Yolen, Jane. Thunder Underground.

Yolen, Jane.  Thunder Underground. Boyd's Mills/Word Song     2017  30p $17.95  Hardback  ISBN 978-159078-936-0  pre K-elem      Poetry      E-BN

This collection of poems by Jane Yolen is beautifully combined with colorful illustrations by José Masse that will help the reader grasp a better understanding of each poem. As readers progress through the book they will learn about subway travel, tree roots, seeds, lava, moles and my favorites, underground rivers and spelunking. The final poem in the book ties all of the poems together for the reader and provides a satisfactory ending.
   

This is a beautiful poetry book that can be used at all levels of instruction. The poems are so lyrical and crisp that enjoyment is a certainty.  The book can be used in many ways in different libraries. It would be an excellent addition.

Summary: A collection of insightful poems by Jane Yolen that will inform young readers about what they can find underground. José Masse illustrates the pages with colorful supporting graphics.    

Nature, Poetry                                              --Linda McNeil

Orgill, Roxane. Jazz day: The Making of a Famous Photograph.

Orgill, Roxane.  Jazz day: The Making of a Famous Photograph.     Candlewick Press  2016  np  $18.99  ISBN 978-0-7636-6954-6        elem/ms  Nonfiction  E-BN  

Art Kane, a graphic designer, was behind the creation of a photograph of jazz greats that is known as “Harlem 1958”. Through a series of poems that are beautifully illustrated, the author recreates the events and participants in the day. Kane decided to have the picture taken in front of a brownstone in Harlem, and the photo shoot, including 58 musicians, lasted four to five hours. The final photograph featured the internationally famous -- Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie -- as well as those who were only known within jazz circles. Biographies of the more famous participants and a list of additional resources are included. This book is highly recommended for poetry and music collections.

Summary: Poetry and beautiful illustrations capture a day in Harlem in 1958 when jazz greats were photographed together.

Jazz, Photography, Poetry                                   --Stephanie Pennucci

Derby, Sally. Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Derby, Sally.  Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Candlewick Press  2015  122p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-7636-6070-3  ms/hs  Biography  E-BN    

Reading this book gives one the feeling of being in the presence of a great storyteller.  The tone is not that of a dry biography, but rather a conversation about a favorite poet as it is told in a first-person narrative that walks the line between a documentary and conversation.  The author herself describes it as a “grandma’s” voice in the Author’s Note. The story of Dunbar’s life is interspersed with his poetry, bringing context to the work.  Simple black-and-white illustrations add a surprising emotional depth to the text.  It would be much easier to get students interested in classic literature if all biographies were as engaging as this one.  A chronology, detailed source notes, a bibliography, and an index are included.  A must-have for any middle-school and higher-level literature collections.    

Summary: An engaging biography of Paul Laurence Dunbar, with the story of his life interspersed with his poetry. 

Poetry, African-American, Paul Lawrence Dunbar  --Stephanie Pennucci

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Jumping Off Library Shelves: A Book of Poems.

Hopkins, Lee Bennett.  Jumping Off Library Shelves: A Book of Poems.  Boyd's Mills/Word Song  2015  30p  $16.95  ISBN 978-1-59078-924-7 pre K-elem  Poetry      VG   

This beautifully illustrated book contains fifteen poems about the joys of reading and libraries through the eyes of a child. “My Card” by Cynthia S. Cotten explores the power of the simple looking library card. In “Enchantment” by Jane Yolen the subject is excited about picking out books “all by myself”. In “Librarian”, Joan Bransfield Graham wonders how the librarian is so skilled at matching readers to books. Other poems cover the wonder of poetry, reading with a favorite pet, and the library after hours. A lovely addition to a poetry collection.

**The intended readership for this book is too young to be included on the TriState Review Books of Note list.

Summary: Poems about the joys of reading and libraries.    

Poetry, Libraries-Poems                         --Stephanie Pennucci

Brown, Calef. Hypnotize a Tiger.

Brown, Calef.  Hypnotize a Tiger.  Macmillan/Henry Holt     2015  unp.  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-8050-9928-7  elem/ms  Poetry  VG-BN   

Welcome to the off-kilter and poetic world of Calef Brown.  This collection of whimsical poems highlights “The Critterverse”, “Poems of a Particular Vehicular Nature”, “Schoolishness”, “Facts Poetic”, and “Word Crashes”, and leads the young readers through madcap poems emhanced by funny illustrations.  The word play is always amusing and full of nonsense and unusual reflections.  This is a great book to be read aloud as well as silently.     

Summary:  Welcome to the off-kilter and poetic world of Calef Brown.  This is a great book to be read aloud as well as silently.        

Poetry                                                            --Susan Ogintz