Poetry Book Review: African Acrostics

Poetry

Title: African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways

Author: Avis Harley

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright date: July 1, 2009

Number of Pages: 38 pages

Awards: N/A

Reading Level: Independent Reader Jr. "I am a Reader"

Generally appropriate for 4th Grade to 7th Grade

These books are appropriate for the independent reader who can retain and understand more elaborate and sophisticated story elements.

Lexile: 910L

Genre: Children’s Literature, Fiction, Poetry

Summary:

Each of these 18 inventive acrostic poems features a different African animal. Acrostic poems spell out a word using the initial letters of each line, but Harley's poems go far beyond this simple form. While some poems spell out the animal's name, others spell out more subtle descriptions. The rhino's poem spells out "beauty in the beast," while the giraffe's poem is called "cloud friends." Some poems also spell out a different word using the last letter of each line (a double acrostic); there is even a quintuple acrostic with five hidden words arranged vertically. Finding the hidden word is a fun game, but here it brings surprises and insights into the poet's imagery and descriptions.

Academic Purpose:

The main poetry theme of this book is acrostic poems. To implement this book into the classroom, I would use this book as an extra resource to a lesson about acrostic poems. After teaching the students about acrostic poems and how they can make them, I would read this book aloud to them. I would ask probing questions about each poem, such as how was this poem made, what is the secret word, how did the author go about writing this certain poem, and what was the message they wanted to portray. I would read this book to the class, then I would have each student pick a topic, it can be food, animals, sports, etc. and have them create their own acrostic poem. This book gives students a great insight of how acrostic poems can be written.

Rating System:

Categories:	5 Stars	3 Stars	1 Star	Comments
Style and Language	The book anticipates readers’ questions and uses great word choice for the age targeted. It has linear progression and communicates its point clearly.	The book follows a linear progression, with some unclear points. The word choice is okay.	The book is confusing as it doesn’t follow a linear progression at all. The vocabulary in the book is either too simple or too complex for the age group targeted.	This book uses great word choice for the age targeted. There is many vocabulary words such as, agleam, tawny, and colossal. The books style and language creates a great book for independent readers. This book communicates its point clearly of acrostic poems. 5 stars
Plot and Character Development	The plot is in depth and helps to create a picture in the reader’s mind. The plot is organized having a beginning, middle, and end. The character development is strong.	The plot is okay. The book is organized with a beginning, middle, and end. The characters are well developed.	The book is confusing and doesn’t have a clear beginning, middle, or end.	This book doesn’t really have a plot. It is an ABC book as well as a poetry book. But, it is not organized with a beginning, middle, and end because they don't use all the letters. There are no characters, just animals. 1 stars
Interest	The book holds real life situations which draw the reader in. The word choice and story hold the reader’s attention. The book is suitable for the age group targeted.	The book holds little interest and draws the reader in sometimes. The book is suitable for the age group targeted.	The book is very boring and doesn’t hold the reader’s attention. The book is not suitable for the age group targeted.	This book is suitable for the age targeted.  It is a poetry book that teaches about acrostic poems and informational facts about animals. The illustrations in this book will definitely interest the readers. The illustrations are colorful and almost feel like you are in the picture with the animals. 5 stars
Educational Value	The book is relatable to education. The book can be integrated into other content areas.	The book is relatable to education. The book may need further resources to help connect it to other content areas.	The book is not relatable to education whatsoever. The book is not appropriate to be integrated into other content areas.	This book is relatable to education. This book teaches acrostic poems. A teacher could use this book during an acrostic poem lesson.       5 star