When I signed up to host I was thinking how lovely it would be, because SPRING!
And now here it is, and my new middle grade dystopian verse novel D-39: A Robodog's Journey releases next Tuesday!
Many thanks to those who have already helped me to celebrate... Sylvia had me (and others!) answer some tough questions about writing verse novels with tough topics over at Poetry for Children.
Janice gave a sneak peek over at Salt City Verse.
and Linda's post today at A Word Edgewise has me answering just 3 of the 8 (excellent! thoughtful!) questions Linda crafted after reading D-39... because I am (still) buried in revisions, she's given me permission to address the other ones at a later date.
Thank you!
One of the really exciting things about D-39 is that Mary Lee Hahn wrote the Discussion Guide! It's pretty amazing, just like Mary Lee.
With that in mind, I want to share with you three of D-39's "Poem Friends" from the Guide. (There are 10 in the Guide!)
The second you also probably know: "Perhaps the World Ends Here" by Joy Harjo. The accompanying question in the Guide is Where does Klynt's world begin? (Where does your world begin? Where does mine?) Nothing like the end of the world to prompt such queries!
The third is one you may not know— "A Center" by Ha Jin. It begins:
A Poem for the Girl by the Lake
a poem wears a hat in spring
a poem wanders off the path
a poem gathers shy blooms
a poem listens to ticklish grass
a poem ripples along the shore
a poem serenades the sun
a poem isn't afraid of shadows
a poem is for everyone
- Irene Latham
Irene, what a springtime it is! I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of D-39, and it's hard to believe that will be possible in just a few days. Thank you for all of the poetry you've shared today, starting with your own! As you thought, I was familiar with the Mary Oliver and Joy Harjo works, but Ha Jin's is new to me. In addition to everything else, thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed a circle scoop of poetry already from your post. My goodness, D-39 is a book to celebrate. The layers of consideration in this book are awe inspiring. I'm so thrilled to have had a chance to read it and my copy should be winging it's way to me soon, soon, soon! Enjoy the celebrations. Wishing you a boost of energy for your revisions! I think I'll walk with your poem that wears a hat for a while tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSo cool that Mary Lee wrote the Discussion Guide for D-39! Thanks for sharing these three poem friends. :) Love "A Poem for the Girl by the Lake." I want to listen to some ticklish grass. Thanks for hosting this week and Congrats on the new book!!
ReplyDeleteMany Congratulations on the release of "D-39…" Irene, and what a marvelous guide, with extra poems you're offering too! I'm looking forward to reading it. Love your "shy blooms." All the best with your revisions, and thanks for the hosting the roundup!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on D:39! Very cool that this is such a departure from the poetry you've been focusing on this past few years. And doubly cool that Mary Lee was able to help! I hoep you're enjoying those 'shy blooms' and shoreline 'ripples' of spring!
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to meeting D-39, Irene. It is pre-ordered, so next week! Congratulations! How great that Mary Lee wrote the guide and I love the 'peek' of poems you've shared, PLUS your own poem celebrating poetry within that painting. The lines are leaping from the frame! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, to be 'sharing' a book with Mary Lee. Loving that Discussion Guide connection. And very much looking forward to reading Linda's Qs - and your answers! (I enjoyed a moment of serenity in your lakeside poem.)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, a lovely postcard arrived here for me, today - from YOU! Thank-you. xx
Congratulations, Irene! I have been looking forward to reading D-39! I love every line in your poem, especially these lines "a poem wanders off the path" and "a poem ripples along a shore." I'm so happy for you that Mary Lee Hahn wrote the discussion guide! All of these poem friends are great. I'm looking forward to reading more about D-39 and you on the blogs you mentioned. Enjoy all the wonderfulness your verse novel, D-39 will bring you! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIrene, congratulations on your new book. I am so excited to be the proud recipient of Janice Scully's book giveaway of D-39. I am thrilled to read it because it sounds fascinating. Maybe my little Sierra will listen to the beginning to see what she thinks although she really loves to see the pictures that accompany the text. I also am interested in the Teacher Guide and how Mary Lee provides the setting for student reflection. Happy Spring. Your poem took me into the picture and longing for even-tempered days of spring weather.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news all around, Irene! I am very much looking forward to reading D-39 and utilizing Mary Lee's discussion questions. What a treat. Speaking of treats, thank you for the post card! It arrived in Switzerland yesterday!
ReplyDeleteThank you for host! I'm off to walk in some 'ticklish grass'. :)
Irene. Good heavens, what a force you are, and how fabulous a collaboration to have Mary Lee guide the discussions of D-39! Can't wait to read it. And even while deep in revisions, you have time to take a poem for a riverside walk. You are first on the list to receive a cicada postcard--and thank you for yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting! I'm SO excited for D-39, and the poem pairs are one of my favorite parts of the teacher's guide. Before I get too much credit, everyone should know that YOU picked the poem pairs!!!
ReplyDeleteI love joining in on the journey of D-39. And how awesome that Mary Lee wrote the teacher's guide. I've been working with Dictionary for a Better World with my little students. It's an exploration into ideas, vocabulary, and poetry forms. I love teaching with you by my side.
ReplyDeleteSo many things a poem can do! I'm glad that it wanders off the path. Who knows where it will end up? Thanks for hosting us, and congratulations on your wonderful new book! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading about Klynt and D-39! Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday and for the lovely poem about all the things that poems are or can be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting and congratulations on the release of D-39! I can't wait to read it-- and to check out Mary Lee's guide. Happy Spring to you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I just finished my grading on Monday and saved D-39 to read as my reward! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the thought-provoking personification in your poem, Irene. It certainly is for everyone. Thanks also for the Poem Friends. I can't wait to read your new book. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Irene, on your new book coming out. I read about it last week on Janice's blog, so I was looking forward to it. Your sweet poem about the girl by the lake inspired my writing today. I was mesmerized by all the statements of what a poem can do, so I wrote one similar, The ABCs of Poetry Power. Here is the link: https://mrsdkrebs.edublogs.org/2021/05/14/the-abcs-of-poetry-power/
ReplyDelete(Sorry, but I can't seem to make the InLinkz widget work. It seems there is a captcha I'm supposed to write, but no matter what I do I can't make it visible.)
Irene, congratulations on D-39! And those Poem Friends! What spot-on choices. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting today.
I loved your revision class and it was helpful to see you in action! The HaJin poem is so awesome. I sent it to my two sons. It think it has a lot to say for young people, though, as you say, it really is for everyone.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book! I can't wait to read it. And thanks for sharing all the wonderful poems--the HaJin poem is new to me, too--and just what I needed to read today! And your spring poem is just lovely, too--captures that fleeting feeling of springtime flowers. Thanks for all of that and for hosting, too!
ReplyDeleteMy class is SO excited to get D-39 next week! I've pre-ordered it and the kids are already trying to figure out how to best share. I love that Mary Lee wrote the guide! What a power combo! Thanks so much for hosting today and especially for sharing the HaJin poem. That really resonates.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, and for this great post! I can't wait to read the book.
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