POETRY

"I can tell a lot by / the way a door closes."

 

       This book of poetry contains narrative, character development, and plot. The poems reads like poetry, but story resembles prose. The story and struggle C.J. experiences can be used to build comprehension of literature. Some students may find reading and identifying plot, setting, and events of the story through the direct, yet descriptive way Hope Anita Smith writes her poetry.

 

        Poetry is a vessel in which difficult topics can be easily expressed. C.J.'s story is one that students may relate to. Part of understanding texts is making text-to-self connects that helps build insight into characters. This story offers many poems written about different issues or events that C.J. experiences before his father leave, as well as after. The collection of experiences offer many opportunities for students to find connections to their own lives and reflect on the issues of the text. Smith's poetry also offers teachers the opportunity to apply readers theater and other forms of oral performance into the curriculum.

 

        Finally, C.J.'s voice offers an new persepective in poetry; one of a teenage, African American boy who faces hardship, both within his family, but also culturally. Poetry has a large, significant history attached to the genre, espcially within the context of African American poetry. Langston Hughes, Robert Hayden, and Alice Walker are just some African American poets that write about adversity and difficulties that African Americans face. Smith's book follows in this tradtions. African Americans have alway had a significant voice within the genre of poetry that should never be overlooked. C.J.s voice and the writing of Hope Anita Smith are a perfect way to integrate African America poetry into elementary school curriculum.