Rebecca Fischer

Professor
ECE 260
10/4/14

Author: Sara Holbrook

Title: Wham! It’s a Poetry Jam
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Summary: In this poetry book, Sara Holbrook, a performance poet, provides guidance for
children and teachers on how to perform poetry.

Evaluation

Style and language (precise vocabulary, figurative language,

strong and clear exposition, personal voice, avoids
didacticism and condescension, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Comment: Although teaching performance poetry is the purpose of this book, the author
presents the information in an entertaining, in-your-face-but-not-down-your-throat way that is
sure to excite a love for poetry unforeseen by children and teachers.

Compelling details (quotations, anecdotes, little-known facts, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comment: The author fills her page with little side notes about the poems and suggestions on
how to present them.

Fascinating comparisons 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Comment: This is not very applicable to this book.

Unusual subjects or viewpoints 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comment: This is not very applicable to this book.

Personalized content (new perspectives, first-person accounts, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comment: This book is filled with the author’s personal instruction.

Accuracy (up-to-date research, references, no mixing

Of fact and fiction or anthropomorphism, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Comment: There’s no mincing of words in this book. The book is presented in a way that grabs
the reader, both old and young, and gets them excited to share poetry.

Attractive design (photos, artwork, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comment: The design is meant to get readers excited about performance. The stars and swirls
printed on each page enhance the mood of the instruction provided.

Photo or artwork captions (new information?) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comment: Tiny captions are provided in graphic print that focuses on a detail of the
information provided.

Is it a well-rounded piece? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Comment: I’m not sure that the purpose of this book is to be well rounded. Its purpose is to
draw the reader in and create a performance poet. It’s a thorough book of instruction with a
great selection of the author’s poems.

RATING (10 high; 1 low) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comment: Having worked in a preschool that valued performances from 3-5 year olds, this
would be a great book on hand to use as a reference in how to teach performance. The
information can be easily adapted for younger and older children.