Thursday, May 7, 2020

Poetry Friday - Sharing a Joy-filled Number

            Poetry Friday's party today is at Michelle Heidenrich Barnes' Today's Little Ditty. She has a special guest this week, Nikki Grimes, who is sharing about her new book, Southwest Sunrise, a gorgeous picture book illustrated by Wendell Minor. 


       

        I love life's serendipity. Even in this topsy-turvy world in which we now live, it happens. Irene Latham's recent poetry book published last month is titled Nine, A Book of Nonet Poems, illustrated by Amy Huntington. And, my granddaughter Imogene's birthday is July 29th, when she will be, you guessed it, NINE! Shh! Don't tell anyone that this book will be one of her birthday gifts!



           I was quite excited when I heard about Irene's new book coming out. Can you tell? So I'd like to share some of it with you in a "nine-ish" kind of way. Here are NINE things that I love about this new book: 
  1. It's emotional! Read the poems about a runt cat perhaps using up its 'Nine Lives' but being saved at last "as small hands reach, cuddle" or read "The Little Rock Nine" that remembers those brave children who arrived ready to integrate an all-white school where they symbolize "One more brick toward/equality," After, you'll know how much Irene cares about all parts of life!
  2. It's divergent! Irene has created poems that cover topics from "Dreaming with Pluto" to "Game Night". 
  3. It's frivolous! Irene takes a step back from more concrete topics to celebrate "The Poem on Page 9" - "No/poem/dazzle-shines/like this one!" And, Amy Huntington's double-page spread illustration demonstrates that frivolity with a diverse crowd gathered together by a star-studded nine.
  4. It shows potential! As readers read Irene's poems and enjoy Amy's imaginative pictures, they will begin to remember their own favorite numbers, perhaps begin writing a favorite number book of their own?
  5. It's connected! A favorite number + poem topics of science and history + art make a grand circle of friends. The poem "Apollo 9" integrates all the areas: "Spider and Gumdrop floated in space–"
  6. It's addictive! Amy takes one poem, the "Nine-Banded Armadillo" which "dances by moonlight" and places a tiny armadillo somewhere on nearly every page. I loved this added attraction and couldn't stop looking for it after I noticed.
  7. It's fictional! One can imagine a place called "Cloud Nine" and Irene's words do that for readers: "Like a bubble, you rise and rise".
  8. It's scholarly! The poem, "Nonagon" defines a shape new to readers, "Almost a decagon,/but not. Can you picture it?" The illustrations show that shape in a nest, sweetly home to robins and their babies.
  9. It's marvelous! With examples above, the fact that Irene has written nineteen nonets for this new book and Amy has included a thread throughout that follows a sister (turning nine) and her younger brother through all the nines defines a grand adventure indeed!

         Did you notice all my adjectives are nine letters? I think I've become a "nine" fan.

         At the beginning, the nonet poem form is explained and then accompanied by its own poem! Also, Irene includes notes at the back giving some extra information about the subjects of each poem! 

          Congratulations, Irene, for this new and exciting book!




33 comments:

  1. Aha! Clever you, with your nine-lettered adjectives! And what a wonderful review. I would treasure this book, by the lovely Irene. It just seems like such a joy!

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    1. Thank you, Kat. It is a wonderful book to add to your poetry collection!

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  2. Linda! I had not realized the 9 numbered words until you mentioned them, and now I am nine-i-fied with delight! Thank you for this, and happy birthday to that beautiful 9 year old. xo

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    1. You're welcome, Irene. I am so excited to give it to Imogene. It is a special book! Congratulations again!

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  3. Oh, my goodness what a wonderful and creative review! I love it. And, I think this book is going to be a hit with my middle schoolers. I'm delighted with the richness of books for older children these days. We simply have to instill and teach and show them all those wonderful things you list above. Thank you for such a

    1. fun
    2. smart
    3. creative
    4. heartfelt
    5. surprising
    6. detailed
    7. reader-loving
    8. rousing
    9. review

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    1. Ha! Linda, this is a special comment, too! When I taught, I had students choose a number to research & they created a special poster with that number & all the things connected to it! Irene has done much more, but it was a fun assignment! Thank you!

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  4. Hmmm... thinking of a 9-letter word to describe this review, Linda... Fantastic! Yes, that would be it. (Plus all the words Linda M. already mentioned.) :)

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    1. Thanks, Michelle, the specialness of the book made it easy to do!

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  5. Wow, love this review and am so excited about Irene's new book. Great list of nine adjectives, and how wonderful that Imogene is turning nine in July. Also am a big fan of Amy's art. :)

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    1. Glad you're exctied and hope you get to read it soon, Jama. It's terrific! And it is such fun that it's out in time for Imogene's big day. Thanks!

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  6. I have been waiting for this one, Linda. I love your description and Nine is on its way. Irene is doing some amazing things and I am so delighted to read more and more. I am happy to hear of the "9 connections" you have and ssssshhhh! my lips are sealed, except I am salivating until Nine/Nonet poems arrives. Delicious-ness awaits!!! Thanks, Linda. Thanks, Irene.
    Janet Clare F.

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  7. PS I will be saving this for our little one, but it will be a while before she is 9. Maybe on Aug. 9 I will share it, 9/9/20 could work. Time will tell!!

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  8. Thanks for keeping the secret, Janet! How fun that you'll read this on 9/9/20. I hope we'll all be looking for nines from now on.

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  9. Your cleverness astonishes me. I didn't notice the words until you said something. Irene's poetry is so diverse and wonderful. I am so excited that she is having success and getting her books published. I am now crazy about the number 9. Ha!

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    1. After reading the book, it's hard not to love the number 9, Margaret! Thanks! Happy Mother's Day!

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  10. What a fabulous review! I can't wait to get my hands on this book. I am sure that my fourth graders (most of whom are 9 when they start the year) will love it. I'm so impressed with the creativity of the book and also of the review writer! :)

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    1. Thank you, Molly, and yes, nine-year-olds especially will love it! Happy Mother's Day!

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  11. What a great review! It is EXCELLENT! And... a lot of fun! Thanks so much for this, Linda, and have a good Mother's Day.

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  12. Here's another WOW for this super-creative review! I can't wait to get my hands on this one! I'm gathering a few gotta-have titles to phone in to my local indie bookstore, and it's on the list. Happy Mother's Day!

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  13. Thanks, Karen & Mary! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

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  14. Irene's new book sounds wonderful, and you creatively offer a shout out for it!

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    1. Thanks, Joyce. I hope you'll be able to find a copy & then enjoy it!

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  15. Linda, thank you for this creative review of Irene's new book. I haven't seen it yet, but it's on my wish list!

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    1. Thanks, Linda, I'm happy that it's already on your wish list!

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  16. You went the whole nine yards on this review, Linda, and scored 9 million happiness points! So much goodness in Irene's book and your nine adjective highlight reel. I know your granddaughter will love this book. :)

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  17. I've been looking forward to Irene's new collection! I lost track of when it was coming out. Oh! Just checked and see it's next month. Whew! I need to get it ordered at my local indie. Thanks for reminding me :>)

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  18. PS And what a clever, lovely review!

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  19. Linda, the weekend flew by but I am glad that I am opening my Mother's Day with your delightfullly-creative book review. Congratulations to Irene. I, too, am "nine-i-fied with delight"-what a great term Irene created. I hope your Mother's Day is filled with delight. I got a big surprise last night when my daughter asked me to go on Zoom. It took some time to access the sight but when I did Sierra immediately greeted me with "I love you, Grandma!"

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  20. Thanks Bridget, Laura, & Carol! We are all blessed with all the wonderful poetry coming out, like this new book by Irene. Happy Mother's Day!

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  21. What a Marvelous review of Irene's "Nine" book! And how clever of you to find those nine adjectives to describe and praise her book. I just ordered "The Cat Mat of Aleppo," and I'll have to add this one on to a future list… Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day!

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  22. Loved this review! Wishing I knew someone turning nine soon. And I'm so impressed with your list of nine and the nine-letter adjectives. You're too clever!

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    1. Thanks, Ramona, I enjoyed writing this, was so inspired by the book!

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