blackbeard the pirate king written by j. patrick lewis

Lewis, J. Patrick. Blackbeard the Pirate King. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2006. ISBN: 9780792255857.

Critical Analysis:
     Blackbeard: The Pirate King, is a biographical compilation of poetry that depicts the life and death of the notorious pirate, Blackbeard. The author J. Patrick Lewis, describes the life and death of this pirate in a manner that collaborates poetry with a biography. Each encompasses details of Blackbeard's life while incorporating language, layout, and appeal through utilizing poetry. The layout of this compilation corresponds to one theme -- Blackbeard's life. From the beginning of this compilation to the conclusion, the author utilizes poetry to detail the life of Blackbeard. In the first poem, the author introduces Blackbeard by his real name, Edward Teach, and describes how the legacy of Blackbeard would never be achieved by any other pirate. The author also incorporates various illustrations that were created during the period of time when Blackbeard roamed the seas. Through this incorporation, the author has provided his audience with additions that enhance the essence of this particular biographical theme. Not only does the author utilize a layout that enhances the story of Blackbeard, but he also incorporates the pirate language within his poems. Within the Spotlight Poem below, "At Teach's Hole," the author includes the phrases 'derring-do' and 'twice told and true.' These phrases are just two out of many phrases used by pirates. Lewis' inclusion of these phrases add to the enhancement of this theme by allowing his audience to become divulged among the language used by whom he describes. By reading through this whole compilation, the audience is subjected to the life of Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach in a manner that appeals to their interests.  

Spotlight Poem:

"At Teach's Hole"

The ghostly headless figure
Of Blackbeard, it is said,
Still swims under the moonlight
Looking for its severed head.

But who knows where the truth lies
In tales of derring-do.
The tales that most excite you
And the tales twice told and true.

                          -J. Patrick Lewis

Connections:

• Ask children if they've ever heard of Blackbeard and who he was.
• Read the compilation to children and then have the children describe who he was based off of what they were just read. 
• Have children create their own poems about a particular person; it could be an autobiographic poem or a biographic poem. 

science verse written by jon scieszka and illustrated by lane smith

Scieszka, Jon. Science Verse, Illustrated by Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 2004. ISBN: 9780670910571

Critical Analysis:
     Science Verse is a collection of thematic poetry based around science. Each poem incorporated within this compilation directly relates to science’s subject content while including poetic elements such as: stanzas, rhyme scheme, and puns. Throughout a majority of the poetry compilation, Jon Scieszka utilizes puns in order to correlate the content with the selected science theme. In the Spotlight Poem below, “What’s the Matter,” the author uses puns such as ‘what’s the matter’ and ‘she didn’t know the state’ to demonstrate a specific play on words as it relates to science’s three states of matter.  Among the word play utilized, the author structures his poetry within stanzas that incorporate end rhyme schemes. As seen within the poem, “Scientific Method at the Bat,” there is an obvious utilization of an AABBCCDDEEFFGGHH rhyme scheme that is separated by four stanzas while incorporating a quatrain within each. By utilizing this separation the author is able to provide readers with anticipation and a structure that allows the content to transition to the next idea. More elements the author uses are allusions and references to popular nursery rhymes. By including these references the author is able to coincide science with a format and storyline that are already familiar to children. In the poem, “Jack Be Nimble,” the author states that ‘Jack jump over the combustion reaction of O2 + heat + fuel to form CO2 + light + heat + exhaust;’ this line uniquely teaches children the scientific elements and properties of a candle stick because they’re able to reference the well known nursery rhyme “Jack Be Nimble.”
     Not only does the author utilize poetic elements within this compilation, but he also collaborates with Lane Smith who successfully pairs each poem with vibrant illustrations. Despite the author’s intentional play on words, the illustrator depicts each line in a literal manner. By illustrating the author’s play on words, Smith is able to provide his audience with humor while incorporating the described elements of science. The author and illustrator do a fabulous job of pairing their talents in order to connect poetry with science within a picture book.

Spotlight Poem:

"What's the Matter?"

Miss Lucy had some matter.
She didn't know its state.
She only had three choices,
So tried to get it straight.

She thought it could be liquid,
Quite possibly a gas.
And if it wasn't solid,
Well call me sassafras.

Miss Lucy called the plumber.
Miss Lucy called the cop.
Miss Lucy called the egghead
With the perfectly bald top.

"Liquid," said the plumber.
"Solid," said the cop.
"Gas," said the egghead
With the perfectly bald, perfectly bald, perfectly bald
Top top top.

                                       - Jon Scieszka

Connections:

• Within each poem there is an allusion to science. Have the children identify each reference to science.
• Puns are a poetic element that are seen throughout this compilation; teach a small lesson on puns and have children identify the puns used in various poems.
• Each poem entails the theme of science. Proceeding each poem, further explain that specific theme that has been introduced. For example, in the Spotlight Poem "What's the Matter," further explain the three states of matter.

the other side: shorter poems written by angela johnson

Johnson, Angela. The Other Side: Shorter Poems. New York: Orchard Books, 1998. ISBN: 0531301141.

Critical Analysis:
     The Other Side is compiled of forty-two short poems that detail the memories recounted by a young girl growing up in the late 1970’s. This title is an example of social studies poetry, which provides readers with insight on the happenings during this certain period of time. Throughout this compilation the author includes certain descriptions that detail the times and circumstances during and directly proceeding the Civil Rights Movement. In the Spotlight Poem below, “Counters,” the author states ‘My Uncle Fred has a slash across his face from some redneck trying to stop him from ordering a lemonade from a lunch counter in Montgomery;’ this depicts the social injustices faced by African-Americans during a certain period of time when whites felt as if their race were superior to non whites and when they would proceed in violent acts in order to deter the fight against equality among races -- especially in the South.  Due to the basis of this compilation being a recount of is memories, the author uses a great deal of descriptive language so that her audience is able to visualize the extent of her content. Words such as, ‘red lights in the cold night’ and ‘crack the ice in the puddle,’ are lines that provide readers with descriptions that coincide with more than one of the five senses. The author, Angela Johnson, touches her audience by providing them with a portrayal of what it was like during a dire period of time in history in a subtle manner than does not divert readers who may not be fond of history and social aspects of the past.
 
Spotlight Poem:

"Counters"

My Uncle Fred has a slash
across his face from
some redneck
trying to
stop him from ordering
a lemonade from a lunch counter
in Montgomery.
When the weather changes, it
aches him, he says,
but smiles when
he says it, whenever he says it.
All m mama could remember
was how Grandmama had
screamed and
talked about
leaving the South.
All I can think is
how terrible it was
and how beautiful
it made him.

                      - Angela Johnson

Connections:

• The purpose of this form of poetry is to introduce this social topic. Read this short compilation to children and ask them what aspects they heard that collaborate with history, such as blacks sitting at diner counters to only be denied service.
• Follow up with the movie Selma and The Butler which depict social injustices during the Civil Rights Movement that include depictions of counter sit ins.
• Dissect each poem and provide students with the historical content as it relates to the content of each line and poem. 
• Bring to the attention of children of the imagery and the dialogue used to describe the circumstances that are being recounted.