What Parents Should Know
Many different type of poetry are discussed and modeled,
perhaps prompting some readers to try some of their own. The
power of words and writing to help us deal with life is shown
(not to mention that writing poetry gets Kevin a terrific
girlfriend!).
Common Sense Media Review
Haiku, sonnet, pantoum, ballad, blank verse, sestina, rhymed
couplets, and pastoral are just some of the forms Kevin tries
out, along with learning about rhythm, meter, and different
types of rhyme. The plot proceeds in the poetry, the poetry is
integral to the plot, the two together form a seamless whole
that is accessible even to reluctant readers. The writing is
believably that of a young teen; one can see progression in his
skill, and the voice is real. It's about as well done as a
novel in verse can be. Junior high and high school writing
teachers could do worse than to use this book as a text for
poetry, character development, and economical use of
language.
Kevin's laid-back, humorous personality gives this book a warm, light touch, even when dealing with a serious issue. Though Kevin is coping with his mother's death, by the time the book starts he's past the worst of it, and just feeling a sense of loss and a vague melancholy. But most of the book is just concerned with his life, his attempts to get it back after the disease passes, and the new layers writing has added. It's a delightful confection.
From the Book:
In That Book of Dad's I Borrowed
chapter two was about the sonnet.
Man, those made me want to go back to
haiku. Like a burger with everything on it,
sonnets are packed with roses and dew,
summer days, tender breaths, rocks and rills
(whatever rills are), and tons of wimpy guys
who apparently thought it was a thrill
to sit around with some sheep and sigh
about everything. I'm not that lame.
I'm just a former baseball whiz who'd like
to do what I used to do. Again.
Even if it means getting called out on strikes.
Sorry, Will, the sonnet's not for me.
Baseball's my love -- not some thou or thee.
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