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Book Summary

Reviewed by Matt Berman

In this free-verse journal Jack reluctantly comes to feel the power of poetry, and uses it to express his feelings about school, writing, poetry, Walter Dean Myers, and his late dog, Sky. Includes an appendix with most of the poems mentioned in the story.

Is It Any Good?

5

In this minor masterpiece, Creech accomplishes so much with so little -- no synopsis can convey what makes this book so involving, moving, uplifting. She captures a story, a voice, a mind, a heart. She inspires readers to write their own poems and gives a meaningful demonstration of the power of the form.

While the poems at first seem unconnected, the book is in fact tightly structured, and all the way through Creech is unobtrusively weaving together strands that come poignantly together in an emotional climax. Although many children will finish this book in one or two sittings, it bears numerous rereadings and much fruitful discussion, and is a gift to parents and teachers of reluctant readers who want to help their children learn to delve more deeply into literature.

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