Poetry- “Spinning Through the Universe”

Bibliography

Frost, Helen. Spinning Through the Universe. New York: Frances Foster Books, 2004.

Plot Summary

Helen Frost delivers poetry in different poetic forms to the readers in this verse novel.  Each poem is written from the perspective and story of a fifth grade class in room 214.  The subject matter goes from the serious: child abuse, racism and homelessness, to lighter subjects like recess and new kittens.  Even the teacher’s story is told from this fifth grade class. 

Critical Analysis
Frost uses the students’ stories to create poetry in order to tell their stories.   The book is divided into two parts: Great Explorers and Elm Trees.  The language of each poem is written as if a particular fifth grader or the teacher was the author, even their names are given at the beginning of each.  The reader gains some insight into the happenings of the lives of this fifth grade class, both their home life and school life.  Throughout “Spinning Through the Universe” are poems by the student, Naomi.  They are short insightful poems that make the reader think Naomi is sitting by a classroom window, looking out at nature and the happenings outside.  Frost not only uses different poetic forms, but she explains these forms and how she chose which one to use in the “Notes on Forms and Acknowledgments” section. The reader will actually feel as if they know the students and teacher in classroom 214 when they finish with "Spinning Through the Universe".

Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Interwoven dramatic stories and interesting poetic patterns give this book extra appeal.”

BOOKLIST: “Here the poems provide a glimpse of a greater diversity of characters.”

Connections

After sharing this book of poetry to students, they can begin to form their own poetry about the events of their lives. 
Students can use these poems as examples to see that poetry does not have to follow one specific form.  Spinning Through the Universe is an excellent way to expose kids to different poetic forms.