Module 9: This is Just to Say, by Joyce Sidman

Summary: This is a collection of poems by Joyce Sidman, written in the voices of a fictional group of sixth-graders and their teachers, friends and parents, and patterned after William Carlos Williams' poem of the same title. The poems, written in a variety of forms, are presented in two sections: one for apologies by students, and one for responses. For instance, in one poem, a boy from the class apologizes to his father for vandalizing the garage windows. The boys father responds with a poem of his own, forgiving him for the broken windows and expressing pride in the boy's academic achievement. Some of the poems are written by students in the voices of other people and creatures, who either can't or won't respond.

Reference: Sidman, J. (2007). This is just to say: Poems of apology and forgiveness. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.

Impressions: My favorite thing about this book is illustrations. Supposedly done by a student in the class, Pamela Zagarenski's collage-like illustrations are saturated in blues, golds, and reds. The background for each poem is a different color, and the poems are illustrated with folk art-like drawings and what looks like dictionary text. The poems themselves are entertaining, and each is a lovely example of a different type of poem, like a haiku or pantoum. This book would be a great introduction to poetry for early grade school to middle school aged children. I enjoyed the way Sidman created a unique voice for each poet.

Review: Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just to Say," apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: "Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy." Mrs. Garcia's response poem says, "Of course I forgive you./But I still have to call your mother." A more serious concern emerges in "Next Time," written by Jewel: "Please, please come back./Don't leave me spinning alone,/like a slow, sad tornado./I'm sorry, Daddy./Next time I'll be/perfect." In the response poem, Jewel describes her father's wrenching reply telling her that, "None of the stupid things/I have ever done/are even close to being your fault." Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds-notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.

Bock, L. (2007). This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness [review]. School Library Journal, 53(5), 162.

Summary: As I said, this book would be a great introduction to poetry. A librarian could work with a school teacher to create an activity where students read the poems aloud, discuss the elements of poetry and its forms, and then create their own poems. They could choose their favorite type of poem represented in the book, and use that pattern to write their own poems. I wouldn't ask them to do apologies, but I would ask them to write a poem for another person, perhaps about why that person is important, or what they like about them.