Poetry Book Review: Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry

Poetry

Title: Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American Poetry

Author: Ashley Bryan

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Copyright date: January 1, 2001

Number of Pages: 32 pages

Awards: CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Coretta Scott King

Award Honor Book

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: N/A


Genre: Children’s Literature, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry


Summary:
This poetry book suggests a new way of working with the alphabet, not so much to teach the alphabet to young children, but to introduce a world of poetry and art to all children. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a line from a poem by different African American poets, describing an aspect of the black experience. You may find African American poets you know in this collection and others you might like to get to know. Readers will be exposed to African American history. What will readers see in this book, does the art portray the poem, and how will the art engage readers? Open this book up and take a look!


Academic Purpose:
This book emphasizes poetry, history, and also art. I would implement this book during Black History month, in a Language Arts lesson, and art class. This book reaches all of these subjects. This book gives information about African American History, but I would also use this book to teach my students on how to write poetry. A highlight in this book is also art. The author/illustrator used tempera paints and gouache colors to bring the illustrations alive. I would have students create their own poem about African American history, and then illustrate their poems with tempera paint and gouache colors. Students will learn how an illustration can bring a story/poem alive.

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, unconquerable, toil, and sturdiness. The books style and language creates a great book for independent readers. This book communicates its point clearly about African American history, brought to life through poems and art. 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 organized with a beginning, middle, and end because of how the ABC letters guide readers through the book. There are no main characters in this book. 3 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 African American History. The illustrations in this book will definitely interest the readers. The illustrations are colorful, bright, and unique. 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 about African American history, art, and poems. A teacher could use this book during Black History Month.   5 star