COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR by J. Patrick Lewis

COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
by J. Patrick Lewis

Bibliography: Lewis, J. Patrick.  2009. COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. Illus. Ethan Long.  New York, N.Y.: Hachette Book Group.  ISBN:978-0-316-02089-3

Summary: Countdown to Summer by J. Patrick Lewis is a collection of 180 poems for every day of the school year.  The poems include nonsense and rhyming along with many poems on holidays throughout the year.

Critical Analysis: I love this book because it’s a lot of fun.  Most of the poems rhyme and just roll off the tongue.  It reminds me a lot of Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein because of the topics that the poems cover.  My favorite part of the book is that it goes through the different seasons.  There are poems about Halloween, Christmas, the Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and others.  These poems seem to be most appropriate for those in 5^th grade and up.  There was one poem that I do not think I would read to a classroom full of kids called The Ninth Ward.  The poem follows a young girl who was in the ninth ward of New Orleans, Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit. The poem is very sad and talks about that the little girl was strapped to a chimney with a chord waiting to be rescued but her, “miracle flew to a passerby.” Overall I love the book and most of the poems are very light hearted and fun.  

Review Excerpts:

·      Children’s Literature: This is a fun book that could suit a number of classroom purposes.”

·      School Library Journal: A lively mostly lighthearted countdown to summer, beginning with #180, ‘A Sixth Grader Sees the Future.’”

Connection:

·      This book would be a great way to start the day in a classroom.

·      Could be used at home to help interest kids to read for other purposes other than just for school

·      Other books by this author:

o   Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. TAKE TWO!  A CELEBRATION OF TWINS. ISBN:0763637025

o   Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. EDGAR ALLAN POE’S PIE, AND OTHER MATH PUZZLERS IN CLASSIC POEMS. ISBN:0547513380