Literary Merit (art and craft of aggregate work--as poet or anthologist)
Creating books of poetry that demonstrate imagination, authenticity of voice, evidence of a strong persona, and universality / timelessness are essential. In short, we're looking for a poet who creates poetry books that contain clean, spare lines; use language and form in fresh ways; surprise the reader by using syntax artistically; excite the reader's imagination with keen perceptions and sharp images; touch the reader's emotions. A maker of word events is what we're looking for.
Creating books of poetry that demonstrate imagination, authenticity of voice, evidence of a strong persona, and universality / timelessness are essential. In short, we're looking for a poet who creates poetry books that contain clean, spare lines; use language and form in fresh ways; surprise the reader by using syntax artistically; excite the reader's imagination with keen perceptions and sharp images; touch the reader's emotions. A maker of word events is what we're looking for.
Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children's Literature 2006
Author: Grimes, Nikki
Books Published: A Day with Daddy
A Dime a Dozen
Barack Obama
Bronx Masquerade
Etc.
Recommended audience: Elementary Aged students
Activities: One activity would be to write a poem about your favorite Olympic sport. What's your favorite sport in the Olympics, summer or winter? Pick one and write a poem about it. Maybe your favorite sport isn't in the Olympics at all. No problem! Write a poem about it, anyway. Your poem may help us understand what makes your favorite sport so special.
Another activity would be to come up with a starter poem and allow students to complete the poem however they wish to finish it.
Poet's website: http://www.nikkigrimes.com/
Books Published: A Day with Daddy
A Dime a Dozen
Barack Obama
Bronx Masquerade
Etc.
Recommended audience: Elementary Aged students
Activities: One activity would be to write a poem about your favorite Olympic sport. What's your favorite sport in the Olympics, summer or winter? Pick one and write a poem about it. Maybe your favorite sport isn't in the Olympics at all. No problem! Write a poem about it, anyway. Your poem may help us understand what makes your favorite sport so special.
Another activity would be to come up with a starter poem and allow students to complete the poem however they wish to finish it.
Poet's website: http://www.nikkigrimes.com/
Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children's Literature 2009
Author: Hopkins, Lee Bennet
Books Published: Alphathoughts
Amazing Faces
Been To Yesterdays
City I Love
Etc.
Recommended audience: Elementary Aged Students
Activities: One activity would be to create some poems about your life just as Mr. Hopkins did about his own life and his personal experiences.
Another activity would be to get together with a partner and create a poem together. Two heads are better than one and everything is more fun with a friend by your side. So grab your shoulder partners and compose an original poem between the two of you.
Poet's website: http://www.leebennetthopkins.com/
Books Published: Alphathoughts
Amazing Faces
Been To Yesterdays
City I Love
Etc.
Recommended audience: Elementary Aged Students
Activities: One activity would be to create some poems about your life just as Mr. Hopkins did about his own life and his personal experiences.
Another activity would be to get together with a partner and create a poem together. Two heads are better than one and everything is more fun with a friend by your side. So grab your shoulder partners and compose an original poem between the two of you.
Poet's website: http://www.leebennetthopkins.com/
Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children's Literature 2011
Author: Lewis, J. Patrick
Books Published: Take Two! A Celebration of Twins
What's Looking at You, Kid?
Edgar Allan Poe's Pie, and Other Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems
When Thunder Comes: Poem for Civil Rights Leaders
Etc.
Recommended audience: Elementary Aged Students
Activities: One activity that could be used would be to read When Thunder Comes and talk about the Civil Rights Movement and have students create their own poem about the Civil Rights Movement.
A second activity that could be used would be to read Edgar Allan Poe's Pie and talk about some of the different Math puzzlers that are in the book and try to figure them out as a class.
Poet's website: http://www.jpatricklewis.com/
Books Published: Take Two! A Celebration of Twins
What's Looking at You, Kid?
Edgar Allan Poe's Pie, and Other Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems
When Thunder Comes: Poem for Civil Rights Leaders
Etc.
Recommended audience: Elementary Aged Students
Activities: One activity that could be used would be to read When Thunder Comes and talk about the Civil Rights Movement and have students create their own poem about the Civil Rights Movement.
A second activity that could be used would be to read Edgar Allan Poe's Pie and talk about some of the different Math puzzlers that are in the book and try to figure them out as a class.
Poet's website: http://www.jpatricklewis.com/