Traveling the Blue Road: Poems of the Sea edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. unpgd. Seagrass Books, October, 2017. 9781633222762. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
Let me put this right out there first: Language arts and social studies teachers who might be looking for a great title for a cross-curricular project, stop and take a look at this beauty! So rich with possibility!
Okay, now I can meander.
I am not really a water person. While I love to be near the water, in the water? Not so much. I will enter the water as long as I can stand. Going out past where I can see land? Nope, nope, nope. The first time I saw the Mayflower II and realized just how small and rickety a craft it really was, I nearly barfed. That a hundred-plus people packed their worldly possessions and themselves onto the vessel and set out for the unknown boggles my mind. Still, those great expanses are intriguing. I confess that I never viewed the sea as a road.
Traveling the Blue Road is a fascinating collection of original poems centered around the theme of arrival, whether by choice or capture or needing to flee a homeland. These poems will make you think. They are arranged chronologically and gorgeously illustrated with mixed media collages, most of which incorporate primary source images. This collection is one to get lost in both words and images. Seriously. Don't rush through it. In addition to a sprinkling of quotes throughout the book, the back-matter includes historical information behind each poem. Traveling the Blue Road: Poems of the Sea is a great addition to any library.
How Could We Harness a Hurricane? by Vicki Cobb. 48 p. Seagrass Press, August 1, 2017. 9781633222465. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
I'm always on the lookout for books about extreme weather partly because one of my science teachers has a big unit on it but also because it's fascinating. This book will fascinate, but it will also stimulate young scientists to question and, perhaps, generate possible solutions. In order to solve a problem one must understand it. Cobb unpacks the science behind hurricanes deftly explaining concepts of air and pressure and its interaction with water in a Q&A format. There are tons of great photos and diagrams to illustrate. Then she reviews the various ways scientists have sought to "harness a hurricane." As I was reading this section, I was reminded of a commercial from the early seventies for margarine. I can't remember which brand but the upshot was, "You can't fool Mother Nature!" She was fooled by the margarine, but she got her revenge. And then, I turn the page and find that the concluding chapter is entitled, "Should we mess with Mother Nature?" Cobb speaks to the difficulty meteorologists continue to have in forecasting a hurricane's path and intensity. When do we deploy expensive resources? And, as much damage as hurricanes cause, there are positive effects. Also, we must seriously consider the unintended consequences of our meddling.
The glossary spans nearly three pages. The selected bibliography contains older titles written by respected informational authors. There's also a list of links to websites and videos made by the author.
