My Words on Children's Literature

Genre 3 POETRY

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grimes, Nikki. 1999. MY MAN BLUE. Ill. by Jerome Lagarrigue. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803723261

2. PLOT SUMMARY

With 14 heartfelt poems, Grimes invites readers to witness the blooming friendship between an inner city African American boy without a father, and a tough-looking man who lost his son to the streets. At first, the boy, Damon, holds back from "This rugged dude/ Who some folk think/ Looks fierce in clothes/ of midnight black." But all his resistance melts away as Blue looks out for the boy, listens and gives advice, and demonstrates a quiet strength.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

These poems could easily stand alone, however, together they create an enticing story that draws the reader in. Each one builds on the last and in those few words of each poem, there are words beyond words. This collection of poems tells a story and also explores a relationship. This book will be especially meaningful to the child who has experienced the need for a father figure and the process of learning to trust and bond with that new person. These poems could be a springboard for some meaningful discussion.

The rhythm and rhyme of these poems is easy, not forced. The focus is on the relationship and the emotion. These elements gently carry the story.

The game is/Seventeen to four
But scoring/Isn't why we run
And dribble/And jump
While some/Aim guns.
We hit/The hoops
And shoot/For fun.

Lagarrigue’s deep-hued acrylic paintings have an impressionistic quality to them. The illustrations focus mainly on the man and boy bond with the cityscape blending greens and blues in the background. Children ages 6 and up will enjoy seeing and reading about this relationship.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus: Lagarrigue's illustrations are brooding gardens of color that hold the forces of disorder and menace at bay, while Damon's cool earnestness--as well as his courage and independence--brighten each page.

5. CONNECTIONS

*Discuss relationships between boys and men, sons and fathers, girls and women, daughters and mothers. Have students draw their own pictures and write short poems.

*Other related books:

Greenfield, Eloise. HONEY, I LOVE AND OTHER LOVE POEMS. ISBN 0064430979

Nicholls, Judith (Compiled by) SOMEONE I LIKE: POEMS ABOUT PEOPLE . ISBN 1841480045

// posted by catalogblog @ 7:52 AM