August 1, 2014
Gr 5 Up-The poems in these two collections offer insights into two strikingly different worlds. The selections in Haiti describe lush greenery, ripe mangos, and the natural beauty of a tropical paradise. The gorgeous scenery is a strong variation of the depictions of Haiti often seen in American media, although it is important to note that these poems were written before the devastating earthquake of 2010. The tone is pensive and reverent toward the beautiful island, and while pieces some do touch on the issue of poverty, the teens define their nation by their respect for all that their homeland offers. Mingan offers readers a look at the lives of young people in an Innu village in Quebec. While these poems pay much respect to the natural world, they also express the importance of reverence toward one's elders and strong family bonds. Use of native Innu words also makes these selections interesting and will spark readers' curiosity about their meanings. Roge's beautiful, full-page portraits feature young people who all seem interested, engaged, and pensive, which reflects well on their work. Both volumes are insightful and could pair nicely with units about either culture, although they might be a hard sell as pleasure reads. -Ellen Norton, White Oak Library District, Crest Hill, IL
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