Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems - Hardcover

Grandits, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 061842833X ISBN 13: 9780618428335

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2004

Synopsis

Hardcover. Pub Date: 2004 Pages: 48 Publisher: Clarion Books An Eleven-year-Old boy named Robert voices typical-and not so typical-middle-grade CONCERNS in this unique the memorable collection of hilarious poems His musings cover the usual stuff. like pizza. homework. thank-you notes. and his annoying older sister. In addition. he speculates about professional wrestling for animals. wonders why no one makes scratch-and-sniff fart stickers. designs the ultimate roller coaster ( complete with poisonous spiders). and deconstructs the origins of a new word. snarpy. A playful layout and ingenious graphics extend the wry humor that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

About this title

Review:

Eleven-year-old Robert expresses himself-emphatically-through this series of concrete poems that emphasize visual over linguistic imagery. "My Stupid Day" appears as a circular recitation of an average school day arranged around a clock face; "Just Mow the Lawn" features graceful blades of grass formed by repetitions of "grass" on either side of a mown strip made up of vertical ouches. Robert emerges as the prototypical kids'-book kid: smart-mouthed, eternally at war with his sister, deeply in tune with the digestive process, and more interested in sports and video games than school. If he lacks individuality when stacked up against his literary peers, however, he makes up for this in typographical verve. Possibly the best piece is "Robert's Four At-Bats," in which the typeface flies, line-drives, grounds out bumpily, and then, in red, hits to right field where it is bobbled, allowing Robert to double and then to score around the infield diamond: "Cougars win!" An exuberant celebration of wordplay that's certain to broaden kids' understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of poetry. (Poetry. 9-13) (Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author:

John Grandits is an award-winning book and magazine designer and the author of “Beatrice Black Bear,” a monthly cartoon for Click magazine. He lives in Red Bank, N.J., with his wife, Joanne, a children’s librarian, and Gilbert, an evil cat. His first book of concrete poetry, Technically, It’s Not My Fault, followed the adventures of a boy named Robert, who was often in conflict with his older sister, Jessie. Blue Lipstick gives Jessie a chance to tell her side of the story.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 061842833X
• ISBN 13: 9780618428335
• Binding: Hardcover