Poetry Text Sets (Ages 11-14)

For our third installment on text sets, we turn our attention to poetry books for middle school (ages 11-14). Once again, we're looking at groups of three or more poetry books by the same poet that focus on a single topic or theme and are formatted to be very similar in design and appearance. This helps in guiding discussion, comparison, and analysis and can help pinpoint the use of poetic voice, stylistic choices, etc. Poets in this group include: Margarita Engle, Marilyn Singer, Paul Fleischman, Charles R. Smith, Jr., Sara Holbrook, Valerie Worth, James Stevenson, and Carmen T. Bernier-Grand. Topics include:
*Historical novels in verse set in Cuba
*Earth, water, and fire
*Poetry for reading aloud with multiple voices
*Basketball
*About middle school angst
*Free verse poem collections
*Poetic memoirs
*Biographical poetry

Just a reminder that this list is drawn from my new resource book, The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists. For more information, go here.

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL (ages 11-14)

Historical novels in verse set in Cuba
Engle, Margarita. 2006. The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. New York: Holt.
Engle, Margarita. 2008. The Surrender Tree. New York: Holt.
Engle, Margarita. 2009. Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba. New York: Holt.
Engle, Margarita. 2010. The Firefly Letters; A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba. New York: Henry Holt.
Engle, Margarita. 2011. Hurricane Dancers; The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck. New York: Henry Holt.

Earth, water, and fire
Singer, Marilyn. 2002. Footprints on the Roof: Poems about the Earth. New York: Knopf.
Singer, Marilyn. 2003. How to Cross a Pond: Poems about Water. New York: Knopf.
Singer, Marilyn. 2005. Central Heating: Poems about Fire and Warmth. New York: Knopf.

For reading aloud with multiple voices
Fleishman, Paul. 1985. I Am Phoenix: Poems for Two Voices. New York: Harper & Row.
Fleishman, Paul. 1988. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. New York: Harper & Row.
Fleishman, Paul. 2000. Big Talk:  Poems for Four Voices. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Basketball
Smith, Charles R. Jr. 1999. Rimshots; Basketball Pix, Rolls, and Rhythms. New York: Dutton.
Smith, Charles R. Jr. 2001. Short Takes: Fast-Break Basketball Poetry. New York: Dutton.
Smith, Charles R. Jr. 2003. Hoop Queens. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Smith, Charles R. Jr. 2004. Hoop Kings. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

About middle school angst
Holbrook, Sara. 1996. Am I Naturally This Crazy? Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.
Holbrook, Sara. 1996. I Never Said I Wasn’t Difficult. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.
Holbrook, Sara. 1996. The Dog Ate My Homework. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.
Holbrook, Sara. 1996. Which Way to the Dragon! Poems for the Coming-on-strong.  Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.

Free verse poem collections
Worth, Valerie. 1972. Small Poems. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Worth, Valerie. 1976. More Small Poems. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Worth, Valerie. 1978. Still More Small Poems. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Worth, Valerie. 1985. Small Poems Again. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Worth, Valerie. 1994. All the Small Poems and Fourteen More. New York: Farrar,

Poetic memoirs
Stevenson, James. 1995. Sweet Corn: Poems. New York: Greenwillow.
Stevenson, James. 1998. Popcorn: Poems. New York: Greenwillow.
Stevenson, James. 2002. Corn-Fed: Poems. New York: Greenwillow.
Stevenson, James. 2003. Corn Chowder: Poems. New York: Greenwillow.

Biographical poetry
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. 2006. César; ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We can! New York: Marshall Cavendish.
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. 2007. Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life! New York: Marshall Cavendish.
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. 2009. Diego; Bigger Than Life.  New York: Marshall Cavendish.

If you know of other sets that are ideal for middle school, please let me know.

One other note-- I probably get more requests for poetry help from middle school teachers and librarians than from any other group. GOOD NEWS: Janet (Wong) and I are already working on a middle school version of our new book, The Poetry Friday Anthology. We hope to publish that in the spring. Stay tuned for details.

Meanwhile, head on over to Teacher Dance here for more Poetry Friday fun. 



Posting by Sylvia M. Vardell © 2012. All rights reserved.

Poetry Text Sets (Ages 5-12)

Here is the second installment of my list of "text sets" from my resource book, The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists.  “Text sets” of books linked in some way can prompt lessons of compare/contrast and discussion of poetic voice, stylistic choices, etc. The following sets are ideal for children ages 5-12, but can certainly crossover to other ages. Each mini set includes 3 or more poetry books authored by one poet, focused on a single topic or theme, and formatted to be very similar in design and appearance. This aids in guiding discussion, comparison, and analysis. This focus on a single poet or anthologist offers the opportunity to talk about the writer's voice and how you recognize his or her distinctive style across multiple books. So many possibilities for exploration and fun. And for more about my LIST book, go here.

FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN (ages 5-12)

The Shel Silverstein set
Silverstein, Shel. 1974. Where the Sidewalk Ends. New York: Harper and Row.
Silverstein, Shel. 1981. A Light in the Attic. New York: Harper & Row.
Silverstein, Shel. 1996. Falling Up. New York: HarperCollins.
Silverstein, Shel. 2011. Every Thing On It. HarperCollins.

The Jack Prelutsky set
Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. The New Kid on the Block. New York: Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, Jack. 1990. Something Big Has Been Here. New York: Scholastic.
Prelutsky, Jack. 1996. A Pizza the Size of the Sun. New York: Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, Jack. 2000. It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles. New York: Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, Jack. 2008. My Dog May Be a Genius. New York: Greenwillow.

School poetry
Dakos, Kalli. 1990. If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems about School.  New York: Four Winds Press.
Dakos, Kalli. 1993. Don't Read This Book Whatever You Do!: More Poems about School. New York: Trumpet Club.
Dakos, Kalli. 1995. Mrs. Cole on an Onion Roll and Other School Poems. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Dakos, Kalli. 1996. The Goof Who Invented Homework and Other School Poems. New York: Dial.
Dakos, Kalli. 1999. The Bug in Teacher’s Coffee. New York: HarperCollins.
Dakos, Kalli. 2003. Put Your Eyes Up Here: And Other School Poems. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Dakos, Kalli. 2011. A Funeral in the Bathroom and Other School Bathroom Poems. Albert Whitman.

Humor and nonsense
Brown, Calef. 1998. Polkabats and Octopus Slacks: 14 Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 
Brown, Calef. 2000. Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers: 14 More Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2006. Flamingos on the Roof. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Brown, Calef. 2008. Soup For Breakfast. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Identity and friendship
Grimes, Nikki. 1994. Meet Danitra Brown. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.
Grimes, Nikki. 2002. Danitra Brown Leaves Town. New York: HarperCollins.
Grimes, Nikki. 2005. Danitra Brown, Class Clown. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.

Poems and quilts
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. 2005. Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts. New York: Greenwillow.
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. 2011. Peaceful Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts. New York: Greenwillow.
Hines, Anna Grossnicle. 2001. Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts. New York: Greenwillow.

The seasons (bilingual Spanish/English)
Alarcón, Francisco X. 1997. Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems/Jitomates Risuenos y Otros Poemas de Primavera. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.
Alarcón, Francisco X. 1998. From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems/Del Ombligo de la Luna y Otros Poemas de Verano. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press.
Alarcón, Francisco X. 1999. Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.
Alarcón, Francisco X. 2001. Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems/ Iguanas en la Nieve y Otros Poemas de Invierno. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

More seasonal poems
Schnur, Steven. 1997. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.
Schnur, Steven. 1999. Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.
Schnur, Steven. 2001. Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.
Schnur, Steven. 2002. Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.

Holiday poems
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1985. Easter Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1985. Thanksgiving Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1986. Poems for the Jewish Holidays. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1987. Valentine Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1988. Poems for Mothers. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1989. Halloween Poems. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. 1985. Celebrations. New York: Holiday House.
Livingston, Myra Cohn. 1989. Birthday Poems. New York: Holiday House.

Food poetry (bilingual Spanish/English)
Argueta, Jorge. 2009. Sopa de frijoles/ Bean Soup. Ill. by Rafael Yockteng. Toronto, ON: Groundwood.
Argueta, Jorge. 2010. Arroz con leche; Rice Pudding. Ill. by Fernando Vilela. Toronto, ON: Groundwood.
Argueta, Jorge. 2012. Guacamole; Un poema para cocinar/ A Cooking Poem. Ill. by Margarita Sada. Groundwood.

Animals
Florian, Douglas. 1996. On the Wing: Bird Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 1997. In the Swim: Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 1998. Insectlopedia: Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 2000. Mammalabilia: Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Florian, Douglas. 2001. Bow Wow Meow Meow. San Diego: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2003. Lizard, Frogs, and Polliwogs. San Diego: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2004. Omnibeasts. San Diego: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2005. Zoo’s Who. San Diego, CA: Harcourt.
Florian, Douglas. 2009. Dinothesaurus. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Birds
Yolen, Jane. 2002. Wild Wings: Poems for Young People. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
Yolen, Jane. 2004. Fine Feathered Friends: Poems for Young People. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
Yolen, Jane. 2010. An Egret’s Day. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
Yolen, Jane. 2011. Birds of a Feather. Ill. by Jason Stemple. Boyds Mills Press.

Ecosystem poems
Sidman, Joyce. 2005. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Ill. By Beckie Prange. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, Joyce. 2006. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. Ill. by Beth Krommes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, Joyce. 2010. Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. Ill. by Rick Allen. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

U.S. history and poetry
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 1994. Hand in Hand: An American History through Poetry.  New York: Simon & Schuster. 
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 1999. Lives: Poems about Famous Americans. New York: HarperCollins.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2008. Ed. America at War. New York: McElderry.

Famous historical figures
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Vherses: A Celebration of Outstanding Women. Mankato, MN: Creative Editions.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Heroes and She-Roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes. New York: Dial.
Lewis, J. Patrick.  2000. Freedom Like Sunlight: Praisesongs for Black Americans. Mankato, MN: Creative Editions.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders. San Francisco: Chronicle.

Poems of place
Siebert, Diane. 1988. Mojave. New York: Crowell.
Siebert, Diane. 1989. Heartland. New York: Crowell.
Siebert, Diane. 1991. Sierra. New York: HarperCollins.
Siebert, Diane. 2000. Cave. New York: HarperCollins.

Native American perspectives
Bruchac, Joseph. 1992.  Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back: A Native American Year of Moons. New York: Philomel Books.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1995. The Earth under Sky Bear's Feet: Native American Poems of the Land. New York: Philomel Books.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1996. Between Earth and Sky:  Legends of Native American Sacred Places. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.

Poems and music
Myers, Walter Dean. 1997. Harlem: A Poem. New York: Scholastic.
Myers, Walter Dean. 2003. Blues Journey. New York: Holiday House.
Myers, Walter Dean. 2006. Jazz. Ill. by Christopher Myers. New York: Holiday House.

Poem riddles
Lewis, J. Patrick. 1996. Riddle-icious. New York: Scholastic.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 1998. Riddle-Lightful: Oodles of Little Riddle-Poems. Knopf.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2004. Scientrickery: Riddles in Science. San Diego: Harcourt.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2009. Spot the Plot! A Riddle Book of Book Riddles. San Francisco: Chronicle.

Poem forms
Janeczko, Paul B. Ed. 2001. A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Janeczko, Paul B.. Ed. 2005. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Janeczko, Paul. 2009. A Foot in the Mouth; Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout. Ill. by Chris Raschka. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Poetry e-books
Vardell, Sylvia and Wong, Janet. Eds. 2011. P*TAG. PoetryTagTime.
Vardell, Sylvia and Wong, Janet. Eds. 2011. PoetryTagTime. PoetryTagTime
Vardell, Sylvia and Wong, Janet. Eds. 2011. Gift Tag. PoetryTagTime.

Poems with audio CDs of poets reading
Giovanni, Nikki. Coll. 2008. Hip Hop Speaks to Children. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.
Paschen, Elise and Raccah, Dominique. Ed. 2005. Poetry Speaks to Children. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.
Paschen, Elise and Raccah, Dominique. Ed. 2010. Poetry Speaks; Who I Am. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.

Are there any poetry text sets that I have missed that you have found meaningful for sharing with students at the elementary level (ages 5-12)?

I'll be sharing similar lists for middle school and high school in the next two weeks. Stay tuned.

Join the rest of the Poetry Friday gathering hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem here.


Copyright Sylvia M. Vardell 2012. All rights reserved. 

Poetry Text Sets

Once we get comfortable sharing poetry with young people, it can be especially meaningful to share SETS of poetry books gathered around similarities. Such “text sets” can prompt lessons of compare/contrast and discussion of poetic voice, stylistic choices, etc. This is emerging as a very popular approach for infusing poetry throughout the reading/language arts curriculum and for addressing the new Common Core standards.

In my recent Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists, I have gathered lists of poetry text sets in four categories: for very young children (ages 0-5), for elementary aged children (ages 5-12), for middle school (ages 11-14), and for young adults (ages 13 and up). However, these are general recommendations based on overall readability and appeal. These poetry selections are certainly suitable for a much wider age range. Each mini set includes 3 or more poetry books authored by one poet, focused on a single topic or theme, and formatted to be very similar in design and appearance. This aids in guiding discussion, comparison, and analysis.

I'll share these lists in installments for ease of access. So, here are the poetry text sets I would recommend for sharing with very young children. Please let me know if you have other favorites that I should add.

FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN (ages 0-5)

Folk-based rhymes (bilingual Spanish/English)
Ada, Alma Flor and Campoy, Isabel. 2010. Muu, Moo! Rimas de animales/Animal Nursery Rhymes. Rayo/HarperCollins.
Ada, Alma Flor, and Isabel Campoy. Ed. 2003. Pio Peep! Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes. New York: HarperCollins.
Ada, Alma Flor and Campoy, F. Isabel. 2011. Ten Little Puppies; Diez perritos. Rayo/HarperCollins.

Song-based rhymes (bilingual Spanish/English)
Delacre, Lulu. Ed. 1992. Arroz con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America. New York: Scholastic.
Delacre, Lulu. Ed. 1992. Las Navidades: Popular Christmas Songs from Latin America. New York: Scholastic.
Delacre, Lulu. 2004. Arrorró Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games. New York: Scholastic.

Folk songs and fingerplays (bilingual Spanish/English)
Orozco, José Luis. 2002. Diez Deditos: Ten Little Fingers and Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs from Latin America. New York: Dutton.
Orozco, José Luis.1994. Fiestas: A Year of Latin American Songs of Celebration. New York: Dutton.
Orozco, Jose-Luis. 1994. De Colores and Other Latin-American Folk Songs for Children. New York: Dutton.

Animal rhymes
Elliott, David. 2008. On the Farm. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Elliott, David. 2010. In the Wild. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Elliott, David. 2012. In the Sea. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Poems to read aloud with a parent/adult
Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2001. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You; Very Short Stories to Read Together. Ill. by Michael Emberley. Boston: Little, Brown.
Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2004. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You; Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together. Ill. by Michael Emberley. Boston: Little, Brown.
Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2005. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You; Very Short Mother Goose Tales to Read Together. Ill. by Michael Emberley. Boston: Little, Brown.
Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2007. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You; Very Short Scary Tales to Read Together. Ill. by Michael Emberley. Boston: Little, Brown.

Any other groupings of poetry books that you find particularly effective for sharing with young children? Or favorite activities? I welcome suggestions!

Join the rest of the Poetry Friday fun at Teaching Young Writers. See you there!

Halloween poetry

It's October and I hope to get my Halloween decorations out this weekend. I just love the big, round pumpkins and even the jangling skeletons and spooky black cats. But mostly, I have always loved planning the costumes for trick-or-treating and had so much fun helping my kids create whatever they could imagine-- my daughter has been a pioneer girl, a flapper, Jane Austen, Princess Leia, and an elephant (a two-person endeavor with a friend) and my son has been Luke Skywalker, a vampire, a hobo, a Ninja Turtle, and various X-Men. We would work all month to decide on our "character" and make the outfit ourselves. Good times! I don't have many occasions for costumes nowadays (although I do like wearing my crazy colored tights any day!), but I love seeing the children in their costumes when they come to trick or treat at my door.

I know Halloween is a bit more problematic these days, particularly in the schools, with a shift to focusing on "harvest festivals" or autumn celebrations. We're anxious about going door to door with children at night or encouraging candy fests in favor of healthy snacks. And we don't want to scare kids with ghosts and horror. I understand. There are some unsavory elements to Halloween (part of its appeal) and better minds than mine have analyzed the religious, psychological, and sociological implications of this "holiday." But if you're nostalgic about Halloween and enjoy some of its traditions, you may surprised to learn that many poets have explored this topic too. In fact, I think there are more poetry books about Halloween (and autumn) than any other holiday or season, with the exception of Christmas (and winter holidays). Obviously, something about this "dark" holiday has been compelling for a long time!

Enough of my philosophizing and reminiscing. Time to share my list of Halloween-themed poetry taken from my recent book, The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists. Hope you find it useful-- and please let me know if I've omitted any of your favorites.

Poetry Books for Halloween

Halloween is a popular topic for poetry books for young people, along with a look at fall and autumn seasonal changes. Here is just a sampling.

1. Alarcón, Francisco X. 1999. Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.
2. Brown, Calef. 2010. Hallowilloween: Nefarious Silliness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
3. sDahl, Roald. 2005. Vile Verses. New York: Viking.
4. Farrar, Sid. 2012. The Year Comes Round: Haiku Through the Seasons. Ill. by Ilse Plume. Chicago: Whitman.
5. Florian, Douglas. 1993. Monster Motel: Poems and Paintings. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
6. Florian, Douglas. 2003. Autumnblings: Poems & Paintings. New York: Greenwillow.
7. Frank, John. 2003. A Chill in the Air: Nature Poems for Fall and Winter. New York: Simon & Schuster.
8. Ghigna, Charles. 2003. Halloween Night: Twenty-One Spooktacular Poems. Philadelphia: Running Kids Press.
9. Gibbs, Susie. Ed. 2003. Poems to Make Your Friends Scream!. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
10. Gibbs, Susie. Ed. 2007. Scary Poems to Make You Shiver. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
11. Gibbs, Susie. Ed. 2006. Revolting Poems to Make you Squirm. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
12. Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 2005. Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More. New York: Greenwillow.
13. Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2006. Halloween Howls; An I Can Read Book. New York: HarperCollins.
14. Hopkins, Lee. Bennett  Ed. 2010. Sharing the Seasons. Margaret McElderry.
15. Katz, Bobbi. 2009. The Monsterologist; A Memoir in Rhyme. Ill. by Adam McCauley. New York: Sterling.
16. Kutner, Merrily. 2007. The Zombie Nite Café. Ill. by Ethan Long. Holiday House.
17. Lewis, J. Patrick. 2009. Countdown to Summer: 180 Poems for Every Day of the School Year. New York: Little, Brown.
18. Livingston, Myra Cohn. Ed. 1989. Halloween Poems. New York: Holiday House.
19. McNaughton, Colin. 2002. Making Friends with Frankenstein. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
20. Mecum, Ryan. 2008. Zombie Haiku. Cincinnati, OH: How Books.
21. Mecum, Ryan. 2009. Vampire Haiku. Cincinnati, OH: How Books.
22. Merriam, Eve. 2002. Spooky A B C. New York: Simon & Schuster.
23. Moore, Lilian. 1973. Spooky Rhymes and Riddles. New York: Scholastic.
24. Mordhorst, Heidi. 2009. Pumpkin Butterfly; Poems from the Other Side of Nature. Honesdale PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
25. Neugebauer, Charise. 2002. Halloween Circus. New York: NorthSouth Books.
26. Prelutsky, Jack. 1976. Nightmares:  Poems to Trouble Your Sleep. New York: Greenwillow. Reprinted, New York: Mulberry Books, 1993.
27. Prelutsky, Jack. 1977. It’s Halloween. New York: Greenwillow.
28. Rex, Adam. 2006. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. San Diego, CA: Harcourt.
29. Rex, Adam. 2008. Frankenstein Takes the Cake. New York: Harcourt Houghton Mifflin.
30. Rogasky, Barbara. Ed. 2001. Leaf by Leaf. New York: Scholastic.
31. Salas, Laura Purdie. 2008. Shrinking Days, Frosty Nights: Poems About Fall. Minneapolis, MN: Capstone.
32. Sierra, Judy. 2005. Gruesome Guide to World Monsters. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
33. Rogasky, Barbara. Ed. 2001. Leaf by Leaf. New York: Scholastic.
34. Schnur, Steven. 1997. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. New York: Clarion.
35. Sierra, Judy. 2008. Beastly Rhymes to Read After Dark. Ill. by Brian Biggs. New York: Knopf.
36. Singer, Marilyn. 2001. Monster Museum. New York: Hyperion.
37. Singer, Marilyn. 2004. Creature Carnival. New York: Hyperion.
38. Sklanksy, Amy E. 2004. Skeleton Bones & Goblin Groans: Poems for Halloween. New York: Henry Holt .
39. Swaim, Jessica. 2010. Scarum Fair. Ill. by Carol Ashley. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
40. Whitehead, Jenny. 2007. Holiday Stew; A Kid’s Portion of Holiday and Seasonal Poems. New York: Henry Holt.

If you like this list, you'll find even more lists in my Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists, including a list of poetry books about monsters, poetry books about superstitions, beliefs, luck, magic, dreams, and nightmares, poetry books about cats, poetry books about weather, poetry books for Thanksgiving, poetry books for Hanukkah, poetry books for Christmas, and a list of versions of "The Night Before Christmas." Check it out here and there's more info about the book and ALL the lists here. A recent review in IRA's Reading Today noted, "If you are looking for one book to help improve your teaching of poetry, then this is the one for you! This book is a treasure trove.... It would be hard to imagine a better resource for teachers and librarians. Anyone anxious about including poetry in the classroom will have all fears alleviated by this thorough book."

And the lovely Laura Purdie Salas is hosting Poetry Friday today. Join her at Writing the World for Kids. See you there!



Posting by Sylvia M. Vardell © 2012. All rights reserved.