The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices by Joyce Sidman

I dream of deep-sea fishing: awake to find dog breathing in my face.

A collection of poetry by Joyce Sidman along with dog essays written by teens. Photos accompany the poems and essays and the author includes a page of dog terms.

I am a dog person so this was a hit with me! The poems and essays captured the dog's spirit. I burst out laughing numerous times. Poems were haiku and free verse. I didn't remember how to write a haiku until I saw the three lines on a page and fifth grade poetry came flooding back. Definitely a great gift for dog lovers. It would be a good book to introduce poetry to reluctant poetry readers, like myself.

Sidman, J. (2003). The world according to dog: Poems and teen voices. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
ISBN: 0618174974
80 pages
Photographs by Doug Mindell

Nineteen Varieties of Gazelle by Naomi Shibab Nye

Three hours after the buildings feel, he took a seat beside me.

A collection of poems about being an Arab American, the Middle East and family. The collection was inspired by the events of September 11, 2001.

I am the least qualified person to talk about poetry. I have spent very little time reading any poetry except Robert Frost. And I only read his works because he was assigned as "my poet" in fifth grade to report on. I admire poets because they are deliberate in choosing words and evoke visions and emotions with these few words. I have been inspired while working on this contract to read more poetry. I

I enjoyed these poems and will purchase the book to read them over again. I believe this book would be appropriate for all ages.

Nye, N. S. (2002). Nineteen varieties of gazelle. New York, NY: Green Willow Books.
ISBN: 0060097655
160 pages

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

A collection of Kipling's first Jungle Book which features Mowgli, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and Toomai stories with Kipling's poetry mixed throughout the book. Color illustrations accompany this edition. Some content might be questionable for young children.

I hadn't heard the Rikki-Tikki-Tavi story in a long time and really loved it again. I also enjoyed revisiting Mowgli, Baloo and Baghera. This would be a good option to read aloud to children especially boys. I remember loving this book and the idea of the jungle and wild animals.

Kipling, R. (1977). The jungle book. New York, NY: Grosset & Dunlap.
ISBN: 0448060140
Illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

A collection of silly poems guaranteed at least one will make a child/adult smile.

I loved these when I was a child and I loved it again now. I can think of nothing better for a teacher, child librarian or parent to have on hand. This book reminds me of the best parts of childhood - laughter, what ifs? silliness.

Silverstein, S. (2000). Where the sidewalk ends. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
ISBN: 0060291699
Illustrated by the author

The Way A Door Closes by Hope Anita Smith

A book of poems told from the perspective of C.J describing his family and the emotional upheaval caused when his father leaves temporarily. The poems are accompanied by lovely illustrations that depict the content perfectly.

The author captures the emotions felt by C.J. and his family so clearly, especially the words of hope. I am continually amazed when reading poetry. How do they get those words to come together so right?

Smith, H.A. (2003). The way a door closes. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
ISBN: 080506477X
Illustrated by Shane W Evans