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Today I am joining the roundup of kidlit books at Teach Mentor Texts. Click on over for more reviews.
Use this button created by Leigh Anne Eck to post your Digital Poetry this month.
I am the guest writer on Laura Shovan’s blog today, Author Amok. I wrote about Ellen Bass’s poem The Orange-and-White High-Heeled Shoes.
When Cynthia Lord offered an ARC of her latest novel A Handful of Stars on Facebook, I commented and was added to the list. A copy came this week, just in time for Spring Break reading.
I was immediately drawn in to this story when Lily chases her blind dog into a blueberry field. Lucky is stopped by a migrant girl, Salma Santiago, who becomes a new friend to Lily. Salma is artistic and wants to help Lily raise money for an operation for Lucky. She joins Lily in painting mason bee boxes. The two become fast friends.
Lily is a complex character. She lives with her French Canadian grandparents who own a general store. You get the sense that the family is still grieving the death of Lily’s mom even though Lily does not remember her. The dog Lucky is her connection to her mother. Lily is also dealing with the change in a childhood friendship. Salma brings hope to Lily. Salma opens up Lily’s mind about art, migrant workers, and friendship.
Cynthia Lord creates a story that not only touches; it also teaches. I learned a lot about blueberry harvesting in Maine (which is different from blueberries in Louisiana.) Through Pépère, Lily learns life lessons. I’ve been wanting to experiment with black-out poetry and Zentangle. I made a copy of a page in which Pépère speaks to Lily about how Lucky (dogs) can teach us. I highlighted words to create a poem and drew Zentangle designs to black out the words. Zentangle can be meditative. Kind of like doodling.
Lucky
wants to see.
He seems happy to me.
We learn from dogs.
They don’t ask ‘why me?’
They find a new way to be happy.Setting something free
takes faith.
Reflections on the Teche 
Wonderful, Margaret. This black-out poem captures the essence of Lucky and Lily’s relationship.
I like how the poem and doodles work together to make a striking presentation. Good job, Margaret!
The found poetry is great and I look forward to reading this book. I put it on my wish list. thanks
Beautiful and so interesting. Dying to try something like this out. Thanks for sharing!
Margaret,
I learn something everytime I read your posts! Zentangle and Cynthia Lord the perfect combination for blackout poetry. I’m ever grateful for your work.
One of my students is going to teach the class how to zentangle. I’ll share this wonderful idea with her. It’s lovely, Margaret, & a lovely connection to what sounds like a lovely book/story. Thanks!
Love your found poem and the zentangle on it. If I didn’t have this book already on my to read list, your review would have got it there.
What an inspired idea – this really looks so cool. Will definitely share this strategy with my own teacher-students.