The Way a Door Closes (African American Poetry)

Book Cover compliments of Titlewave

Bibliography

Smith, Hope Anita. The Way a Door Closes. Ill. by Shane W. Evans. New York: Henry Holt and Company. 2003. ISBN 0-8050-6477

Review 

A moving story told in 34 poems, The Way a Door Closes is told by a 13 year old African American boy whose warm family life is broken when his father loses his job and leaves the family without warning. Moving from secure, idyllic poems about family mealtimes, outings with Dad, family pictures, and rich lessons from Grandmomma, the short, free verse poems take a coming-of-age turn as the boy wrestles with wide-ranging emotions that ultimately lead him to accept the circumstances and embrace his family with new commitment. Shane Evans detailed oil painting illustrations in soft browns and occasional splashes of red capture the richness of the nuclear and extended family relationships. Stirring and finally hope filled, the poems will strike a cord in the heart of readers who have experienced family difficulties and loss of a parent figure.

Amazing Faces (Hopkins Collection)

Book Cover compliments of Titlewave

Bibliography

Poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. (2010). Amazing Faces. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. New York: Lee & Low Books. ISBN 1-60060-334-1

Review 

This illustrated anthology of 16 poems reveals the depth and breadth of human emotions as seen in the faces of adults and children of all ethnic backgrounds in America. Everyday life experiences are captured by poets such as Nikki Grimes, Joseph Bruchac, Langston Hughes, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Pat Mora and more. Evoking universal emotional response, the rich watercolor illustrations of Chris Soentpiet that cover a page and a half of each spread bring alive the diverse cultures and familiar emotions reflected in faces such as a gleeful baby, dreaming boy, preening pre-teen, isolated child, rejoicing football fan, tired firefighter. The images are balanced by the corresponding poem on the opposite side of the spread reflected on an ivory background. Poems vary in style and size, but connect harmonious to the overall theme of the amazing beauty of faces.

Bookspeak! Poems about Books (School Poetry)

Book Cover compliments of Titlewave.com

Bibliography

Salas, Laura Purdie. (2011). Bookspeak! : poems about books. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-547-22300-1

Review 

In this whimsical collection of 21 original poems, books gain their own voice and “speak” to the reader. Josee Bisaillon’s fanciful collage illustrations utilizing a variety of art mediums and text styles colorfully and playfully incorporate Salas’ book-related poems producing a unified piece on each spread. Each poem delves into a book related theme ranging from book characters, plot, and conflict to beginnings, middles, and endings to book adventures at the bookstore after dark, books on vacations, and books living under beds. Some poems even wax “instructive” playfully focusing on book care  and the publishing process. Salas’ poems of various styles give books a tongue-in-cheek voice as seen in the poem “Cliffhanger” which asks “Is this the end?/This breath my last? Please, author, write a sequel fast!” just before the words like the waggish dog in the picture spill over the proverbial edge. Teachers, librarians, and book lovers of all ages will enjoy reading poems straight from the “mouth” of a book.