___________________________________________________
Nikki Grimes
WordSong (Boyds Mills Press)
Ages 8 - 12
84 pp.
Gaby daydreams to tune out her parents’ arguments, but when her
parents divorce and she begins a new school, daydreaming gets her into
trouble. Her mother scolds her for it, her teacher keeps telling her to
pay attention, and the other kids tease her...until she finds a friend
who also daydreams and her teacher decides to work a daydreaming-writing
session into every school day. With a notebook “thick with daydreams,”
Gaby grows more confident about herself and her future. This verse novel
poignantly celebrates the power of writing and the inspiration a good
teacher can deliver.
This slim little volume packs an emotional punch. Reminiscent of Sharon Creech's Love That Dog (which I loved) Words with Wings explores a child's sense of loss when her parents divorce and she begins attending a new school. Escaping into a world of daydreams, Gaby worries about many things: if she'll ever meet a new best friend, if she'll get in trouble with her teacher, will she see her father again. These little poems are not overly sentimental, yet they reveal a compelling story with which many young readers will relate. And it's a wonderful way to introduce children to contemporary poetry. I admit I got a bit teary-eyed at the end and can recommend this book with confidence.
CONTENT RATING:
Violence - None
Profanity - None
Sexuality - None
No comments:
Post a Comment