So this is the fourth poetry book I've read today. I love the month of April when I start my Poetry unit in my classroom. This book may just bet he one that pulls in my reluctant boys. Kevin loves nothing more than playing baseball. Suddenly he is knocked out of playing by a severe case of Mono. He barely has the strength to walk across the room. Not only can he not play baseball, but he can't go to school. When he isn't napping he has started writing poetry. His writer father has given him a notebook. In his father's office he finds a book about writing poetry that he sneaks to his room. He doesn't want anyone to know that he is writing poetry. For him this becomes a way of looking at and dealing with so many things in his life. It is a way of connecting with his thoughts and feelings about losing his mother. So loved this book. I can't wait to read the second one, "Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs". ( )

a adorable heartbreaking good times, would read again. ( )

While laid up at home recovering from mono, 14-year-old Kevin Bolland turns to writing poetry to pass the time. A book of his father's describes the different poetry forms which Kevin experiments with. His poetry explores the issue of his mother's death, missing the game of baseball, girlfriends, his changed role on the baseball team, his illness. Later he meets Mira, a girl who shares his interest in poetry. Voice seems way intelligent and wise for a 14-year-old; poems are sophisticated despite his playing around with formats. I thought "Love that Dog" did this better. Some baseball action but not a significant part of the book.

This is a study in fixed form poetry. Koertge does it so well, readers don't even know they are reading it. Superb. I love it. It's good it's short so one can take the time to savor each poem and decipher the various forms. Read through first to find out what's happening and then backtrack a bit, and go..."Hey! That was a sonnet!" Additionally, I hear, he's got a sequel coming out. ( )

This is a study in fixed form poetry. Koertge does it so well, readers don't even know they are reading it. Superb. I love it. It's good it's short so one can take the time to savor each poem and decipher the various forms. Read through first to find out what's happening and then backtrack a bit, and go..."Hey! That was a sonnet!" Additionally, I hear, he's got a sequel coming out. ( )