Embedded Files
Grades K-2 (24-25)
THE MIGHTY POLLINATORS
THE MIGHTY POLLINATORS
Helen Frost
Have you noticed, on a summer's day, the fine powder at the heart of a flower or floating on a breeze? What is pollen, and why does it matter? Playful poems encourage the reader to look closely, to marvel, and most of all, to care. (from the publisher)
Curricular use: Connections with science units: “Plants & Animals” (1st grade) and “Insects & Plants” (2nd grade)
WHEN I WRAP MY HAIR
WHEN I WRAP MY HAIR
Shauntay Grant
This book pays tribute to the art and tradition of hair wrapping practiced by women in Africa and its diaspora. The lyrical poem, narrated by the little girl, invites readers into this intimate and important tradition, with all the associated feelings and significance. (Booklist)
Curricular use: Mentor text for simile and metaphor; many art connections as well as possibilities for research on the symbolism of the designs and motifs
WIND IS A DANCE
WIND IS A DANCE
Debra Kempf Shumaker
You can feel wind ... but you can't see it. What is wind?' This exploration of different types of wind pairs lyrical descriptions of wind types with accessible, informational sidebars about each. (from the publisher)
Curricular use: Mentor text for poetry or science; connects especially well with science units: “Trees and Weather” (Kindergarten) and “Air and Weather” (2nd grade)
Grades 3-5 (24-25)
A PLANET IS A POEM
A PLANET IS A POEM
Amanda West Lewis
Each poem is written in a different poetic form that's been chosen to reflect the object's unique characteristics. Every spread features a stunning space scene, a poem and a fold-out flap that, when opened, reveals easy-to-understand science facts about the object as well as an explanation of the poetic form used and why it was matched with that object. (from the publisher)
Curricular use: Language arts and science, particularly the 5th grade “Earth and Sun” unit.
ONYX & BEYOND
ONYX & BEYOND
Amber McBride
Onyx lives with his mother, who is showing signs of early-onset dementia. He doesn't want to bring attention to his home -- if Child Protective Services finds out, they'll put him into foster care. As he's trying to keep his life together, the Civil Rights Movement is accelerating. Is there anywhere that's safe for a young Black boy? (from the publisher)
Curricular use: Read aloud or reading group selection; the Civil Rights Movement; language arts lessons on inference, imagery, characterization, and free verse poetry.
KAREEM BETWEEN
KAREEM BETWEEN
Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Seventh grade begins, and Kareem's already fumbled it. His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid-a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent-around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There's a catch- to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong. (from the publisher)
Curricular use: Would be an excellent read aloud or book group selection, individual poems could also be used in a stand alone setting for fluency practice or analysis of narrator perspective and inference. Woven throughout are definitions of literary devices (i.e. simile, metaphor, hyperbole, etc. - providing excellent opportunities for use as a mentor text for these concepts.
Grades K-2 & Grades 3-4 (23-24)
EATING MY WORDS AND 128 OTHER POEMS
Brian P. Cleary
Brian Cleary brings his trademark humor and wordplay to middle grade readers in this poetry collection. Featuring limericks, concrete poems, haiku, quatrains, acrostics, and much more, the book is in equal parts entertaining and educational. An exceedingly accessible resource for poetry month―and all year round! (from the publisher)
WHERE I LIVE: POEMS ABOUT MY HOUSE, MY STREET AND MY TOWN
Paul B. Janeczko
Whether we hang our hats in a walk-up apartment in the city, a farmhouse in the country, or any place in between, the poems in this collection celebrate the places where we live: our homes, our streets, our towns. Gathered by eminent poet and anthologist Paul B. Janeczko, these thirty-four inviting verses are paired with light-filled illustrations by Hyewon Yum evoking the warm details of daily life. (from the publisher)
MY HEAD HAS A BELLYACHE AND MORE NONSENSE
Chris Harris
There are mind-bending verbal and visual riddles, plus there's plenty of hilarious hijinks hiding around every corner, whether it's a buffalo that escapes one poem and roams through others or a meteor threatening to land on the book and obliterate everything. A great book that kids of all ages will enjoy! (from the publisher)
WHAT YOU NEED TO BE WARM
Neil Gaiman
In his powerful and moving poem, featuring illustrations from thirteen extraordinary artists, bestselling author and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Neil Gaiman draws together many different memories to answer the question, what do you need to be warm? (From the publisher)
Grades 5-6 (23-24)
EB & FLOW
EB & FLOW
Kelly J. Baptist
Ebony and De’Kari (aka Flow) do not get along. How could they when their cafeteria scuffle ended with De’Kari’s ruined shoes, Ebony on the ground, and both of them with ten days of at-home suspension? Now Eb and Flow have two weeks to think about and explain their behavior—to their families, to each other, and ultimately to themselves. (From the publisher)
A novel in verse that hits the heart and takes readers through the stories of Eb and Flow showing how no matter how different you might think you are, the similarities are always greater.
A BIT OF EARTH
A BIT OF EARTH
Karuna Riazi
Growing up in Pakistan, Maria Latif has been bounced between reluctant relatives for as long as she can remember—first because of her parents’ constant travel, and then because of their deaths. Maria has always been a difficult child, and it never takes long for her guardians to tire of her. So when old friends of her parents offer to “give her a better life” in the United States, Maria is shipped to a host family across the world. (from the publisher)
Grades K-2 & Grades 3-4 (22-23)
WATCH ME BLOOM: A BOUQUET OF HAIKU POEMS FOR BUDDING NATURALISTS
Krina Patel-Sage
Each page contains a haiku devoted to a different flower variety and an illustration that shows people interacting with one another in natural settings that depict the flower from the poem. (From SLJ)
Poetry in 1-3 grade, learning syllabication
HOW TO WRITE A POEM
Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido
Written as a step-by-step guide, and using language including "first," "next," and "then," the authors teach the art of poetry. (From SLJ)
Introduction to writing a poem, celebrating Poetry Month in April, companion book to How to Write a Story
THE DIRT BOOK: POEMS ABOUT ANIMALS THAT LIVE BENEATH OUR FEET
David L. Harrison and Kate Cosgrove
The main focus is the animals that live in dirt, from earthworms and spiders to toads and moles, and descriptions of their connection to dirt. The poems vary in length and format, from concrete to humorous. (From SLJ)
These poems would be a great companion to 3rd graders as they learn about bean sprouts and seeds.
OUT OF THIS WORLD: STAR-STUDDED HAIKU
Sally M. Walkerand Matthew Trueman
The text blends scientific theory with a sense of awe. . . Walker’s spare and eloquent phrases are paired with spectacular mixed-media illustrations, completely filling each page with swirls, dots, colors, and darkness. (From Horn Book)
This will be a great companion for our visiting author, Stacy McAnulty
Grades 5-6 (22-23)
SERENGETI: PLAINS OF GRASS
Leslie Bulion
SERENGETI: PLAINS OF GRASS
Leslie Bulion
The Serengeti comes to life in all its color and glory through illuminating verse, matter-of-fact narrative, and captivating illustration. (From SLJ)
6th graders study ancient civilizations, and this book features many animals, biomes, and details of contemporary and ancient Egypt.
BOOK OF QUESTIONS
Pablo Neruda
BOOK OF QUESTIONS
Pablo Neruda
Selections from Neruda’s final work come magically to life with inventive illustrations in this bilingual volume. (From Kirkus)
STEAM, collaboration with an art teacher, use as a good example of journaling.
Additional Poetry titles (22-23)
A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU
Katey Howes
HARD BOILED EGGS FOR BREAKFAST AND OTHER TASTY POEMS
Jack Prelutsky
MAYA'S SONG
Renee Watson
FREE AT LAST: A JUNETEENTH POEM
Sojourner Kincaid Rolle and Alex Bostic
LOVE YOUR AMAZING SELF: JOYFUL VERSES FOR YOUNG VOICES
Ofosu Jones-Quartey
Grades K-2 (21-22)
DEAR TREEFROG
Joyce Sidman
DEAR TREEFROG
Joyce Sidman
When an inquisitive, shy girl finds a treefrog in front of her new house, the quiet creature becomes an emblem for the girl’s feelings over the course of the seasons as she faces a new school and misses an old friend.This artful picture book seamlessly blends science, poetry, and mindfulness, encouraging little ones to get outside, slow down, and look closely at what’s around them. (From Booklist)
This is a great resource for discussions around mindfulness, change, observations in nature, and would be a wonderful addition to any study around frogs or the environment.
CHANGE SINGS
CHANGE SINGS
Amanda Gorman
The positive messaging in Change Sings speaks to building bridges rather than walls and embracing differences. With each new child encountered, a girl hands them an instrument, inviting them to take up the song. A lovely and loving call to action and kindness. (From Booklist)
This lyrical book could be used to talk about how individuals can impact change in themselves, in the world, and in the community around them.
Grades 3-4 (21-22)
HARD-BOILED BUGS FOR BREAKFAST
HARD-BOILED BUGS FOR BREAKFAST
Jack Prelutsky
While most of these poems follow Prelusky’s traditional rhythmic rhymes, he also makes his mark with a few haiku and concrete poems. Topping off the playfulness is delightful black-and-white spot art. A read-aloud-ready anthology. (From Booklist)
Fans of humorous poetry will enjoy this selection of poems.
SPI-KU
SPI-KU
Leslie Bulion
A celebration of spiders in poetry and prose. The impressive backmatter also includes identification, with scientific names, for every spider shown; instructions for spider hunting; and relative sizes gauged against a familiar No. 2 pencil. Engaging and information rich, this is wonderfully well woven. (From Kirkus Reviews)
An excellent book for anyone interested in spiders. It includes the poetry forms of haidu, limericks, concrete poetry, and free verse and could be used in a poetry study.
Grades 4-6 (21-22)
THE ONE THING YOU'D SAVE
THE ONE THING YOU'D SAVE
Linda Sue Park
Park’s subjects’ mementos offer middle-grade readers much food for thought regarding what one values and how others can touch one’s life. Names and other details indicate a diverse class. (From Kirkus Reviews)
This book could be used for poetry units as well as discussions about community, relationship building, and exploring values.
LEGACY
LEGACY
Nikki Grimes
This collection of golden shovel poems, a form that takes a striking line from one poem and uses it to create a new poem, builds on the work of women poets during the Harlem Renaissance. (From Booklist)
A beautiful collection of feminist inspired poetry written by women poets during the Harlem Renaissance that are paired with beautiful artwork created by African-American illustrators. Grimes then uses the golden shovel technique to create a new poem.
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