Poetry Friday is?here, and I’m starting off with a quick favor request (ack–that is probably not the proper hostess way to begin!). If you’ve read BookSpeak! Poems About Books, would you be willing to go to its Amazon page and either rate it via stars and/or?write a brief review (even just a sentence or two helps)? It’s only got 3 reviews, and more reviews/ratings/Likes help it show up higher in search results. Which means more people would at least see it as a reading possibility. Your honest opinion/feedback is really appreciated. I know life is incredibly busy!
Now, onto the party! I’m excited to share one of the best novels in verse I’ve read in ages: The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic?(Candlewick, 2011), by Allan Wolf.
Wow–this is a stunning novel in verse that traces the Titanic voyage through the eyes of 23 people, the ship rat, plus the iceberg that Titanic hit. There are the captain, shipping executives, millionaires, crew members, children, adults, teens, steerage passengers…Many of them have secrets, and we get to see right into their hearts. Some of them surprised me with their callousness, but most surprised me with their bravery and generosity. Even though you start this book knowing the Titanic sinks, you still are caught in its grip because you don’t already know what happens to most of the characters portrayed here. Most of the characters are real people or composites of real people. Excellent end matter lets you know exactly what is fact and what is fiction.
One of my favorite characters is the iceberg. It’s a cold-hearted villain (ha!) and adds so much menace. The first poem in the iceberg’s voice ends:
Since then I’ve traveled southward many weeks,
for now that my emergence is complete,
there is a certain ship I long to meet.
Chills.
Here’s another portion of an iceberg poem:
Could Fate provide a better place to hide?
(See now how Fate is on the Iceberg’s side?)
Titanic will be, too–if all goes well.
Hear how her engines hum across the swells.
See now her razor bow heave into view,
cleaving the sea’s smooth countenance in two.
I see her, too, but she does not see me.
The lookouts on her mast can’t make me out.
We’ve never been so close, my little fish.
Make haste, now. Hurry. Bring their hearts to me.
And do let’s get acquainted as you wish.
Shhh. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick…
There are so many stunning poems in here. Lots of powerful metaphors, great repetition, all while being very accessible and easy to read. My only very occasional gripe was when a rhyme scheme would suddenly seem to appear midway through a poem, or near the end. That would make me stop and go back to see if I missed earlier end rhymes. Usually the answer was no (these poems are free verse, by and large), and I didn’t care for the effect of mixing rhyming verse and free verse within the same poem. This happened in only a tiny portion of the poems, though. Highly recommended–I couldn’t put this book down!
(Review copy from the library)
Please click on Mr. Linky below to leave your links to your Poetry Friday posts and to see the links to visit all the Poetry Friday posts. And of course, please feel free to also leave a comment on the excerpts I’ve shared here from The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic.
Click on Mr. Linky above for the links, but I’ll also be rounding up/categorizing here as I read everyone’s posts throughout the day.
Original Poems (Yay!)
#1 – Vikram Madan is in with a wonderful “villain-elle,” a villanelle from the bad guy’s point of view. And check out his art, too!
#3 – Violet Nesdoly is in with the comforting “Broken Things,” though the art does creep me out a little! Also, Violet has a poem up today on YourDailyPoem.com. Congratulations, Violet!
#4 – Ed DeCaria (of the famous bracketed Poetry Madness event) has a funny shape poem up. C’mon, you KNOW you held your breath through tunnels while chewing gum and being tickled–right?
#8 – Oh, my! Wait until you hear what happens at the “Dragon’s Picnic,” by Renee LaTulippe! Very funny poem, and the cutest dragon art ever.
#9 – Charles Ghigna shares some autumn/Halloween books. Follow the Halloween Night link to see that book on Amazon. Click to look inside and check out “Secret List.” It’s the list every kid mentally makes before Halloween!
#11 – Tabatha is experimenting with Tolkien’s Black Speech, the language he created for Lord Sauron. The result is a really thoughtful poem!
#16 – Heidi shared so much of herself in “Tying the Knot.” I am not usually a fan of longer poems, but I am a fan of this one!
#18 – Betsy gives us part of a Roethke poem and her own related complete poem, full of pond, bird, and mystery.
#19 – Liz Steinglass shares a poem for grown-ups this week–one with the concrete and abstract woven together beautifully.
#21 – Iza Trapani offers up a shocking poem about her exhibitionist vegetables! /
#23 – Irene Latham’s haunting war nonet reminds me a little of the iceberg’s voice in the selections I shared–even though the imagery here is all dry and dusty and rough. Beauteous and scary.
#28 – Joyce Ray’s?Mr. Linky link isn’t working for me, so just in case that’s true for you, at Musings, Joyce is sharing a lovely poem honoring St. Hildegard. I love when history inspires poems, and when poetry helps me learn/feel something new.
#32 – Cathy shares a desert-y poem inspired by a very cool piece of sculpture.
#34 – Joanna shares the V, W, and X (yes, X) poems from her A-Z Endangered Species Haiku series. A very cool project!
#36 – Joy Acey is in with a fun clarinet poem, which she says she researched and then didn’t really need any of her research in the poem itself. I think that’s often the very best way to use research. Just background, mood-maker.
#37 – Matt Forrest Esenwine gives us an untitled sonnet about fall, with the beautiful line: Now sullen limbs hang low, with fingers crack’d. Ooh, how could you stop reading there?
#47 – Elaine Magliaro is back! She’s in with a mask poem about one of my favorite autumn things. Hint: Honk!
#41 – Beth answers the question, “Why write?” And this answer should be hung on every classroom wall.
#42 – Lorie Ann Grover is in with a slightly menacing haiku!
#49 – Jeanne Poland shares a fruit fly poem. Yes, fruit fly. I LOVE seeing the wide variety of poems we’re all sharing. That makes Poetry Friday so much fun!
Great Poems by Other Folks
#2 – Robyn Hood Black is in with a gorgeous excerpt from St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun.
#6 – Diane Mayr shares a Robert Penn Warren poem that combines geese and Story. What could be better? (Geese honking overhead is one of my favorite autumn noises.)
#25 – Fats Suela’shares an amazing Neil Gaiman poem that he wrote for someone who wanted a poem tattooed on his back! The tattoo? Eh. But the poem? Wow.
#10 – Diane Mayr, at yet another blog:>), shares Carl Sandburg’s “Fog,” plus a video.
#11 – Linda Baie introduces a new-to-me poet, Ben Mirov, and shares the non-traditional?”Black Glass Soliloquy.” It’s unusual, and I hope you’ll share your reaction to it. I’m curious:>)
#14 – Laura Shovan shares stuff I didn’t know about poet Tony Medina, plus a great poem about Harlem.
#15 – Carol plus Douglas Florian plus pirates–Ahoy, mateys–Get yer scurvy-ridden bones over there!
#24 – Jama is also sharing Douglas’ new book! The first two lines of the first poem she shared made me snort my Diet Coke!
#33 – And Douglas Florian himself has a poem up by Mary Mapes Dodge. I love a poet with a wry sense of humor–so Dodge and Floridan both have me won over!
#17 – Mary Lee shares a beautiful Wordsworth poem, but her post itself is even MORE beautiful than the poem.
#22 – Katya has a wonderful Eve Merrium poem up. I feel calmer just for having read this 15-second beauty.
#30 – Karen Edmisten shares a Carl Dennis poem about…well, about a daughter, but so much more. I rarely click through and read long poems, because I like short ones. But this one is worth every line. This ode to imagination and generosity of spirit just made my day!
#31 – Andromeda shares a new picture book collection that all the little builders in your life will love.
#38 – Tara has an Elizabeth Carlson poem that is funny and accepting and is just what I needed to read.
#40 – Julie Larios gives us a James Arthur poem about winter and night and a stranded moon…And Julie helps us read that poem a little more closely and learn from it.
#48 – Janet Squires has J. Patrick Lewis’ Please Bury Me in the Library for us today!
#46 – Catherine Johnson is in with a funny Thanksgiving poem, just in time for Canada’s Thanksgiving holiday. I can especially relate to the last two lines!
#43 – Readertotz shares a beautifully-sung rendition of Goodnight Moon.
How-To and Process Posts
#2 – Make sure to check out the link to Robyn Hood Black’s column on writing and submitting haiku for publication?(this link isn’t in Mr. Linky). You’ll find the link to that column at the end of her Poetry Friday post. I’ll be going back to read that one once I’m caught up here!
#5 – Wow. Check out Diane Mayr’s fascinating post about the Spark challenge and the very cool interaction between her and PF regular Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, leading to this lovely art/poetry piece that Diane shares.
#7 – And look at this William Faulkner quotation that Diane shares, which perfectly defines the job and special talent?of a poem:>)
#20 – Maria shares the most wonderful story about what happened when she had to skip Poetry Friday in her classroom. Don’t miss it!
#26 – Sylvia offers up a fabuloso list of autumn and Halloween poetry books. Educators, don’t miss this list!
#26 – Sylvia and Janet (that’s Vardell and Wong), the masterminds of the Poetry Friday Anthology, share the beginning of a terrific Michael Rosen poem, plus easy Common Core-related activities to go along with it. (This book is a treasure for teachers/librarians!)
#29 – Amy at the Poem Farm is sharing an original poem, and I love it! But I think the real treasure in her posts is always for teachers/students, as she shares basically a whole intimate poetry lesson with every poem. Amy-azing!
#39 – Go fill out Ed’s pop quiz–and don’t lie!
#45 – Jill Esbaum has a great post on using rhythm in rhyming picture books. Aspiring picture book writers, this one’s for you:>)
And don’t forget to rate BookSpeak, if you’re willing. Thank you, and Happy Poetry Friday!
Congrats & Thanks for hosting Poetry Friday. The titanic book sounds very interesting and I will be checking it out (though – just like you – I am personally a little sensitive to poems that break in and out of spontaneous rhyme – feels like they should just make up their mind 🙂 ).
BTW, Coincidental to the iceberg-villain featured in your post, my poetry-friday contribution this week happens to be a ‘Villain-elle’ – http://www.1000poems.com/2012/10/985-curses-villain-elle.html
Happy Poetry Friday! 🙂
Exactly (on the making up your mind thing). But–a fabulous book overall. I’m off to read your offering. Thanks for coming by!
Congrats & Thanks for hosting Poetry Friday. The titanic book sounds very interesting and I will be checking it out (though – just like you – I am personally a little sensitive to poems that break in and out of spontaneous rhyme – feels like they should just make up their mind 🙂 ).
BTW, Coincidental to the iceberg-villain featured in your post, my poetry-friday contribution this week happens to be a ‘Villain-elle’ – http://www.1000poems.com/2012/10/985-curses-villain-elle.html
Happy Poetry Friday! 🙂
Exactly (on the making up your mind thing). But–a fabulous book overall. I’m off to read your offering. Thanks for coming by!
Thank you for hosting, Laura! And thanks for the peek inside this intriguing book… I’ve been curious, and now it’s really on my list. :0) I linked up, but I’m all about ecumenical ponderings and St. Francis and a link to a new poetry column I’m doing on Janice Hardy’s blog.
http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm?post=878314
Yeah, I kept hearing about it, but you know the towering TBR stack. Glad I finally got to it!
Thank you for hosting, Laura! And thanks for the peek inside this intriguing book… I’ve been curious, and now it’s really on my list. :0) I linked up, but I’m all about ecumenical ponderings and St. Francis and a link to a new poetry column I’m doing on Janice Hardy’s blog.
http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm?post=878314
Yeah, I kept hearing about it, but you know the towering TBR stack. Glad I finally got to it!
Hi Laura! Thanks for hosting. I have been sitting on TWTETN for many months — haven’t been able to commit, so I didn’t want to start and then have to stop. Soon, hopefully. I was lucky enough to meet Allan in the spring when he visited Chicago as featured presenter at the International Reading Association (IRA)’s Poetry Olio event. Even got to co-perform a poem from the book! Tons of fun.
I don’t have BookSpeak! but I do own A Leaf Can Be, which I adore, and will pop over to leave a rating when I get a chance.
In case Mr. Linky doesn’t work, my link for the week is http://www.thinkkidthink.com/the-fort-pitt-tunnel/, in which I recreate my memory of traversing a long tunnel as a kid.
-Ed
Oh, cool! I would have loved to have seen that. I was in Chicago just before IRA, but it didn’t work out for me to attend:>( Are you going to NCTE?
Thanks for leaving a LEAF rating when you have a chance. I would really appreciate it:>)
Hi Laura! Thanks for hosting. I have been sitting on TWTETN for many months — haven’t been able to commit, so I didn’t want to start and then have to stop. Soon, hopefully. I was lucky enough to meet Allan in the spring when he visited Chicago as featured presenter at the International Reading Association (IRA)’s Poetry Olio event. Even got to co-perform a poem from the book! Tons of fun.
I don’t have BookSpeak! but I do own A Leaf Can Be, which I adore, and will pop over to leave a rating when I get a chance.
In case Mr. Linky doesn’t work, my link for the week is http://www.thinkkidthink.com/the-fort-pitt-tunnel/, in which I recreate my memory of traversing a long tunnel as a kid.
-Ed
Oh, cool! I would have loved to have seen that. I was in Chicago just before IRA, but it didn’t work out for me to attend:>( Are you going to NCTE?
Thanks for leaving a LEAF rating when you have a chance. I would really appreciate it:>)
Hi Laura! Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday this week! When I saw the book in Myra’s book loot post, I thought it was a collection of short stories about the Titanic. (Myra must have mentioned it in her post and I just forgot. Silly me.) I like the excerpts that you shared, and I’m intrigued as to which the “voices” belonged in the poems. Powerful imagery, I must say. Thank again for sharing!
Interestingly, the image in my poetry post for today is the opposite of yours – fire. Words by Neil Gaiman, a Gathering Books favorite.
http://gatheringbooks.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/poetry-friday-poetry-sets-my-heart-on-fire/
– Fats
Love the poem you shared. Love. Love. Love.
Hi Laura! Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday this week! When I saw the book in Myra’s book loot post, I thought it was a collection of short stories about the Titanic. (Myra must have mentioned it in her post and I just forgot. Silly me.) I like the excerpts that you shared, and I’m intrigued as to which the “voices” belonged in the poems. Powerful imagery, I must say. Thank again for sharing!
Interestingly, the image in my poetry post for today is the opposite of yours – fire. Words by Neil Gaiman, a Gathering Books favorite.
http://gatheringbooks.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/poetry-friday-poetry-sets-my-heart-on-fire/
– Fats
Love the poem you shared. Love. Love. Love.
Hi Laura, I added part of my previous review to a rating/review on Amazon for you. They need to approve, but it should be up by tomorrow I guess. I’m glad to do it! I love this idea of poetry telling the Titanic story. It sounds great, & those first words you shared are ‘icy’ as you said. I’ll be sure to put it on my very long list. I have a poem to share from a poet new to me this Friday. http://www.teacherdance.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-poets-words-that-touched-me.html Thanks again for hosting.
That is so kind of you, Linda–Thanks! I think you’ll love this book. It had a lot of emotional power to it. Interesting poem you shared–it challenged me a lot!
Hi Laura, I added part of my previous review to a rating/review on Amazon for you. They need to approve, but it should be up by tomorrow I guess. I’m glad to do it! I love this idea of poetry telling the Titanic story. It sounds great, & those first words you shared are ‘icy’ as you said. I’ll be sure to put it on my very long list. I have a poem to share from a poet new to me this Friday. http://www.teacherdance.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-poets-words-that-touched-me.html Thanks again for hosting.
That is so kind of you, Linda–Thanks! I think you’ll love this book. It had a lot of emotional power to it. Interesting poem you shared–it challenged me a lot!
Thanks for hosting, Laura! Also, The Watch That Ends the Night sounds like it would be great for my 6th grader — thanks for the tip.
Yes! It’s a big book with lots of viewpoints, but very readable. I think middle schoolers who are enthusiastic readers would definitely like it!
Thanks for hosting, Laura! Also, The Watch That Ends the Night sounds like it would be great for my 6th grader — thanks for the tip.
Yes! It’s a big book with lots of viewpoints, but very readable. I think middle schoolers who are enthusiastic readers would definitely like it!
Hi, Laura. The character of that iceberg is so clear. The way it refers to the Titanic as a little fish is chilling indeed! I’m looking forward to reading this one. We loved it when the Titanic exhibit came to Baltimore’s Science Center. This book would have been a great to read after our visit.
So excited about the Titanic, I forgot to add:
Poet Tony Medina has a new children’s book, The President Looks Like Me, coming out before the election. This month, I’m going to feature his books of poetry for kids.
First up is a wonderful verse biography of poet Langston Hughes, Love to Langston. http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2012/10/poetry-friday-love-to-langston.html
That’s a beautiful poem you shared, Laura–stunning images throughout.
Hi, Laura. The character of that iceberg is so clear. The way it refers to the Titanic as a little fish is chilling indeed! I’m looking forward to reading this one. We loved it when the Titanic exhibit came to Baltimore’s Science Center. This book would have been a great to read after our visit.
So excited about the Titanic, I forgot to add:
Poet Tony Medina has a new children’s book, The President Looks Like Me, coming out before the election. This month, I’m going to feature his books of poetry for kids.
First up is a wonderful verse biography of poet Langston Hughes, Love to Langston. http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2012/10/poetry-friday-love-to-langston.html
That’s a beautiful poem you shared, Laura–stunning images throughout.
Thanks for hosting Laura! I’m in with a review of Douglas Florian’s newest- SHIVER ME TIMBERS- 19 poems for the pirates in your life.
I fell in love with BOOKSPEAK last year when I read it for the CYBILS awards. I reviewed it on my blog and will head over to Amazon to post a review.
I hadn’t heard of this one yet–thank you for the introduction!
Thanks for hosting Laura! I’m in with a review of Douglas Florian’s newest- SHIVER ME TIMBERS- 19 poems for the pirates in your life.
I fell in love with BOOKSPEAK last year when I read it for the CYBILS awards. I reviewed it on my blog and will head over to Amazon to post a review.
I hadn’t heard of this one yet–thank you for the introduction!
Laura,
Happy to post about BOOKSPEAK, but I am more than a little stupid about that kind of stuff. I see where to put my name in, and where to enter my review, then I see a button where it says PREVIEW, but I can’t figure out how to actually post my review! You can email me at carwilc@aol.com and I’ll be happy to finish the job!
Laura,
Happy to post about BOOKSPEAK, but I am more than a little stupid about that kind of stuff. I see where to put my name in, and where to enter my review, then I see a button where it says PREVIEW, but I can’t figure out how to actually post my review! You can email me at carwilc@aol.com and I’ll be happy to finish the job!
Sounds like there are very haunting moments in this telling of the Titanic. I will definitely offer a rating and comment on Amazon for Book Speak! Thanks for hosting. My post has a taste of Roethke and a fowl inspired poem of my own.
Review being processed, realized I just did it under my husband’s account though, so I may have to do two. 🙂 Have a great Friday!
Thanks, Betsy! That’s so nice of you–I appreciate it!
Loved your waterfowl poem, Betsy. Whenever I see a wading bird, I have to gaze a little longer!
Sounds like there are very haunting moments in this telling of the Titanic. I will definitely offer a rating and comment on Amazon for Book Speak! Thanks for hosting. My post has a taste of Roethke and a fowl inspired poem of my own.
Review being processed, realized I just did it under my husband’s account though, so I may have to do two. 🙂 Have a great Friday!
Thanks, Betsy! That’s so nice of you–I appreciate it!
Loved your waterfowl poem, Betsy. Whenever I see a wading bird, I have to gaze a little longer!
The Watch that Ends the Night sounds like a fascinating book! Looks like I have two to add to my list: This one and BookSpeak (and I will write a review 🙂
Thanks for hosting this week. I’m linking up with my poem “Brazen Buttenut Squash” http://izatrapani.com/wp/?p=1730
I loved those shockingly forward squash! I hope you enjoy both books:>) Thanks, Iza.
P.S. How do you pronounce your name? Is it eye-zuh or something totally different? I hate it when I think someone’s name incorrectly for years and then meet them and realize that I’ve had their name wrong all along:>)
The Watch that Ends the Night sounds like a fascinating book! Looks like I have two to add to my list: This one and BookSpeak (and I will write a review 🙂
Thanks for hosting this week. I’m linking up with my poem “Brazen Buttenut Squash” http://izatrapani.com/wp/?p=1730
I loved those shockingly forward squash! I hope you enjoy both books:>) Thanks, Iza.
P.S. How do you pronounce your name? Is it eye-zuh or something totally different? I hate it when I think someone’s name incorrectly for years and then meet them and realize that I’ve had their name wrong all along:>)
Dear Laura, thanks for hosting! You may have convinced me to read this one — my youngest went through a Titanic obsession (ha) that lasted several years… I’ve thought that if I never read or see another thing about the Titanic it would be just find with me. Maybe…. and you know, that review thing is such a simple thing to do. Putting it on today’s list, and I apologize for not doing it sooner! Love to you!
No apologies needed, Irene! Of course, there’s no way we have time to review every book we like. My new way of supporting other writers is that whenever I do a Goodreads rating of 4 or 5 stars, I also go to Amazon and paste my review there. But every writer has her own way of doing reciprocity and showing book love, and I know Amazon reviews are NOT on everyone’s radar. I’m just realizing how much weight those reviews have, so I thought I’d be bold and ask:>)
This Titanic book really is stunning…but, like any book, not for every single reader. If you’re Titanicked out…
Dear Laura, thanks for hosting! You may have convinced me to read this one — my youngest went through a Titanic obsession (ha) that lasted several years… I’ve thought that if I never read or see another thing about the Titanic it would be just find with me. Maybe…. and you know, that review thing is such a simple thing to do. Putting it on today’s list, and I apologize for not doing it sooner! Love to you!
No apologies needed, Irene! Of course, there’s no way we have time to review every book we like. My new way of supporting other writers is that whenever I do a Goodreads rating of 4 or 5 stars, I also go to Amazon and paste my review there. But every writer has her own way of doing reciprocity and showing book love, and I know Amazon reviews are NOT on everyone’s radar. I’m just realizing how much weight those reviews have, so I thought I’d be bold and ask:>)
This Titanic book really is stunning…but, like any book, not for every single reader. If you’re Titanicked out…
Wow! Those excerpts really grabbed me. Really want to read the book now.
I’m also featuring Doug Florian’s SHIVER ME TIMBERS! Truly an exceptional collection, and Robert Neubecker’s art is perfection!
http://jamarattigan.com/2012/10/05/friday-feast-shiver-me-timbers-by-douglas-florian-and-robert-neubecker/
Thanks so much for hosting today!!
This looks fun–but a Florian book without Florian art. Well, that will take some getting used to. Your post was beautiful, as always!
Wow! Those excerpts really grabbed me. Really want to read the book now.
I’m also featuring Doug Florian’s SHIVER ME TIMBERS! Truly an exceptional collection, and Robert Neubecker’s art is perfection!
http://jamarattigan.com/2012/10/05/friday-feast-shiver-me-timbers-by-douglas-florian-and-robert-neubecker/
Thanks so much for hosting today!!
This looks fun–but a Florian book without Florian art. Well, that will take some getting used to. Your post was beautiful, as always!
Hi, Laura, thanks for hosting– and sharing these excerpts from an amazing book. And I love BOOKSPEAK too– one of my favorites from 2011– and I’m happy to “like” it on Amazon! Today, my post is all about Halloween-themed poetry. Pumpkin time!
I love the list you shared, Sylvia. Thanks for Liking BookSpeak on Amazon–I appreciate it:>) (I can’t believe you were here on PF today–oi! Rest up! Take care of yourself!)
Hi, Laura, thanks for hosting– and sharing these excerpts from an amazing book. And I love BOOKSPEAK too– one of my favorites from 2011– and I’m happy to “like” it on Amazon! Today, my post is all about Halloween-themed poetry. Pumpkin time!
I love the list you shared, Sylvia. Thanks for Liking BookSpeak on Amazon–I appreciate it:>) (I can’t believe you were here on PF today–oi! Rest up! Take care of yourself!)
One more from me– this time featuring the Week 6 post from THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY with an excerpt of Michael J. Rosen’s “Earthworms” rich and ooey poem!
THat was a delightful and somewhat disgusting excerpt:>)
One more from me– this time featuring the Week 6 post from THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY with an excerpt of Michael J. Rosen’s “Earthworms” rich and ooey poem!
THat was a delightful and somewhat disgusting excerpt:>)
Thanks for hosting, Laura. I will be happy to leave a Book Speak comment. Thanks for the review of The Watch That Ends the Night! The excerpts from the iceberg poems are chilling!
Hehehe. They are, aren’t they? And thank you so much for commenting on BookSpeak. It really helps a book reach its audience!
Thanks for hosting, Laura. I will be happy to leave a Book Speak comment. Thanks for the review of The Watch That Ends the Night! The excerpts from the iceberg poems are chilling!
Hehehe. They are, aren’t they? And thank you so much for commenting on BookSpeak. It really helps a book reach its audience!
THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT is such a rich and fascinating book; Allan’s ability to become so many characters is incredible. He makes it all real in a haunting and gorgeous way.
I went and officially “liked” BOOKSPEAK! on Amazon…though I have unofficially liked it for a much longer time. Now I am on record!
Today at The Poem Farm, I share a short nature poem about trees shaking out their hair…Thank you for hosting!
a.
Thanks, Amy! Can’t wait to see you in Vegas, btw. Our ash trees just lost all their hair–loved your poem and post. Every language arts teacher in the country should be reading your blog and using it in the classroom!
THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT is such a rich and fascinating book; Allan’s ability to become so many characters is incredible. He makes it all real in a haunting and gorgeous way.
I went and officially “liked” BOOKSPEAK! on Amazon…though I have unofficially liked it for a much longer time. Now I am on record!
Today at The Poem Farm, I share a short nature poem about trees shaking out their hair…Thank you for hosting!
a.
Thanks, Amy! Can’t wait to see you in Vegas, btw. Our ash trees just lost all their hair–loved your poem and post. Every language arts teacher in the country should be reading your blog and using it in the classroom!
Thanks for hosting, Laura! My oldest daughter loves books in verse, so I will definitely pass this on to her. I’m in this week with Carl Dennis — Mr. Linky knows where to find me. 🙂
I hope she likes it! That poem was just beautiful. Funny how some kids just have that spirit, and you pray they can keep it intact.
Thanks for hosting, Laura! My oldest daughter loves books in verse, so I will definitely pass this on to her. I’m in this week with Carl Dennis — Mr. Linky knows where to find me. 🙂
I hope she likes it! That poem was just beautiful. Funny how some kids just have that spirit, and you pray they can keep it intact.
That Titanic books looks great. My 2nd grader is fascinated with the Titanic and reads every book he can get his hands on. What age would you say this book is best for? He tends toward anxiety, which plays into his fascination with sinking ships and lost lives, so I wouldn’t want to give him a book too overwhelming.
I am reviewing a little kid’s poetry book at A Wrung Sponge today – Dreaming Up! Thanks for rounding us up.
Hi Andi! I would say this is defnitely middle school or older. Probably tons of high school and adult readers, too. There’s nothing inappropriate, per se, for 2nd graders, but there’s a lot of emotional stuff that would go over his head, as well as a lot of social commentary subtext–anyway, I’d save this one for when he’s in 7th or 8th grade. It’s kind of a dilemma when our kids have a fascination with but an anxiety around certain topics, isn’t it? I love to read about things that scare or worry me, but only it certain ways, certain removed-at-a-distance-from-me ways. And I can’t read too many of them in a row! OK, I guess it’s a dilemma for some grown-ups, too!
Dreaming Up looks lovely! I’ve put it on reserve.
That Titanic books looks great. My 2nd grader is fascinated with the Titanic and reads every book he can get his hands on. What age would you say this book is best for? He tends toward anxiety, which plays into his fascination with sinking ships and lost lives, so I wouldn’t want to give him a book too overwhelming.
I am reviewing a little kid’s poetry book at A Wrung Sponge today – Dreaming Up! Thanks for rounding us up.
Hi Andi! I would say this is defnitely middle school or older. Probably tons of high school and adult readers, too. There’s nothing inappropriate, per se, for 2nd graders, but there’s a lot of emotional stuff that would go over his head, as well as a lot of social commentary subtext–anyway, I’d save this one for when he’s in 7th or 8th grade. It’s kind of a dilemma when our kids have a fascination with but an anxiety around certain topics, isn’t it? I love to read about things that scare or worry me, but only it certain ways, certain removed-at-a-distance-from-me ways. And I can’t read too many of them in a row! OK, I guess it’s a dilemma for some grown-ups, too!
Dreaming Up looks lovely! I’ve put it on reserve.
Thanx for hosting and hoisting poetry, Laura! “Early to Rise” by Mary Mapes Dodge is over at the Florian Cafe:http://floriancafe.blogspot.com/
Congrats on your new book–can’t wait to see it! And I got a good laugh out of the poem you shared. My teenager (whose text waiting for me this morning says LET ME SLEEEEEEEEEEEEP PLZ) needs this on a sign on her door!
Thanx for hosting and hoisting poetry, Laura! “Early to Rise” by Mary Mapes Dodge is over at the Florian Cafe:http://floriancafe.blogspot.com/
Congrats on your new book–can’t wait to see it! And I got a good laugh out of the poem you shared. My teenager (whose text waiting for me this morning says LET ME SLEEEEEEEEEEEEP PLZ) needs this on a sign on her door!
Oo, sinister choice, Laura, quite chilling. brrrr Thank you for hosting.
I am nearing the end of my endangered specie haiku.
http://joannamarple.com/?p=4451
Those are such cool haiku, Joanna. I’ve caught them in bits and pieces. Do you have plans to submit the collection, or to self-publish it? Or will it be strictly an online project?
Oo, sinister choice, Laura, quite chilling. brrrr Thank you for hosting.
I am nearing the end of my endangered specie haiku.
http://joannamarple.com/?p=4451
Those are such cool haiku, Joanna. I’ve caught them in bits and pieces. Do you have plans to submit the collection, or to self-publish it? Or will it be strictly an online project?
I’ve heard that icebergs can make loud, sharp groaning, moaning creaks. I’d love to hear those one day as long as I am out of harms way!
I fed Mr. Linky my http: gobbledygook for “Humming” which is the last in my five poem series inspired by sculptures at the deCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA. Happy Friday!
http://bildebok.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/humming/
I agree–I’ve heard the sounds on a documentary, and they are eerie! Love your ekphraistic (I think that’s the spelling) poems!
I’ve heard that icebergs can make loud, sharp groaning, moaning creaks. I’d love to hear those one day as long as I am out of harms way!
I fed Mr. Linky my http: gobbledygook for “Humming” which is the last in my five poem series inspired by sculptures at the deCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA. Happy Friday!
http://bildebok.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/humming/
I agree–I’ve heard the sounds on a documentary, and they are eerie! Love your ekphraistic (I think that’s the spelling) poems!
I can’t believe I forgot to review Bookspeak on Amazon. Thanks for reminding us, Laura. Titanic book going on TBR pile.
Here’s a fun Thanksgiving poem from a lady called Lauren:
https://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/thanksgiving/
Oh, that’s hysterical! I didn’t see your link in Mr. Linky, so I added it. Hope I didn’t duplicate… Enjoy the Titanic book. And thank you for your very kind BookSPeak review!
I can’t believe I forgot to review Bookspeak on Amazon. Thanks for reminding us, Laura. Titanic book going on TBR pile.
Here’s a fun Thanksgiving poem from a lady called Lauren:
https://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/thanksgiving/
Oh, that’s hysterical! I didn’t see your link in Mr. Linky, so I added it. Hope I didn’t duplicate… Enjoy the Titanic book. And thank you for your very kind BookSPeak review!
Thanks for hosting, Laura. I loved BookSpeak! so I’ll be happy to hustle over to Amazon and say so.
Thanks, too, for sharing this book – it would make for a great mentor text to study perspective.
Thanks, Tara–that would be really wonderful! I loved the Imperfections poem you shared–I’m a big list-maker and I love being productive, but I also like to ease up and enjoy life. I constantly work on loving my imperfections–and there are many to love.
Hope you enjoy the book–it would be excellent for looking at both voice and point of view!
Thanks for hosting, Laura. I loved BookSpeak! so I’ll be happy to hustle over to Amazon and say so.
Thanks, too, for sharing this book – it would make for a great mentor text to study perspective.
Thanks, Tara–that would be really wonderful! I loved the Imperfections poem you shared–I’m a big list-maker and I love being productive, but I also like to ease up and enjoy life. I constantly work on loving my imperfections–and there are many to love.
Hope you enjoy the book–it would be excellent for looking at both voice and point of view!
Thanks for hosting. The excerpts you shared have captured my imagination and I will be adding that book to my collection ASAP.
My selection is “Please bury me in the library written by J. Patrick Lewis and illustrated by Kyle M. Stone.
Hi Janet–Hope you enjoy the book! I don’t see a link in Mr. Linky…did you leave one?
I just went ahead and put a link in Mr. Linky for you. Hope it’s not a duplicate, but I didn’t see one in there already…
Thanks for hosting. The excerpts you shared have captured my imagination and I will be adding that book to my collection ASAP.
My selection is “Please bury me in the library written by J. Patrick Lewis and illustrated by Kyle M. Stone.
Hi Janet–Hope you enjoy the book! I don’t see a link in Mr. Linky…did you leave one?
I just went ahead and put a link in Mr. Linky for you. Hope it’s not a duplicate, but I didn’t see one in there already…
Hi, Laura! Thanks for doing the roundup this week. I haven’t been blogging much in the past few months. Being a nanny granny keeps me pretty busy!
At Wild Rose Reader, I have an original animal mask poem titled “The Sound of Fall.”
http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-sound-of-fall-original-animal-mask.html
P.S. I LOVE your poems in “BoookSpeak!” I think the illustrations in the book are fantastic too.
Thanks, Elaine. Thrilled to know you’re still writing, even if you haven’t had a chance to blog lately! Look forward to hearing more publishing news from you:>) And thanks for the kind words about BookSpeak!
Hi, Laura! Thanks for doing the roundup this week. I haven’t been blogging much in the past few months. Being a nanny granny keeps me pretty busy!
At Wild Rose Reader, I have an original animal mask poem titled “The Sound of Fall.”
http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-sound-of-fall-original-animal-mask.html
P.S. I LOVE your poems in “BoookSpeak!” I think the illustrations in the book are fantastic too.
Thanks, Elaine. Thrilled to know you’re still writing, even if you haven’t had a chance to blog lately! Look forward to hearing more publishing news from you:>) And thanks for the kind words about BookSpeak!
I am obsessed with anything Titanic, so this has been on my TBR list since I first heard about it. Now that you’ve given me a glimpse, it’s going in the cart. Gorgeous and creepy!
Thanks for hosting, and for helping me out with my link!
Enjoy it, Renee. It’s awesome. Gorgeous and creepy (though creepy is only a very small portion, but haunting is a big portion)!
I am obsessed with anything Titanic, so this has been on my TBR list since I first heard about it. Now that you’ve given me a glimpse, it’s going in the cart. Gorgeous and creepy!
Thanks for hosting, and for helping me out with my link!
Enjoy it, Renee. It’s awesome. Gorgeous and creepy (though creepy is only a very small portion, but haunting is a big portion)!
Thanks, Laura, for featuring The Watch That Ends the Night today – I’ve put it on hold at the library and look forward to reading it. I actually find it interesting when a good poet uses partial rhyme – I don’t think it’s accidental or a matter of lack of technical control. So why would Wolf do it? Maybe he wants the effect of those small rhymes to be like sounds floating out across that black ocean occasionally – kind of like a ship’s bell, sounding only once in awhile in the dark. If done right. it could be eerie (kind of funereal?) given the subject matter, but it must not be achieving the desired effect. Maybe the “verse” part of “verse novel” pushed Wolf into rhyme unnecessarily? It’s such a tricky (nerve-wracking, I think) format. I’ve got a poem by the wonderful James Arthur over at The Drift Record today that also uses rhyme in an unusual way, and I think James is quite successful at it.
I definitely don’t think it’s accidental–ooh, interesting thought about the ship’s bell effect. I’m sure Wolf had very purposeful reasons for it. I just found it distracting–probably since I write in rhyme a lot and I like consistency…I quite enjoy near rhymes and soundplay and subtler rhymes. But it troubled me to go from free verse to overt rhyme schemes in a single poem (several different times). I look forward to hearing what you think about it after you read it. I hope you love the book! I enjoyed Arthur’s poem and your thoughts on it. I always learn something new when I stop by your blog!
Thanks, Laura, for featuring The Watch That Ends the Night today – I’ve put it on hold at the library and look forward to reading it. I actually find it interesting when a good poet uses partial rhyme – I don’t think it’s accidental or a matter of lack of technical control. So why would Wolf do it? Maybe he wants the effect of those small rhymes to be like sounds floating out across that black ocean occasionally – kind of like a ship’s bell, sounding only once in awhile in the dark. If done right. it could be eerie (kind of funereal?) given the subject matter, but it must not be achieving the desired effect. Maybe the “verse” part of “verse novel” pushed Wolf into rhyme unnecessarily? It’s such a tricky (nerve-wracking, I think) format. I’ve got a poem by the wonderful James Arthur over at The Drift Record today that also uses rhyme in an unusual way, and I think James is quite successful at it.
I definitely don’t think it’s accidental–ooh, interesting thought about the ship’s bell effect. I’m sure Wolf had very purposeful reasons for it. I just found it distracting–probably since I write in rhyme a lot and I like consistency…I quite enjoy near rhymes and soundplay and subtler rhymes. But it troubled me to go from free verse to overt rhyme schemes in a single poem (several different times). I look forward to hearing what you think about it after you read it. I hope you love the book! I enjoyed Arthur’s poem and your thoughts on it. I always learn something new when I stop by your blog!
The Watch That Ends the Night looks fabulous. My daughter went a bit Titanic crazy last year — we still have a picture she drew of the ship up in our kitchen (which frequently looks like a disaster, so it seems appropriate somehow)! Anyway, we will definitely one to read that one! Thank you for hosting today. I haven’t “played” in a while, but had a lot of fun writing a list poem yesterday and ended up deciding to post it today. It’s called “Why Write?” Just left it on Mr. Linky, but here’s the URL again: http://bookwormjournal.blogspot.com/2012/10/poetry-friday-why-write-oridinal-poem.html
Ooh, her poem would be a good fit for our kitchen (ahem, our whole house, actually), too. Loved your list poem–Isn’t Falling Down the Page wonderful?
The Watch That Ends the Night looks fabulous. My daughter went a bit Titanic crazy last year — we still have a picture she drew of the ship up in our kitchen (which frequently looks like a disaster, so it seems appropriate somehow)! Anyway, we will definitely one to read that one! Thank you for hosting today. I haven’t “played” in a while, but had a lot of fun writing a list poem yesterday and ended up deciding to post it today. It’s called “Why Write?” Just left it on Mr. Linky, but here’s the URL again: http://bookwormjournal.blogspot.com/2012/10/poetry-friday-why-write-oridinal-poem.html
Ooh, her poem would be a good fit for our kitchen (ahem, our whole house, actually), too. Loved your list poem–Isn’t Falling Down the Page wonderful?
Just reserved BookSpeak from the library, and am looking forward to giving it an excellent Amazon review! And I’m looking forward to reading the Titanic book too. Thanks, Laura!
Aw, thanks, Linda! Hope you enjoy both books!
Just reserved BookSpeak from the library, and am looking forward to giving it an excellent Amazon review! And I’m looking forward to reading the Titanic book too. Thanks, Laura!
Aw, thanks, Linda! Hope you enjoy both books!
Laura,
I left my link on Mr. Linky this morning but haven’t seen it in your list. Maybe you’re just overwhelmed with wonderful links today! My original poem “Cloister Ruins” is at Musings at http://joyceray.blogspot.com Thank you!
Hi Joyce, I’m working through the 40+ list as quickly as I can between deadlines and appointments. I’m trying to actually go read each post before I add it to the list so that I can describe what it is a bit:>)
Laura, I am so sorry! Please forgive what seems like impatience. I truly thought my link had slipped through the cracks. I’m not so used to Mr.Linky. Now I understand I should be sampling the wonderful posts from the Linky list. Of course it takes time to read each offering and leave thoughtful comments. I am red-faced and apologize.
I’m sorry, Joyce! I really DIDN’T mean to make you feel bad! I usually don’t even do a manual rounding-up, I just let Mr. Linky do the work. But people make it look so easy, and it feels more personal, so I thought I’d try. Hehe–I am feeling rather inadequate at the moment!
Laura,
I left my link on Mr. Linky this morning but haven’t seen it in your list. Maybe you’re just overwhelmed with wonderful links today! My original poem “Cloister Ruins” is at Musings at http://joyceray.blogspot.com Thank you!
Hi Joyce, I’m working through the 40+ list as quickly as I can between deadlines and appointments. I’m trying to actually go read each post before I add it to the list so that I can describe what it is a bit:>)
Laura, I am so sorry! Please forgive what seems like impatience. I truly thought my link had slipped through the cracks. I’m not so used to Mr.Linky. Now I understand I should be sampling the wonderful posts from the Linky list. Of course it takes time to read each offering and leave thoughtful comments. I am red-faced and apologize.
I’m sorry, Joyce! I really DIDN’T mean to make you feel bad! I usually don’t even do a manual rounding-up, I just let Mr. Linky do the work. But people make it look so easy, and it feels more personal, so I thought I’d try. Hehe–I am feeling rather inadequate at the moment!
Wow, this books sounds fascinating, Laura. Great, ENTICING post!
Thanks, Jill. It was fun to share a book that captured me so much:>)
Wow, this books sounds fascinating, Laura. Great, ENTICING post!
Thanks, Jill. It was fun to share a book that captured me so much:>)
Hello Mr Linky
I will be meeting poets in web cafe’s, on internet bridges, overpasses and on the shores of prompting ponds.
Thank you Laura Salas.
Jeanne Poland
Happy to see you here, Jeanne!
Hello Mr Linky
I will be meeting poets in web cafe’s, on internet bridges, overpasses and on the shores of prompting ponds.
Thank you Laura Salas.
Jeanne Poland
Happy to see you here, Jeanne!
Hi again, Laura! Just wanted to thank you for this terrific round-up – it was a big herd off in many directions! I’m enjoying finally making the rounds this weekend. (Thanks, too, for the plug re my new column over at Janice Hardy’s blog.)
Sure thing, Robyn, and thanks for your email! I’ll look around and make a choice soon. (Rubbing my hands in anticipation!)
Hi again, Laura! Just wanted to thank you for this terrific round-up – it was a big herd off in many directions! I’m enjoying finally making the rounds this weekend. (Thanks, too, for the plug re my new column over at Janice Hardy’s blog.)
Sure thing, Robyn, and thanks for your email! I’ll look around and make a choice soon. (Rubbing my hands in anticipation!)
I didn’t get a chance to read this post with your request (or any of the poems listed) yesterday, but am working on it today. I don’t know if you saw that I did post something on your Facebook wall yesterday about “BookSpeak!”? When I have a moment to do so, I will be happy to write a review for it on Amazon!
I will have to look for “The Watch That Ends the Night” — it sounds like something I would really enjoy!
I didn’t get a chance to read this post with your request (or any of the poems listed) yesterday, but am working on it today. I don’t know if you saw that I did post something on your Facebook wall yesterday about “BookSpeak!”? When I have a moment to do so, I will be happy to write a review for it on Amazon!
I will have to look for “The Watch That Ends the Night” — it sounds like something I would really enjoy!
Great review! The Watch That Ends the Night sounds like an incredible book. It’s been on my to read list for awhile and this makes me really anxious to finally read it.
I really loved it. It had been on my radar for a while, too…So glad I finally got to it!
Great review! The Watch That Ends the Night sounds like an incredible book. It’s been on my to read list for awhile and this makes me really anxious to finally read it.
I really loved it. It had been on my radar for a while, too…So glad I finally got to it!