"Novel" Poems

Our Guided Reading Class enjoyed 4 different novels in the last weeks of school.  They had several discussions about setting, characters, and theme.  Our final project was to write a group poem inspired by the novel.  Here they are:

The Incredible Journey

Inspired by The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

This is the story of three loyal pets,

who found their masters

whom they could not forget

This is the history of three brave pets,

who stuck together

through worst and best

This is the story of three noble pets

who cared for each other

as they traveled west

The bull terrier was a fighter,

the Siamese clever and sly,

The Lab, he braved a porcupine

and almost lost an eye

In the end the pets succeeded

and made their way back home

So take this reminder,

and never travel alone!

by Jess, Rayna, Luciano, Aditya

Epic War Rap of History

Inspired by My Brother Sam is Dead by Collier & Collier

Tim was a boy who admired his brother

Even though he was told not to by his acusing mother.

His mom and dad told Tim the same stuff

"Get away from Sam and his disgusting bluffs!"

Those parents were right, until Dad was taken away

Onto a British prison ship to stay.

Sam decided to fight in Continental Army battles

But was falsely accused of stealing cattle.

Tim decided to save Sam's life-

And tried to do it all with a musket knife

But sadly, he failed, and now Sam is condemmed to die,

and now, everyone starts to say, "Oh, why?"

Now Sam had no choice but to stand around,

and wait for the executioners to shoot him to the ground.

Shot #1 Sam burst into flames!

Shot #2 Sam fell flat on his face!

And now, Tim is sad and sixty-four,

And now the poem's over- there is no more!

by Sean M., Mona, Swetha, Thomson, Rishabh

Joey Takes a Trip

Inspired by Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

Joey Joey has a mom

Joey Joey has a dad

But they got divorced

They went to his dad's house

The mom left because she was mad at the dad

They had some fun playing ball

but in the end it was not fun at all,

He went to the mall and made a call

and off they went, home...with Pablo (their dog)

by Josh, Isabella, Maggie, Merna

The Upstairs Room

Inspired by The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss

The Germans are mad

The Dutch are sad

The mother is dead

Their hair is red

Hitler is crazy in the head

The Oosterveld's let them sleep in the bed

The Hannik's leave them

The Oosterveld's feed them

Usselo, the Canadians do defend

They are all happy in the end.

by Neil, Gaia, Shrija, Ashwini, Sydney, Anusha, Hannah