BIBLOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat and Jenkins, Steve. 1998. THIS BIG SKY. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 0-590-37120-7
PLOT SUMMARY
The book is a collection of poems written by Pat Mora. The titles of the poems allude to topics such as the sky, lizards, snakes, mountains, suspense, people, raccoons, holidays, night, deserts, birds, and dusk.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book of poetry contains poems about items that you might encounter in the southwest region of the United States and possibly Mexico. There is a sprinkling of Spanish words in a few of the poems which lends itself to authenticity. The poem topics deal with animals, people, or items that one would find in the Hispanic culture or demographic area especially the southwest. There is a glossary at the back of the book to translate those words along with the pronunciation guide. There is not a set format for the poems as some of them are longer than others and then some are spaced out differently than regular text. All of the poems do not necessarily have rhyming parts at the ends of the lines. When you read the poems you can imagine the sounds or sights Mora is trying to guide you to in the reading. The poems are short no more than page at the longest. The illustrator, Jenkins, does a good job at placing just enough visionary detail as to not detract from the poem but just add some detail for the poem.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Mora, Pat and Jenkins, Steve. 1998. THIS BIG SKY. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 0-590-37120-7
PLOT SUMMARY
The book is a collection of poems written by Pat Mora. The titles of the poems allude to topics such as the sky, lizards, snakes, mountains, suspense, people, raccoons, holidays, night, deserts, birds, and dusk.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book of poetry contains poems about items that you might encounter in the southwest region of the United States and possibly Mexico. There is a sprinkling of Spanish words in a few of the poems which lends itself to authenticity. The poem topics deal with animals, people, or items that one would find in the Hispanic culture or demographic area especially the southwest. There is a glossary at the back of the book to translate those words along with the pronunciation guide. There is not a set format for the poems as some of them are longer than others and then some are spaced out differently than regular text. All of the poems do not necessarily have rhyming parts at the ends of the lines. When you read the poems you can imagine the sounds or sights Mora is trying to guide you to in the reading. The poems are short no more than page at the longest. The illustrator, Jenkins, does a good job at placing just enough visionary detail as to not detract from the poem but just add some detail for the poem.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Book Publishers of Texas Award for Best Book for Children or Young People, Texas Institute of Letters, 1998
1999, Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
"One Hundred Books for Reading and Sharing, 1998," The New York Public Library Finalist, PEN Center USA West 1999 Literary Award in Children’s Literature
Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review -"Mora celebrates America's vast, otherworldly Southwest in 14 poems that will delight readers with their playfully evocative images. Jenkins offers cut-paper art in tones that reflect the sun-baked region."
Children’s Literature - “These spare and dramatic poems transport readers to the American Southwest-where the sky often does seem big.”
School Library Journal – “This gem is both a lovely poetry book and an evocative look at a magical place.”
Kirkus Reviews –“Some of the poems have an ear-pleasing music that lifts the words from the page and sets them dancing.”
CONNECTIONS
This is an excellent book to introduce young students to poetry with a Latino background. Pat Mora also has several other poetry and story books that could be used in an author study.
ABUELOS -ISBN-13: 9780888997166
AGUA, AGUA, AGUA -ISBN-13: 9780673362926
THE BAKERY LADY -ISBN-13: 9781558853430
A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA -ISBN-13: 9780689813283
BOOK FIESTA! -ISBN-13: 9780061288777
CONFETTI -ISBN-13: 9781880000250
DELICIOUS HULLABALOO-ISBN-13: 9781558852464
THE DESERT IS MY MOTHER-ISBN-13: 9781558851580
LISTEN TO THE DESERT-ISBN-13: 9780618111442
MARIA PAINTS THE HILLS-ISBN-13: 9780890134016
Book cover image is from Barnes and Noble website.
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