Thursday, July 11, 2019

Poetry Friday - Celebrating

                This week, Poetry Friday is hosted by Jone MacCulloch at her blog, DeoWriter.  Be sure to visit to see what Tabatha  at The Opposite of Indifference sent her for the Poetry Swap. You may want to stay a while!
        This past Monday, I shared I Am Someone Else, Poems About Pretending, created with poems by many poets you know by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by Chris Hsu. It's another recent book of poetry you will love.           
         Celebrating anything gives a lovely feeling, but celebrating winning the Women's World Cup has to be extraordinary, right? What an exciting time on Sunday morning (US time) and since then, too. In the midst of this celebration, I'd like to add one more, celebrating Elizabeth Steinglass' poetry book, recently out, Soccerverse


         My grandchildren have not chosen to be soccer players and have chosen other sports. However, I've spent many hours at soccer practice and games watching my son learn, then improve in the game, celebrating his first goal, watching the team itself get better and better. I enjoyed the poems Liz has written about things I remember during those years as a 'soccer mom'!

         I cannot share the whole book, but I want to. It's no surprise that it begins with "The Ball", a marvel we know is not always available to kids in need around the world, though coveted in its ability for "trapping, tapping, and spinning. Perfect for kicking, bending, and winning." as Liz writes. She manages to bring the field to life in "Instructions For The Field"  which ends with a nice reminder to "catch us when we fall". Other poems include topics like shin guards talking, one of its use and one left behind takes us to memorable goals in our minds, as "A shark,/slipping/through/ the sea,/until/she smells/opportunity." Poems fill up the book with SOCCER and I've filled this ball with a few favorite lines! 





          Twenty-two poems in thirteen forms delight in images, further enhanced by Edson Ikê's innovative illustrations, each one focusing on the poem's topic both realistically and creatively. Every player, boy or girl, knows the feeling that Liz shows in this poem's beginning: "I got too mad./I tried too hard." Edson's art of an angry bull on a pointing finger is perfect for the poem "Apology" ending with "I crossed the line./I got a card." I liked this for its brevity and remember well seeing the anger, then often the embarrassment, of getting carded. Every poem will touch soccer players' hearts. They will KNOW what Liz has written about. It's a terrific addition to poetry for kids.

          Liz writes a note at the back explaining each of the poem forms she used and adds the key to which poem is in which form. Thanks, Liz, for a beautiful book.


37 comments:

  1. Scoooooooore! I love every celebration of this book. I can't wait to get it into my student's hands. And, what a cool way to share your favorite lines. I love it! I might have to use that idea with some of my sixth & seventh graders.

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    1. Thanks, LInda. I wanted to try something a little different than sharing line after line. It was fun. Soccerverse is a gem, as I wrote, will be loved in classrooms I'm sure.

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  2. Linda, thank you so much for this fabulous review. I love the soccer ball with some of your favorite lines. ❤

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    1. You're welcome, Liz. I enjoyed your wonderful book very much.

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  3. Linda, I am celebrating the women's victory and Liz's new book today as well! Your soccer ball is just full of loveliness! It would also be fun for a classroom to have students write favorite lines on an actual soccer ball, wouldn't it?? Love that the book brought you back to your son's soccer days. xo

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    1. Terrific, I will be sure to visit to read, Irene. It's a book to savor. And writing on an actual ball would be awesome! Thank you!

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  4. Every time I read a review of this one, I want to read/own it for myself even more. I spent many years as a soccer mom, and I loved having my girl home this summer to watch World Cup games with. We have celebrated every goal and enjoyed the ride. I love the soccer ball to share favorite lines. Have you read Finding the Game by Gwendolyn Oxenham (also a documentary, Pelada)? It's the story of her three year journey around the world playing pick up games of soccer.

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    1. Hoping you can read it soon, Kay. That's terrific that you watched with your daughter. And no, I do not know 'Finding The Game', will certainly look for it! Thank you!

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  5. I sure wish my library had a copy of Soccerverse. I too spent many rainy afternoons and weekends at soccer practises and games watching my sons improve.

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    1. It's fun to hear about all you other 'soccer moms', Cheriee. I also remember very cold feet from the sidelines of a cold autumn day! Hope you can find it!

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  6. Linda B! Your review is as much of an art as the book itself ~ so full of life. It feels if you saw me at a soccer game and read me some of the poems, like an enthusiastic soccer parent! What a wonderful book, beginning with the title, and those lines on the ball... What a great idea! And I love love love Irene's idea of kids riding their favorite lines on an actual soccer ball!
    Congratulations, Liz!

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    1. ... of course I meant that those kids would write on the soccer ball, not ride it...

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    2. I understood exactly what you meant, April! Our writing sometimes gives us pause, right? Glad you enjoyed my 'telling' about Liz's lovely new book!

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  7. Linda, thank you for sharing Elizabeth's new book. Soccer IS my son's universe, so I definitely need to get this book for him. And for his coach. And teammates! What a great idea for a collection!

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    1. Oh, wow, won't it be fun for them to see and read! I hope your son especially loves it, Michelle!

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  8. I need to get this book for my girls who will be pumped over the World Cup win. So timely!

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  9. It is a terrific book, isn't it Linda?! And I love your soccer ball graphic with your favorite lines--great way to give others a feel for the contents.

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    1. Thanks, Buffy. I read it recently to my youngest granddaughter (gymnast/ballet) who then said she might like to try soccer! I think it gave her a chance to see what it was all about, plus she's been watching some of the FIFA games.

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  10. This sounds great, and what fantastic timing!

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  11. Liz's book should be part of the women's soccer team's celebration. I love what you did with the soccer ball. My favorite is the Pep Talk. Thanks for sharing your creative idea, Linda.

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    1. Thanks, Carol, each one is a new look at the topic.

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  12. Such a great way to celebrate the book! That would be really fun for students to do. A soccer ball divides so nicely, but it could work for other books, right? Like using a large bird for "Superlative Birds."

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    1. Yes, for sure. Any appropriate picture would do, Tabatha. And students could create their own, too. Thanks for the idea!

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  13. Like so many others, I love how you chose to use the soccer ball to celebrate lines from this I-can't-wait-to-have-it-in-my-hands-but-have-to-wait-til-my-school-order-comes-in book. Each review I read makes me more eager to experience the book in its entirety. Thanks!

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    1. Enjoy, Molly. It's a terrific book, made me a bit nostalgic as I read through the poems. And it was fun to fill the ball! Thanks!

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  14. I love this book so much -- can't wait to share it with my students -- and I LOVE the way you chose to share your favorite lines!

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    1. Thanks, Mary Lee. I'm sure your students will love it!

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  15. The timing of this book couldn't be more perfect, could it!? Thanks for your review and for helping to make sure we all know about a book of poetry sure to draw in new poetry fans!

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  16. What a creative way to highlight Liz's special and timely book Linda, your soccer ball is beaming with energy! I like pulling out lines to remember the book by, thanks.

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  17. Thank you for shining a spotlight on Soccerverse today, Linda. How clever of you to share your favorite lines in a soccer ball! My son played soccer for many years and would have loved this book.

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  18. Thanks so much, Heidi, Michelle, & Catherine. I hope you enjoy Liz's book when you can!

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  19. Love your review, Linda! Liz's book is a must read for all who love the game. (I have to constantly remind myself to say 'football' here in Switzerland. You get scoffed at if you call it soccer. :)

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    1. Of course you do! Soccer is relatively new in the U.S. & since we have our own 'football', there had to be some other name, right? Thanks, Bridget!

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  20. Looking forward to getting a copy of this book.

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  21. Sorry I dropped the ball and am so late to your post, Linda :( but I love your creative review! :D

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