Janet Wong’s blog
at TheDeclarationOfInterdependenceBlog.blogspot.com
for more activities, discussion ideas, and sample poems from the book.
Share Janet Wong’s
Poetry Suitcase idea with students and have them help create a poetry
suitcase of election related-memorabilia to accompany their own original election poems.
