Quick Book Review - Keesha's House by Helen Frost

I picked up Keesha's House by Helen Frost from a special "April is Poetry Month" display at the library. I've been a fan of verse novels ever since I read Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust. Alternating narrators reveal stories of troubled teens who find a common safe place. They all have various reasons why they don't feel welcome at home. Stephie is pregnant. Harris just came out to his close-minded family. Katie's stepfather keeps trying to come in her bedroom at night. Staying at "Keesha's house" gives them time to make important decisions and set off on a new path in life, whether that means staying on their own or returning home. Not everyone gets a traditional happy ending, but every story is hopeful. The poems flowed across the page so effortlessly that it wasn't until I read the author's information at the back that I realized they were all written in either sestina or sonnet form. All in all, a book I highly recommend.

April is National Poetry Month

Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? Visit the Academy of American Poets for more information about the celebration, information on poems, poets, and poetic forms, and poetry recordings.

Using Music to Bring Life to Poetry

When I was a teacher, I enjoyed incorporating music in my poetry units. I thought it was a good way to ease students in to the study of poetry by starting with something that was a bit more familiar. Check out my article, Using Music to Bring Life to Poetry, at Associated Content to read more about this practice.

Author Profile - The Poetry of Sonya Sones

When you think of poetry, what do you normally think of? Do you think of it telling a story? Probably not. While much of the poetry we come across concerns itself with creating a single image or communicating a specific feeling, there are authors out there who use their skill with poetic verse to create a larger story.

Sonya Sones is one of these talented authors who have perfected the art of creating a novel out of poetry. Give her a try, even if you think you don't normally enjoy poetry.