Poetry Friday - A review of Lunch Box Mail and other Poems

Happy Friday everyone. I have an uplifting collection of poems for you today for Poetry Friday. Hope you enjoy it!

Lunch Box Mail and other poems

Jenny Whitehead

Poetry

For ages 4 to 8

Henry Holt, 2001, 0-8050-6259-9

   A child’s year is full of high moments and low ones. There are happy days full of grand adventures, and there are dark days when nothing seems to go right. This collection of poems explores all kinds of days in the lives of children of all ages.

Our poetical journey begins with that first day of school when there are “brand-new rules,” and “nervous knees,” and “shiny shoes.” Then there is that dreaded visit to the doctor when the child is coughing and sneezing. He does not want that dreaded “icy stethoscope” which “hops up my front and down my back.” And don’t forget those bad hair days. What is a kid supposed to do when she plays “hairdresser” “on a whim” and ends up with a lot less hair than is desirable?

Thankfully, these more stressful moments are balanced by moments that are full of discoveries and laughs. There is that wonderful moment when a child learns to read. All of a sudden, stop signs, labels on shipping crates, license plates, books, and other things are full of words that make sense. Who knew that reading could be so incredible? There are all those wonderful little notes that appear in lunch boxes from Mom and Dad. There are notes of love, good luck wishes, and even an April Fool.

In this collection of poems, Jenny Whitehead gives her readers glimpses into the lives of children. We share their likes – ice cream – and dislikes – “waiting for birthdays.” Best of all we can  enjoy all the ways that Jenny plays with words to make her poems interesting, funny, calming, and silly. 

The Dear America Books - The series is re-launched by Scholastic

When I first started reviewing books I discovered a series of books that really interested me. They were the Dear America historical fiction books. In this series authors use a diary style format to tell the story of a young person who lived in the past. There is a book about a girl who was on the Titanic, a dust bowl diary, a suffragette diary, a WWII diary, a California gold rush diary, an many more. Now the publishers of this series, Scholastic, are re-launching the series. Here is the information Scholastic sent me about this re-launch.

SCHOLASTIC RE-LAUNCHES ACCLAIMED

DEAR AMERICA® HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK SERIES THIS FALL

WITH NEW PUBLISHING AND ADDITIONAL ONLINE CONTENT PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

NEW YORK — September 8, 2010 — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that it will re-launch the acclaimed and bestselling Dear America® historical fiction series this fall with a combination of all-new publishing and re-issues of classic Dear America titles—plus an exciting new interactive website with historical content provided by the Library of Congress.

Originally launched in 1996, the original Dear America series for readers ages 8 – 14 has more than 14 million copies in print. Written by an array of award-winning and bestselling writers, the Dear America books are presented in diary format from the perspective of girls living at different times in American history. Publication of the series ended in 2004, and fans, booksellers, educators, and parents have requested that the series be brought back into print. The series will re-launch in September 2010 with The Fences Between Us, an all-new story set in the Pacific Northwest during WWII by Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson. Also to be reissued this fall are two classic Dear America titles: A Journey to the New World by bestselling author Kathryn Lasky and The Winter of Red Snow by bestselling author Kristiana Gregory. Both new and re-issued favorites will be published seasonally.

In cooperation with the Library of Congress, Scholastic will further expand the series with two new dedicated Dear America websites; one for fans, one for educators, both launching in September 2010. The Dear America website (www.scholastic.com/dearamerica) for fans will be a fully interactive online community. The site will feature interactive scrapbooks for each Dear America character with online fashion galleries, crafts, recipes, as well as fun downloads. In addition to other games, quizzes, book excerpts, and author interviews, there will also be a moderated “living diary” blog and message board for fans.

      Simultaneously, Scholastic and the Library of Congress will offer teachers and librarians a wealth of lesson plans, historical documents and archival photos, and other teaching resources at the educator site (www.scholastic.com/teachdearamerica). The site also features timelines, author videos, discussion guides, and more, bringing the history in each book to life.  

      “Since its launch in 1996, the Dear America series has been embraced by readers and educators for its combination of rich storytelling and historical accuracy,” said Ellie Berger, President of the Trade Publishing division of Scholastic. “We are pleased to reintroduce this beloved book series by award-winning authors with the added dimension of a rich online experience through our relationship with the Library of Congress.”

“The Library of Congress is excited about this opportunity to collaborate with Scholastic on the re-release of the classic Dear America series,” said Laura Campbell, Associate Librarian for Strategic Initiatives.  “Combining these compelling stories with the Library’s unparalleled primary source collections will help make history more accessible and engaging for teachers and students alike.”

About The Library of Congress

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

September 2010

DEAR AMERICA: The Fences Between Us (NEW)

By Kirby Larson

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-22418-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-24954-6 (Audio)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26232-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Journey to the New World

By Kathryn Lasky

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23801-4 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26233-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: The Winter of Red Snow

By Kristiana Gregory

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23802-1 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26234-7 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

November 2010

DEAR AMERICA: Voyage on the Great Titanic

By Ellen Emerson White

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-23834-2 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26235-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

January 2011

DEAR AMERICA: Like the Willow Tree (NEW)

By Lois Lowry

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-14469-8 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-27371-8 (Audio)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26556-0 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

DEAR AMERICA: A Picture of Freedom

By Patricia C. McKissack

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-24253-0 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26555-3 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

March 2011

DEAR AMERICA: A Light in the Storm

By Karen Hesse

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-24245-5 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-26554-6 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

April 2011

DEAR AMERICA: When Will This Cruel War Be Over?

By Barry Denenberg

Scholastic Inc. • Ages 8-14

ISBN: 978-0-545-27598-9 • $12.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-545-27944-4 • $15.99 (Library Edition)

Busing Brewster - A review

This morning my daughter had her first day of school. I tied her hair ribbons and admired her outfit, took her photograph by the front door, and watched her bounce around with her friends in her new classroom. I was reminded that we are so lucky to live in a place where going to school is easy. My daughter does not have to go to school secretly the way girls in some counties have to do. Her African American classmates can come to school knowing that they will be welcomed and appreciated. As I looked at my daughter's happy and excited face I was reminded of a book that I read just a short time ago about a little boy who had a very different first day of school. 

Busing Brewster

Richard Michelson

Illustrated by R. G. Roth

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 8

Random House, 2010, 978-0-375-83334-2

   This fall Brewster is going into first grade at Franklin elementary, and Miss Evelyn is going to be his teacher. Brewster’s brother Bryan teases him, telling him that Miss Evelyn is mean, but Brewster knows that in real life Miss Evelyn is a very nice teacher.

   Then one day Brewster’s mother tells her sons that they will be going to Central instead of Franklin. Central is a white school where there are “rooms for art and music and a roof that doesn’t leak.” Bryan is very upset about this change in his life. He does not want to have to ride on a bus for an hour to get to the new school. He doesn’t want to go to a school where there “Ain’t no Negroes.”

   When Bryan, Brewster and the other African American students arrive at Central, they are given a very rude welcome. Rocks are thrown through the bus windows, white people are demonstrating outside the school, and two policeman are standing on guard at the door. The school day hasn’t even started before Bryan gets into trouble with a white boy called Freckle-face. One of the policemen escorts Bryan, Freckle-face, and Brewster to the library, and Brewster discovers a whole new world that inspires him to dream of new possibilities.

   This memorable book looks at what it was like to be a part of the desegregation of schools in America. In addition, it shows readers how books can open up doors in the minds of children; books can help children to see that they do have the power to change their world if they want to.

You can visit the author on his website and on his Facebook page. 

   

Poetry Friday - A review of Today at the Blue-bird Cafe

For this Poetry Friday I have a review of a book that lifts the spirits, tickles the funny bone, and that charms the eye.

Today at the Blue-Bird Café: A branchful of birds

Deborah Ruddell 

Illustrated by Joan Rankin

Poetry

For ages 5 to 8

Simon and Schuster, 2007, 0-689-87153-8

   Today the Bluebird Café is open for all-you-can-eat business. If you are a feathery person, prepare yourself for delicious treats such as “berries and snails and a bluebottle fly.” What a delightful window into the world of birds we see here. What else can we see as we look up into the sky, among the flowers, on the pond, and in the trees?

   There is the cardinal sitting on a wooden post with his brilliant red feathers that are “valentineSantaClaustotallyred.” How brilliant he looks so bright and bold.

   Then there is the hummingbird who “flaps his teeny wings / like a maniac.” How much the child wishes that this busy little creature would come back to the garden.

   Another child feels that the cockatoo is like a wedding cake, “with frosting swoops and coconut flakes.” How grand it looks with its soft feathers, its black beak, and its crest, that “sugar-coated curlicue.”

   This delightful collection of poems about birds will charm, amuse, and delight bird lovers of all ages. Deborah’s unique word pictures are perfectly complimented by Joan Rankin’s luminous and wonderfully evocative watercolor illustrations.

Join the Reading Dahlathon!

In honor of Roald Dahl's birthday, which is on September 13th, and to celebrate the release of a new book by Dahl, Penguin Books is launching the Roald Dahl Reading Dahlathon. This is a reading challenge for kids ages seven to thirteen. Kicking off in September and running through December, the program encourages kids to read three of the author’s books during this time frame. Participants can track their reading progress in the Dahlathon Official Reading Journal, available at bookstores and libraries or online.