Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems [Hardcover]

John Grandits (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

An eleven-year-old boy named Robert voices typical—and not so typical—middle-grade concerns in this unique, memorable collection of hilarious poems. His musings cover the usual stuff, like pizza, homework, thank-you notes, and his annoying older sister. In addition, he speculates about professional wrestling for animals, wonders why no one makes scratch-and-sniff fart stickers, designs the ultimate roller coaster (complete with poisonous spiders), and deconstructs the origins of a new word, snarpy. A playful layout and ingenious graphics extend the wry humor that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 4-8–Grandits combines technical brilliance and goofy good humor to provide an accessible, fun-filled collection of poems, dramatically brought to life through a brilliant book design. The eye-catching title selection, an account of a science experiment gone astray, appears on the front cover and its messy aftermath, a squashed tomato, winds up on the back. Simple drawings, varied typefaces, unusual arrangements of text, and different colors are used to call attention to the words. Grandits crafts an 11-year-old protagonist, Robert, whose perspective throughout is authentically adolescent. He is both immature and intelligent, and delights in all things gross as can be seen in such offerings as "The Autobiography of Murray the Fart," "Spew Machine," and "Sick Day." "TyrannosaurBus Rex" features a predatory cartoon school bus munching its way along its route: "More children. More sacrifices./Yum." This book doesn't reach the masterful collaboration of Paul B. Janeczko and Chris Raschka's A Poke in the I (Candlewick, 2001), but most readers will still love it.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Grandits stretches the definition of concrete poetry in this collection, which uses inventive shapes and typefaces to hilarious effect. Each selection is loosely tied to Robert, a kid with ordinary concerns: homework is boring; he would like a new pet; he is crushed when he misses his lay-up in basketball. But Grandits finds wild humor in such things, and the resulting poems will make most kids howl with recognition. There's the pious thank-you letter to an aunt that comes with truthful footnotes: "In the history of sweaters, there has never been an uglier waste of yarn." Then there's the arc of text describing Robert's rocket, constructed from his sister's algebra homework, which showers numbers and mathematical symbols as the explosion hits. "The Autobiography of Murray the Fart," written in lines that flow from a soda can-shaped block to a thin line that turns into intestinelike loops, will, like the other selections in this winning, highly creative collection, convince readers that poetry can be loud, outrageous, gross fun. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; New title edition (October 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061842833X
• ISBN-13: 978-0618428335
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Humorous

More About the Author

John Grandits is a poet, typographer, art director, designer, & writer. He's written cartoons, articles, humor pieces, fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. In his previous life he was associated with a number of juvenile publishing ventures including Cricket, Muse, and Click magazines, Crown Books for Children and Random House. He has also art directed adult trade and children's textbooks. For a short time he was owner and publisher of a film and video review magazine. He has written and designed books, book jackets & covers, brochures, advertisements, periodicals, record jackets, corporate logos (although he hated doing it), posters and, of course, poems. He loves visiting schools and libraries to read his poems and stories. Home is Red Bank, NJ where he lives with his wife and two very, very silly kittens.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a GREAT book!, December 5, 2004

By 

Thomas W. Jones (Eatontown, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems (Paperback)

My kids grew up reading "Where the sidewalk ends", by Shel Silverstein. Anyone who enjoyed that book will love "Technically, It's Not My Fault"! It's absolutely amazing! John has crafted some of the wittiest poems into the cutiest "concrete forms" imaginable. You have to see them to appreciate them. Don't think poetry. Think more like an ornery 11 year old boy's view of the world! Considering the low price on this book, there's no excuse for any child growing up to not have this book! Buy it. You won't regret it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good poetry book for young kids., November 11, 2006

By 

J. M. Freeman "fellow" (Red Bank, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems (Hardcover)

I got this for my son, and he enjoys its offbeat teenage humor. I enjoy that he is seeing reading and writing presented in a different way.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars funny and smart and true., November 30, 2004

By 

Sharyn November (new york city) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems (Paperback)

I love this book -- not only is it funny and totally nails the 11-year-old boy experience, it is also in a format (concrete poetry) that is user-friendly and may well encourage readers to write concrete poems of their own.

I gave away my copy and now need to buy another one!