blue lipstick: concrete poems written by john grandits

Grandits, John. Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007. ISBN: 9780618851324.

Critical Analysis:

     Blue Lipstick is a compilation of concrete poetry that describes the life of a teenage girl. The author utilizes concrete poetry, which is a style of poetry that visually illustrates the content of the poem. In the poem, "All My Important Thinking Gets Done in the Shower," there is an illustration of a shower head with words that seemingly flow out of it. Not only do these words flow out of the shower head, but they are also blue. The author, John Grandits, utilizes symbolism by depicting the words as the color of water, as well as the illusion of the words flowing. 

     Not only does the author provide visual appeal to this compilation, but he also uses language in a manner that is naturally appealing to children. In the poem, "Zombie Jocks," the author utilizes a technique where he seemingly makes up words to create an end rhyme. Despite the author making these words up, they're exactly how children talk. For instance, the words win-em, pin-em, skin-em, evoke a familiarity in how children run their words together. Instead of separating the words win them, children combine them together and pronounce it as one word -- win-em. The inclusion of such words, end rhymes, and visual components all combine in naturally appealing to children.

Spotlight Poem:

"All My Important Thinking Gets Done in the Shower"

                                      - John Grandits

Connections:

• Have children create their own concrete poetry. Begin with something simple as drawing a car and having them write on the outline of the car about ideas that come to them relating to a car.
• Choose a particular poem and prior to reading it, ask children what the image conveys to them and compare if they were close what the content of the poem included. 

words with wings written by nikki grimes

Grimes, Nikki. Words with Wings. Pennsylvania: WordSong, 2013. ISBN: 9781590789858

Critical Analysis:

     Words with Wings is a verse novel based around an archetype -- divorce. The author, Nikki Grimes, structures her verse novel in a manner where each poem builds on the story of the protagonist, Gaby. Gaby's parents are going through a divorce and the author describes how Gaby deals with her parents' divorce through the usage of vivid imagery. Because Nikki Grimes has based this verse novel around an archetype, it speaks directly to those who have gone through the same situations, which allows them to profoundly relate to this verse novel. What makes this verse novel so special are the emotions that are evoked through the descriptions of how Gaby copes with her parents' divorce. In the poem, "Wishful Thinking," Gaby comes to the realization that her mother sees her father in her to the point where she begins to resent Gaby and wishes that she would become more like her mother. This poem is four lines long; however, within this poem, the author is able to provide her audience with a depth that describes exactly what Gaby is going through. Not only does the author provide her audience with a relatable concept and theme, but the language used throughout her verses appeals to juveniles. She uses words and circumstances that directly relate to juveniles as they go through their school days and their typical routines at home, such as not wanting to do the dishes or having to set the table for dinner. These simple elements that Nikki Grimes incorporate within Words with Wings aid her in obtaining copious amounts of awards including the Coretta Scott King Award and the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children.

Spotlight Poem:

"Wishful Thinking"

I've figured it out:

Mom wants me to be

less like Dad,

more like she.

                 - Nikki Grimes

Connections:

• Build a discussion around archetypes and what exactly they are. Ask children if they can relate to typical issues that most families go through, such as divorce, and how they cope with it.
• Ask children what outlet they may use to cope with certain situations. Perhaps they are daydreams like Gaby; perhaps they write poetry or in a journal; perhaps they are in sports.

poisoned apples: poems for you, my pretty written by christine heppermann

Heppermann, Christine. Poisoned Apples: Poems for you, my Pretty. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2014. ISBN: 9780062289575

Critical Analysis:

     Poisoned Apples is a collection of fifty poems written in verse form. The author, Christine Heppermann, uses distinct language, organization, and layout that specifically appeal to the teenage girl audience. She incorporates a layout that includes black and grey pages that symbolize elegance, mystery, and fear. The usage of these particular colors correlate with the theme of life not being a fairy tale. Along with the usage of symbolic colors throughout this collection, the author also uses a distinct tone and unique style of correlating the ideals of fairy tales with everyday instances of teenage girls. The language used throughout the novel, directly appeals to the teenage girl. In the poem, "Prince Charming," the author includes stanzas within the layout, as well as a twist on the old meaning of Prince Charming. Christine describes all of the mannerisms that Prince Charming encompasses; however, at the conclusion of the poem when Prince Charming is alone with his girl, he encompasses the modern day teenage boy who is portrayed as someone who sexualizes females. The twists and irony used throughout this verse novel provide teenage girls with everyday occurrences that of which they relate.  

Spotlight Poem:

"Prince Charming"

First thing through the door, Jed compliments

Mom's new haircut.

He listens to Dad go off.

"Guess we'll have to wait for baseball, Jed,

to win back Husky pride."

He brings state quarters for my sister's 

lame collection. She shrieks like they are

diamonds.

Finally he guides me down

the slippery driveway to his car,

engine running, heat on high

so I won't be cold. He says, "Girl,

you look amazing. That sweater

makes your boobs look

way bigger."

                     - Christine Heppermann

Connections:

• Assign this verse novel to your teenage audience; however, before reading the novel, have each teen discuss what they think a fairy tale encompasses. 
• After the assignment of completely reading this verse novel, separate the females from the males and ask how they felt about this verse novel. "Do you agree with what was included?" "Was the author able to depict what really goes on?"
• Make sure the discussion forum is an honest one and see how the answers vary between teenage girls and teenage boys.