Joyce Sidman whose inspiration drew from a fourth grade teaching experience, writes a fictional book of apology poems from a sixth grade class. The author sets the idea in motion that the children were inspired by the This is Just to Say poem by William Carlos Williams. Sidmand carries out this anthology of apology and forgiveness poems in a fascinating collection that deals with friendship, losing pets, relationships with parents, and school drama.
Sidmand organizes this book into two parts; one for apologies and for section for forgiveness. It unfolds nicely for the reader to see the writer compose their “sorry” poem and them in the next section of the book see the response to their apology.
In this clever book of poems, the characters address their attempts to apologize to others and give forgiveness using both humor and empathy.
Sidmand organizes this book into two parts; one for apologies and for section for forgiveness. It unfolds nicely for the reader to see the writer compose their “sorry” poem and them in the next section of the book see the response to their apology.
In this clever book of poems, the characters address their attempts to apologize to others and give forgiveness using both humor and empathy.
Sidman awakens the readers’ emotions with authentic language like in the poem addressed to "the class"
How Slow-Hand Lizard Died- I stole him. / Took him home in my pocket./Felt the pulse beating./In his soft green neck./Had no place good to put him./ A shoebox./ He got cold, I think./ Watched his life wink out,/ his bright eye turn to mud,/ Brought him back/Stiff as an old glove./ Hid him in the bottom of the cage./Left the money on Mrs. Merz’s desk./(Stole that, too)/ Won’t touch the new lizard./Don’t like to touch money either/
" Signed Anonymous"
The reader will then get to see the class respond to the anonymous writer- in Ode to Slow-Hand… the sad way he left us /the sad way you feel/ los perdonamos/ we forgive you/ signed Mrs. Merz’s class.
Sidman shows readers that she understands the relationships kids have in Dodge Ball- I Got Carried Away Kyle, I’m sorry/for hitting you so hard in dodge ball. / I just really get carried away/in situations like that/ . She shows the readers the ability we have to say sorry and forgive others.
Pamela Zagarenski adds just the right touch of artistic humor with her mixed media pictures. Her pictures range from actually clips of the dictionary definition of apology to items found in a school classroom. Her creative flair will keep the reader turning each page to see the inviting illustrations.
Sidman shows readers that she understands the relationships kids have in Dodge Ball- I Got Carried Away Kyle, I’m sorry/for hitting you so hard in dodge ball. / I just really get carried away/in situations like that/ . She shows the readers the ability we have to say sorry and forgive others.
Pamela Zagarenski adds just the right touch of artistic humor with her mixed media pictures. Her pictures range from actually clips of the dictionary definition of apology to items found in a school classroom. Her creative flair will keep the reader turning each page to see the inviting illustrations.
Sidman, Joyce, and Pamela Zagarenski. 2007. This is just to say: poems of apology and forgiveness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
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