Sidman, Joyce. 2007. THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-618-61680-2.
PLOT SUMMARY
THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS is a compilation of fictional poems adressing the tough subject of apology and forgiveness and the poetic responses to the apologies.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The context and content of these poems clearly reflects the thoughts of an adolescent. Many of the poems reflect a true representation of a young writer. The sometimes humorous subjects, creative illustrations, and easy to relate imagery creates a definite appeal amongst young readers. The language is indicative of young authors that seek to right a wrong. The reactions, also written from a youth perspective, clearly carry the youthful banter. The sincere emotion and details to real life emotions make this picture collection of poems a humorous approach to a very mature emotional theme. The rhythm of the poems vary from poem to poem. Some are written in haiku form, while others are in rhyme. While some humor is weaved into the poems, some of the poems are much deeper and reveal the underlying emotions that inevitably come from any relationship between people.
REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS
School Library Journal Starred Review: "Grade 4-7-Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's This Is Just to Say, apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy... Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds–notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom."–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School , Pulaski , WI
Kirkus Review-"The poems successfully navigate the complicated terrain for those who seek forgiveness."
CONNECTIONS
The http://www.joycesidman.com/ website is a rich resource of helpful information including readers’ guides for all of her books, audio clips of her readings, and digital trailers. Readers are also able to download a bookmark. This website provides many excellent links (including wonderful interviews on several other blogs) and much more. School Library Journal Starred Review: "Grade 4-7-Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's This Is Just to Say, apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy... Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds–notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom."–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School , Pulaski , WI
Kirkus Review-"The poems successfully navigate the complicated terrain for those who seek forgiveness."
CONNECTIONSKirkus Review-"The poems successfully navigate the complicated terrain for those who seek forgiveness."
http://www.joycesidman.com/thisisjusttosay.html
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