Lynn's Review of 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East

Naomi Shihab Nye goes back to her cultural roots with this collection of poems in 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East. As an Arab American, her struggles with the political and emotional effects of war are prevalent throughout the collection. She gives her perspective from the Middle East through her experiences growing up and visiting with family there.

Honestly, a lot of the poetry in this collection was difficult for me to understand, but I appreciated what I learned about Middle Eastern beliefs and traditions. Still, there were references that were incomprehensible to me due to my lack of experience and knowledge of the Middle East.

After reading Nye's poetry, I do feel as if I've literally had a taste of the Middle East. As our pecans or peaches influence our life here in Texas, the presence of fig trees, olives, and almonds provide a taste of Nye's homeland to readers. In Olive Jar, we are invited to an Arab kitchen on the West Bank, in the village of almonds and olives. As a guest, we are at the family meal where olives are the center of every table. As with many families, it seems as though the time spent around the table is a peaceful time that is cherished. Nye also uses olive as irony in the poem, Passing the Refugee Camp. Olives are a symbol of peace and are native to the Middle East; however, olive is also used to describe the color of American soldiers' uniforms, suggesting war and unrest.

Something I admire about Naomi Shihab Nye's writing is that it is so accessible and honest. She writes simply about things that she knows and loves, and makes you think that it is possible for you to put your own thoughts and feelings into your own poetry as well. She writes about what she is passionate about. Her vision of peace is very clear, as well as admirable, and reminds us all that it is the true meaning of what we all seek. In How Long Peace Takes, Nye gives analogies as to how much time we must wait for peace. So how long does peace take? Nye answers, "As long as the question - what if I were you? - has two heads." Hmm, it really makes you think about considering others' perspectives.

Lynn's Review of A Maze Me

This is a collection of poems by Naomi Shihab Nye that is especially relatable to middle school girls. As the title suggests, Nye's voice seems to challenge others to see what it's like to be a girl transitioning from childhood into adulthood. The journey is complex and confusing, much like a maze. It is also rewarding and simply, well....amazing. Nye recalls her own transitional years in Texas as she writes about "Visiting My Old Kindergarten Teacher" on the last day of school and recalling her own "self-portraits with hats" that these students are now taking home. Likewise, she writes about day to day concerns for a teenage girl like what it is like "In the School Cafeteria." As you search for your friends to sit and eat lunch with, "your face makes me feel like a lighthouse beaming across waves." Nye's advice to young girls permeates in poems such as "Feeling Wise." She says, "It is not so hard to feel wise. Just think of something dumb you could say, then don't say it." Nye's poetry is simple and accessible to readers. Middle school girls will gravitate to her perspective, as it is true and honest.

Nye's poetry is relatable even to a thirty-something like me. One thing I've found as I grow older is that I have more and more to reflect upon in my life. One of my favorite poems in this book was "Baby-sitting Should Not be Called...sitting." I could relate to her thoughts of irony of the word as she chases, bends, amuses, and everything else except for sitting. Having babysitting jobs growing up, I can attest to the fact that it is not as easy as perceived. I got quite the workout babysitting younger children, and it taught me to appreciate those who teach and care for young children. This challenge led me to the profession that I have today working with early childhood students and educators.

In "Abandoned Post Office, Big Bend," I am reminded of the changes that technology has brought and the effects that follow. Nye writes, "Forty years ago this postal window far far far from any city closed for good," just like the post office in my community did just last year. As a teenage girl, I remember writing letters to soldiers oversees in the Gulf War. For this generation of teenage girls, skype, email, and texting, are all available. The need for communication is still the same, but the method has definitely changed.

Lynn's Review of Honeybee

This collection of poetry is authored by Naomi Shihab Nye. It illustrates the relation of everyday life to that of a honeybee throughout the book. She introduces the book by explaining her extensive studying of honeybees and continues the analogy as her words parallel how the honeybee and human survive, work, dance, communicate, and cooperate in their own worlds. Her voice is very powerful throughout, as is evident in "The Cost." She illustrates our sad state of education as she speaks candidly of school librarians and counselors being fired (in San Antonio) for lack of funding.

Her opinion of war is also ever present in her poetry. She gives the perspective as an American and of Middle Eastern descent as well as the influences and consequences that there are for both. She criticizes our society as peacemakers preparing our students with "everything you need to know...then place a gun in your hands." As strong as her opinion is, I still believe that there are things that are worth fighting for. It seems so simple when she voices her opinion in her writing, and I wish it could be as simple as talking it over. However, it reminds me that it takes two sides to compromise.

I love that Naomi Shihab Nye writes about Texas. One of my favorite references was her description of subdivisions as "big mistakes slapped up outside towns" (from Driving to Abilene in the Pouring Rain). As a Texan, I feel lucky to live in the wide open spaces and enjoy nature and animals out in the country.

A favorite quote of mine this week comes directly from this poetry collection. Naomi says, "If someone gives you trouble, remember your best self" (from Our Best Selves). What great advice to pass on to others!

Lynn's Review of Salting the Ocean

My cat died -


And I cried.





That's about the extent of my talent for writing poetry. I could have definitely used the guidance of Naomi Shihab Nye, as she describes working with hundreds of students in the writers in schools project for the past 25 years. The result of her teachings and influence have produced the poetry illustrated in Salting the Ocean. The poems are thoughtfully selected and the inspiration of this award-winning writer is evident as she describes poetry as the "one true word" and "the spark that links us." In each individual poem, the reader has the sense that Naomi Shihab Nye has influenced students' poetry writing as "making a map of the days you live." This collection captures the perspectives of these young writers and allows for the reader to reflect into one's own life experiences. The simple language and pattern, along with Naomi Shihab Nye's motivational words in the introduction and afterword, make poetry writing accessible and is an encouragement for everyone to write poetry.


A couple of the poems really hit home for me, like Monday Mornings. I'm sure I'm not the only one that can relate to the line "On Monday mornings I feel like a miserable mouse, more miserable than a monkey on Monday mornings." One of my favorites, Cabbage, compares the unfolding of cabbage leaves to humans as they open up to the world. This poem seemed very appropriate to introduce the book as an example to open up the reader's mind to the perspectives of what younger generations have to say. But the one that evoked the most emotion in me was the poem, What Happened to my Cat? I asked the same question a week ago as my cat did not show up by the doorstep as usual. I feel the sadness in her words, "I miss his sweet face/ I miss stroking his soft fur/ he was like a cloud in the sky, and like a cloud in the sky, he has floated away." I miss my cat too.

Reese's Review of Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

John Newbery Medal

                Written as a collection of monologues (with a few dialogues) from characters within a medieval village, this book offers unique perspectives and glimpses into the lives of those in that time period.  I loved the fact that I was able to see into the lives of those from differing lifestyles, and I enjoyed the brief, periodic background essays which added to my understanding.  Several key features of this book drew me in such as in the beginning where I could search the map to find each character within the overview of the village and the side notes on each monologue which footnoted information important for my understanding.  I found myself reminded of how the human condition (self-awareness, jealousy, love of parent, conflict, class systems) is more similar today to that of medieval times that one might at first assume. I look forward to sharing this unique collection of viewpoints with others in the future and to sitting back down with a cup of tea or two to enjoy it again.

Schlitz, L.A. (2007). Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village.

           Cambridge: Candlewick Press.

Reese's Review of Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Coretta Scott King Award Winner

Caldecott Honor Book

                Beauty of artistry, beauty of words, and beauty of theme all are traits which place this book in my favorites list.  From the moment I laid eyes on the cover and the intense look of concentration on the face of Dave the Potter as he worked the clay pot, I fell for this book.  Detail after artistic detail - pages which have a worn scrapbook-like edging, dark earth-toned paintings, images which glimpse the slave life – draws the reader into the poetic story and adds depth to the already moving story. I was surprised by the foldout in the idle of the book and almost missed it as it blended in so well.  I am glad I didn’t, or I would have missed the beauty of the change from lump of clay to full fledge pot.  The subtle symbolism of the story comes through in both words and illustrations.  The addition of the background history of Dave the Potter with the inclusion of some of his verses along with the story of how the book was conceived appealed to me.  I have always enjoyed art and particularly pottery.  The book reawakened an itch to spend time throwing a pot on a wheel soon.

Hill, L. C. (2010). Dave the potter: artist, poet, slave. New York: Little, Brown, and Company.