Sketches From a Spy Tree [Hardcover]

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer (Author), Andrew Glass (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2005 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Perched in the branches of her favorite tree with her sketchbook, Anne-Marie watches the world go by. While recording her observations of neighbors, friends, and family, she thinks about her father, who left two years before; about Mike, who seems to be trying to take his place; about her twin sister, Mary Anne, who looks like her (at least to adults) but sees things very differently. Poems in Anne-Marie’s voice, sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, and always honest, take readers through a year of change in the life of a family and in Anne-Marie’s heart. Illustrations that include paintings, drawings, and collage capture the text’s emotional range and Anne-Marie’s own artistic vision.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7–In a series of remarkably candid poems, Anne Marie tells the story of her family's transition from disarray and grief to hope. In Family Portrait, she digs out an old family photograph and angrily cut[s] Dad out/with five quick snips/crumple[s] his face/like an empty gum wrapper,/which is just what he deserves/for leaving/˜my four girls'/two years ago today. The young narrator's poems reflect on her neighborhood, family, and friends, often from the security of her spy tree. There, she and her twin sister share a branch and sometimes different perspectives, particularly about their new stepfather: ˜Maybe/you could take/a chance on Mike, too./He wasn't the one/who ditched us,/you know.' The writing is lyrical yet fresh, as in this description of the cat lady who feeds cats out of her spotted hands,/a quilt of cats/folded around her legs. Glass's remarkable watercolors, sketches, photographs, and collages bring Anne Marie's experiences to life. With each turn of the page, readers encounter delightfully energized illustrations that complement the subject and mood of each poem well. Similar in tone and subject to Vera B. Williams's Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart (Greenwillow, 2001), this book would be a valuable addition to most collections.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. In a series of poems, Anne Marie sketches out her neighborhood, her family, and her story. An identical twin, she endures the usual comments and commonplace disadvantages of being a double, but she also recognizes the rewards of having a "built-in / born-in / look-alike / best friend." Together yet separate, the girls navigate their father's leaving, their mother's remarriage, and the addition of a baby sister to the family. At their best, the poems sharply bring into focus a person, a place, a thought, or a feeling. Together, they chart the shifting movements of Anne Marie's heart, reconciled over time to unwelcome changes and even, eventually, embracing them. At times Glass uses photographs and photo collage in the artwork in an unusually fresh approach to illustration, but it's his deft draftsmanship and creative use of color that give the pictures their staying power. Many of the illustrations seem to glow with infused, colored light that energizes the scenes, while a few pencil sketches bring a scene to life in gray and white. The book uses free verse and freewheeling art with distinction. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (June 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618234799
• ISBN-13: 978-0618234790
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,118,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer is an award-winning children's author who graduated from The Ohio State University and attained her master's degree at Miami. Currently, she teaches at her alma mater in the Lakota Local School District near Cincinnati, Ohio. Writing in a variety of genres from historical fiction and poetry to novels-in-verse, Tracie's six books have received critical acclaim including starred reviews as well as the Schneider Family Book Award. In addition, Tracie has created hundreds of guides for children's and young adult literature that are available for free on her blog. She has presented at NCTE, IRA and ALA as well as schools and conferences across the country inspiring teachers, librarians and students with her infectious passion for literacy.


Oddball facts/favorite things:

Someday I'll move to Brooklyn, NY or a remote Caribbean island.
Individually wrapped Ghiradelli milk chocolate caramels.
Revision over the blank page.
My first journal entry: December 24, 1978.
Buckeye football Saturdays
Movies with puffy dresses and men on moors
Louie, the world's largest collie and Mickey, the six-fingered cat
Poet: Mary Oliver
I wish I could sing, draw, or play the cello
Snow days

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant Summer Read, June 1, 2005

By 

Laura E. Handy (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sketches From a Spy Tree (Hardcover)

From family relationships to grouchy neighbors, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer has captured perfectly a child's observations of the world around her and displayed them in a beautiful collection of poetry. This is the perfect book to share with your children while sitting in the porch swing on a hot summer day. Sure to be a summer favorite!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sketches FANTASTIC, February 19, 2006

By 

Donjeana I. Delong - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sketches From a Spy Tree (Hardcover)

THIS BOOK IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY WRITTEN IN FREE VERSE. IT IS AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR EXPLORING THE LANGUAGE OF POETRY WITH SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. THE TOPIC OF DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE ARE HANDLED WITH DELICATE BUT REALISTIC IMAGES. BUY THIS BOOK!!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Rose Colored Glasses, June 2, 2005

By 

Andria (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sketches From a Spy Tree (Hardcover)

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer paints a vivid picture of how divorce can look to a child sitting within its wake. Though this story comes to life in the living color of poetry, Zimmer's clean, crisp words are easily accessible. As Anne Marie opens up and takes us by the hand into her neighborhood, Zimmer makes the reader long to linger there, to laugh and cry with each character... and cheer them all on. Bravo to this new poet with an unforgettable, original voice.
Kudos to Andrew Glass, whose vibrant paintings and collage are perfectly paired with every poem.