NPM 2017 poster by Maira Kalman. Request a free poster at this site.
Happy Poetry Friday, everyone! Are you ready to celebrate National Poetry Month 2017?
Like many Poetry Friday bloggers, I do an annual project for NPM. This year, my theme is novels-in-verse. I’ve got a great line-up of authors, ready to talk about the art and craft of the verse novel.
But, before the line-up, a big National Poetry Month announcement!
I’m very excited to be partnering with Nerdy Book Club on poetry outreach.
Tune into the Nerdy Book Club’s Facebook page this Sunday night, 9 pm EST. I will be live-streaming a poetry-lesson walk-through.
I continue to hear from educators who shy away from teaching poetry. Often it’s because they were taught (usually in high school) that analyzing a poem is more important than enjoying it. Join me on Sunday as we discuss how teaching a poem can be fun, and help students learn analytical reading skills *at the same time*! This is a lesson/workshop that you can replicate in your classroom or home school.
You’ll find details and information about this event here. Wish me luck!
On Monday, April 3, my series of interviews with verse novelists kicks off with Jeannine Atkins.
Here is the full list of posts:
4/3 Jeannine Atkins, STONE MIRRORS: The Sculpture and Silence of Edmonia Lewis (Find the post here.)
4/6 Caroline Starr Rose, BLUE BIRDS (Find the post here.)
4/10 Leza Lowitz, UP FROM THE SEA (Find the post here.)
4/13 Shari Green, MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS (Find the post here.)
4/17 Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu, SOMEWHERE AMONG (Find the post here.)
4/20 Ellie Terry, FORGET ME NOT (Find the post here.)
4/24 Margarita Engle, MORNING STAR HORSE and FOREST WORLD (Find the post here.)
4/25 Tamera Will Wissinger, GONE CAMPING (Find the post here.)
4/27 Debut novelist Amanda Rawson-Hill (Find the post here.)
4/30 Holly Thompson, FALLING INTO THE DRAGON’S MOUTH (Find the post here.)
You can find a full list of National Poetry Month blog projects at Jama’s Alphabet Soup.
Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is hosting Poetry Friday this week. See you over at the Poem Farm!
What a great idea! I need to spend more time with verse novels soon. I’m spending April trying to complete a first draft of my novel, though. I will be with all of you in spirit and as a happy reader.
Good luck with your draft, Brenda!
This looks great, Laura!! Is there a way to sign up for your blog if one’s not on twitter? I didn’t see a feed here. Thanks!
Thanks, Maria. I’ll check on that.
Oh, Laura, I’m looking forward to the interviews. I’ve only read three of the novels on your list, but I’ve read many, many NIP including your wonderful LAST FIFTH GRADE… I can’t wait to learn from these fabulous authors!
I haven’t read all of them, either, but I hope to as we do the interviews.
You, my friend, have lined up a wonderful gathering of verse novelists! What a gift! Thank you for always being a voice for good in this sometimes-dark-feeling world. I am off to share your event. I hope to attend, but am not sure if I will be able to do so. Break a leg! (Not that you need it!) Lucky viewers! xx
Laura, my friend, you are a Doer with a capital D! Looking forward to your parade of verse novelist interviews and hoping to tune in on Sunday night as well. I’m not sure you need my wishes of luck—you clearly make your own!
Thanks for watching the video, Michelle. I appreciate it.
What a line-up! Where do you get all your energy?! I hope I can keep up with all your terrific pursuits starting tomorrow. You are definitely one of my poetry heroes!
That’s kind of you, Linda. Poetry is something I love to throw my energy into.
Yay, I’m looking forward to your NPM project, Laura! My to-be-read stack will be full of verse. =)
Thanks, Bridget. I’ve got to catch up and read several of these books also.
My mother (in her mid-seventies) still says she doesn’t like poetry because she couldn’t see her teachers’ interpretations. As a result, to her, a poem is a puzzle she can’t solve. Well-meaning teachers can ruin poetry for some students when “meaning” takes priority over enjoyment.
Exactly so, Scott. I try to coach educators to model open-ended responses to poetry. Some readers like to analyze. Other just want to enjoy the experience of hearing the words and letting them settle in the mind or body.
I’ve read most of the novels so I know I’ll love the interviews, Laura. What a nice idea to focus on verse novels (your own new love, right?).
Absolutely! I do love the form.
What a good idea to interview verse novelists! Thanks for posting the schedule–I’ll try to read ahead. Hoping to join in on Sunday, too. What a great Poetry Month we have to look forward to!
There are so many great projects going on this month. I’m excited to follow them.
This all sounds wonderful, Laura! Looking forward to learning more from these amazing poets!
Thanks, Catherine. Me too. I’m fascinated by craft-talk and can’t wait to read their responses.
Awesome! I hope your Nerdy Book Club shindig rocks. They are a pretty great group to do anything with. I look forward to revisiting old favorites and meeting new poets and novels in verse with your upcoming interviews.
Thanks for the good wishes, Kay. I was nervous but I think it went well.
Looks like a rich line up of poets, thanks for all, I’ll definitely stop back! I’m reading”The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary” now, along with Brown Girl Dreaming, and I can’t seem to get enough of novels in verse!
That’s a wonderful book. The novel-in-verse is such a rich form. You can take it in many different directions.
What a fun month!
I’m hoping my NPM project will turn into a verse novel/biography/picture book!
Mary Lee, I’m heading over to check out your project now. Exciting!