  | This is just to say : poems of apology and forgiveness Author: Sidman, Joyce | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
A sixth grade class writes and assembles poems of apologies and unexpected responses.
| Illustrator: | Zagarenski, Pamela |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 3.90 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 113874 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 4.20 Points: 3.0 Quiz: 43158 | |
Common Core Standards
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 4 → Reading → RF Foundational Skills → 4.RF Fluency
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Key Ideas & Details
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/07)
School Library Journal (+) (00/05/07)
Booklist (05/15/07)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/01/2007 Gr 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." Mrs. Garcia's response poem says, "Of course I forgive you./But I still have to call your mother." A more serious concern emerges in "Next Time," written by Jewel: "Please, please come back./Don't leave me spinning alone,/like a slow, sad tornado./I'm sorry, Daddy./Next time I'll be/perfect." In the response poem, Jewel describes her father's wrenching reply telling her that, "None of the stupid things/I have ever done/are even close to being your fault." 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 Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2007 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 05/15/2007 For a poetry unit, a fictional sixth-grade class writes “sorry” poems. They like their poems so much they decide to put them together into a book and then add a second section with responses from the recipients of the “sorry” poems. The result is a captivating anthology of short poems in various styles touching on different aspects of life. Some poems are humorous, some are sad; some poets are deeply sorry, some aren’t; and some kids are forgiven, whileothers are not. Topics include such things as rough play in dodgeball, stealing brownies, breaking a cherished item, and the death of a pet. The quirky illustrations, created with a variety of media, collage, and computer graphics, give a lighthearted feel to the anthology. The fictional authors of the poems are featured in various activities relating to the subject of the poems and provide a very pleasant balance to the text. Children will find much to identify with in the situations presented in the apology poems, and they’ll appreciate the resolutions given in the responses. - Copyright 2007 Booklist.
