Customer Reviews

A Fury of Motion: Poems for Boys

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Most boys don't like poetry unless it's Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky so Ghighna has a tough task to get into the kid's backpacks, but this little book might just do the trick. Kids might also want to try their hand at writing their OWN poems based on the titles of these poems, as well as enjoying the poems themselves. For older boys, tougher boys, after this book is devoured, I'd also get them reading Jimmy Santiago Baca or Jason Yurcic's collections as a start on poetry-as-language-of-the-heart without the pink froth and lace.

Don't let the size or cost of this little treasure fool you. Between the covers there is a variety of poetry that would be readable to the most reluctant male readers. Goofy, fun, depressing, shocking... there is a range of emotional responses for readers here that is rare for such a small volume by one author. I had read a previous customer review on this site and almost didn't read this book because of the negativity. All I can say is that she must have been female. As an educator of 33 years who is vitally concerned about the growing gender gap in boys' literacy in our schools, I am glad that I did. This slim volume certainly carries with it keys that could unlock a boy's mind to the possibilities of the written (and spoken) word. A "must-have" for English teachers in the 5-7th grade range, or for any parent who would like his/her son to experience really accessible poetry.

I purchased this book as a I began preparing a unit on poetry. I noticed that most of my books had very little that would interest any of my male students. The selections in this book are too cliche. It seems as though the author thought boys don't like poetry so lets compile a bunch of very short, simple poems that pertain to male topics like sports, little sisters, and not liking homework and then they'll read it. The poetry has little to no thought in it. At least they could be humourous, but they're not even that. I Never Said I Wasn't Difficult by Sara Holbrook or various other titles by Sara Holbrook would be much better choices.

*Mr. Charles Ghigna and the Random House Company have been very accomodating to me and I appreciate their excellent customer service. The very graciously returned the book.