Saturday, April 1, 2017

Here We Go! National Poetry Month and A GIVEAWAY


Raise your hand if you are as excited about National Poetry Month as I am.

Great! Glad to see so many of you! I've planned some fun here throughout the month, with several guest poets, so I hope you'll stick with me here.

I'm pleased to kick off National Poetry Month 2017 by telling you a bit about Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell's Poetry Friday Power Books for middle school students and teachers, You Just Wait and Here We Go



Why a Power Book? Great question. The intro to You Just Wait says, "Because we believe in the power of poetry to express our deepest feelings and most powerful experiences. Plus we want you to discover the power of poetry in your own thinking and writing...."

Both of these books (and I hope there are more to come) have
*a story line told in different styles of poetry.
*anchor poems for each chapter written by well-known poets for young people
*response poems by Wong
*a pre-writing "Powerplay" in each chapter to get readers and writers ready
*a "Power 2 You" in each chapter that gives writing prompts and space to write.

The concept is beautiful in its simplicity and unique in its approach. Wong has chosen topics and poems that middle school students will relate to. You Just Wait focuses on a student's identity, trying to find one's place in the world within the larger, diverse community. Here We Go shows how students can band together to make their communities a better place. The illustrations by Franzi Paetzold add to the middle school vibe and enhance the text.

I highly recommend these books for middle school teachers to use with their students and for upper elementary-high school to use in or out of class.

GIVEAWAY! One lucky winner will receive a copy of You Just Wait and another lucky winner will receive a copy of Here We Go! What do you need to do? Comment on this blog post, including contact info (email, FB, or twitter), before noon CT on Sunday, 4/9. I will randomly select winners, contact and announce them. Good luck, best wishes, and happy National Poetry Month! Here we go!

More info about these and other Wong/Vardell books at Pomelo Books.
Video interviews with Wong 
Vardell's blog, Poetry for Children

13 comments:

  1. Happy Poetry Month!!Thanks for sharing info about these books.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Fabric and Books. Enjoy the poetry celebration!

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  2. I need to check these out! Thanks for the share!

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    1. Yes, you do, Mr. Nickerson. If you're a teacher, these books are for you!

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  3. Both are terrific, makes me want to be back in the classroom! I'm glad you're spreading the word, Jane. Don't put me in the drawing; I have both.

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    1. Hi, Linda B. I agree. If I were still teaching, I would want these books in my kids' hands--as consumables so they could write in them. Thanks for stopping.

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  4. Hi Jane,
    I am excited about poetry month as well. Thanks for posting this info. It will be helpful as I teach poetry this month.
    Miss you, Carol Serrano- Treider

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    1. Hi, Carol, Good to hear from you! These are awesome books. Enjoy Poetry Month with your students!

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  5. These look amazing!
    Rachelle Ashour

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    1. Indeed, they are, Rachelle! Thanks for the comment.

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  6. Can't wait to get my hands on these books. They sound perfect for my 7th graders. I'm also curious to discover the unique format of the books. Thank you Janet and Sylvia!

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  7. Chel and Mr. Nickerson, please email me your addresses (jheitman22 (at) hotmail (dot) com) so I can send you the book you have won. Congratulations! Thanks, everyone for stopping by and commenting!

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