Monday, March 2, 2015

RHYME SCHEMER by K.A. Holt

Product Details

Bibliography

Holt, K. A. 2014. Rhyme Schemer. Sand Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9781452127002

Critical Analysis

This is an incredibly powerful book. This verse novel touches on many subjects that every pre-teen can relate to - feeling out of place and lost in a crowd, bullying (both being the bully and the target), family dynamics. I think this book would best fit into a middle school classroom, but I could also see it being used in upper elementary. Since the main character is a boy, I think that it will really connect with other boys who may be a little wary of tackling poetry. However, I think girls would also enjoy the story.

The book is written in free verse, using the freedom of the structure to highlight certain words without being constrained by a form. The imagery used throughout the book, especially that of the stone and how that stone changes throughout the story, is a great way to show how easily metaphors can be used without having to rip apart the whole book and shred the story line by line to analyze it. It is also written like a journal, with each poem written for a different day throughout Kevin's seventh grade year. The personal level, the insight into a youth's mind makes this a very powerful story.

Example

I could see this book being used in a classroom, but I could also see it being used by a counselor for a small group of students. I truly believe that all students can relate to this novel in some way, but there are certain poems that could be pulled and stand alone that speak to different situations and the emotions involved. The poem I chose to highlight here could be used with an individual student who is having problems at home, or with a whole class and lead into a journal response about how the students can relate to Kevin at this moment.

Weekend (p. 16)

When I'm old
enough
I'll leave
this place.

Will Mom cry?
Will Dad miss me?

I can see them now
laughing together
about one less mouth to feed.

Will they worry?
Will they care?

Mom can use my room
for email and bookshelves.
She will like that.

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