Grandits, John. 2007. Blue lipstick. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780618851324.
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What a creative book! I am trying to find poetry books that will quickly engage a high school reader, and I think that this is a very good choice. The concrete poems make up a sort of story about a teenage girl and all the the trials and tribulations that she has to face, including a problematic little brother, and a dad who hates they way she dresses. Each poem is clever and allows the reader to have a little insight into the girl, but also allows you to relate to the situation. Teenagers will see themselves in this book.
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While reading Mr. Grandit's concrete poetry, you have to turn the book in almost every direction imaginable, and it is so much fun! In the poem titled, "Suburb of Atlantis," I almost felt seasick, as I read the "waves" up and down, up and down. "Volleyball Practice" was back and forth across the pages. "The Secret" was a poem that managed to go in all directions at once. Even though the "appearance" of the concrete poetry is engaging, the poetry topics and words really grab you as well. I particularly loved the poems where she is fussing with her little brother. Every sibling with younger brothers and sisters has had these types of conversations and they are hilarious!
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In evaluating this book for quality, I have to agree that Mr. Grandits gives us pretty strong hints about the images he wants us to create in our minds, but it also allows the reader to relate the ideas to their own life. The poems are appealing to the reader, and they very much feel like they are fresh and imaginative. I believe that a high school kid picking up this book will stop and read more than one poem, just because they are fun and different. The topics are familiar and it will stimulate the reader's emotions and imagination.
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There is not a table of contents, index, or topical headings in this book, but it is short enough that it is not really necessary. Overall, I really liked these concrete poems, and I have already ordered a copy for my high school library.
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One of the poems that I really liked is:
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Zombie Jocks
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Trophy, trophy, trophy, trophy.
Zombie jocks, we want the trophy.
Trophy, trophy, give us trophy.
Give the zombie jocks the trophy.
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Football, baseball, we will win 'em.
When we wrestle, we must pin 'em.
Soccer, hockey, we will skin 'em.
On our bikes, you bet we'll Schwinn 'em.
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Don't like music, art, or science.
We prefer the Rams and Giants.
Don't like movies. Don't like dancing.
Don't like dating or romancing.
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Trophy, trophy, trophy, trophy.
Zombie jocks must have the trophy.
Shiny, shiny, pretty trophy
With our names engraved on trophy.
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This poem is written inside the drawing of a Zombie monster, all in black, and in the poem, all of the letter "e's" have been turned backwards. The poem has a very robotic rhyming feel to it, and it also reminds you of all of the athletes walking down the school hallway, wearing their letter jackets, or warm-up suits on game day! This poem brings up strong images!
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A fun way to use this with high school kids would be to show one of these poems up on a SMARTboard in the Language Arts classroom, allowing the students to read through it and then have a short group discussion on what thoughts or impressions that they have, or how they can relate to it. This type of bell-ringer activity could be done for a few consecutive days, also showing various concrete poetry books at the same type, in order to peak their interest. Surely, some students will seek them out for further enjoyment!
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