Poetry Friday: In Memorium

One of Silver Star’s former students, Nick M., died too soon. It was shocking to hear the news just as the Back-to-School Bar-B-Que began last night.  Only twenty-four and I wondered what happened along the way of a freckled-face boy who had a quiet mischief about him.

In looking through poems last night I found this one by Naomi Shihab Nye :

Boy and Egg

by Naomi Shihab Nye

Every few minutes, he wants

to march the trail of flattened rye grass

back to the house of muttering

hens. He too could make

a bed in hay. Yesterday the egg so fresh

it felt hot in his hand and he pressed it

to his ear while the other children

laughed and ran with a ball, leaving him,

so little yet, too forgetful in games,

ready to cry if the ball brushed him,

riveted to the secret of birds

caught up inside his fist,

not ready to give it over

to the refrigerator

or the rest of the day.

(from her book Fuel)

 

The poem speaks to me of a more innocent and magical time in the life of a child.  It’s a tragedy that Nick perhaps lost those moments of his own life.  I hope he has found peace at last. I send loving and healing thoughts to his sisters and parents.

 

Poetry Friday is hosted by Book Aunt today.

MsMac

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Non-Fiction Monday: Two Bobbies by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery

As we approached the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I thought it appropriate to review Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery.  

I’m kind of surprised that I haven’t shared it earlier.  It was a nominee for the Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award this past school year. No surprise, it won the award.

Two animals, a dog and a cat, both without tails, find each other in the aftermath of Katrina.  For four months, they wandered the streets of New Orleans until they were rescued by Best Friends Animal Shelter.  It is there that volunteers realize that Bob Cat is blind and that Bobbi, the dog has acted as a guide. 

The pair become a national news item and eventually find a home in southeast Oregon. A photo of the two animals and an afterward complete the book.

While it is more an incredible story of friendship and survival, the book is an excellent story to talk to young children about the devastating effects of Katrina.  The story is does not sugar coast the events five years ago but it is an uplifting book.  Kids relate to animals. There’s plenty of opportunity to talk about natural disasters, friendship , and animal shelters.

 Just yesterday, I was introduced to another book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson over at 7-IMP.  I see reading both books to students as a way to see how both people and animals can persevere and survive.

Nonfiction Monday is hosted by Playing by the Book.

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IT’S COMING!!!

The Cybils nominations begin October 15.  Don’t know what the CYBILS are?  REad about them HERE. 
I am the organizer for the Nonfiction Picture Book category.  If you are passionate about Nonfiction Picture Books, please contact me about being on either the round one or round two.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

Poetry Friday: Summer Song

I’ve fallen behind on my summer reading and writing about Kooser’s Home Repair Poetry Manual. So today as I leave for a last weekend of summer fun, I leave you with a summer poem by one of my favorites.

Summer Song

By William Carlos Williams

Wanderer moon

smiling a

faintly ironical smile

at this

brilliant, dew-moistened

summer morning,—

a detached

sleepily indifferent

smile, a

wanderer’s smile,—

if I should

buy a shirt

your color and

put on a necktie

sky-blue

where would they carry me?

Found at Poets.org. Poetry Friday is hosted at Stenhouse Blog.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

Dog Days of Summer

I have been negligent, traveling, reading, and writing. 

I have not been blogging. 

I am writing a poem a day and this month participating in Laurie Halse Anderson’s WFMAD (Write 15 Minutes a Day)

I am behind on Non-Fiction Monday and Poetry Friday.

This is the month for getting back into school.

I have one last big fling with my college pals this weekend.

Then it is back to work, back to really blogging.

Howver, I do have news: Natalie of  Natalie Dias Lorenzi won the copy of  My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart.  see, I too 2.5 weeks to announce that. Sheesh.  Congrat, Natalie.

Happy Reading.

MsMac