School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Drawing from Psalm 121, Grimes weaves a dual narrative around two young classmates using the Golden Shovel format. (Each poem uses the words of one line of the original psalm as its ending words.) Jordan makes good choices despite a meek and downtrodden nature. Tanya acts like a bully, her hostility rooted in self-consciousness about stuttering and academic struggles. Both are encouraged by family members to turn to God, who is always watching over them. The message is heavy at times: "where/stutterers aren't treated like spit." But Grimes's skillful use of enjambment keeps the verse fresh. The text is also a valuable study in perspective, offering insight into the character's motivations and fears. Both gravitate to an aptly named new student, "Israel." Soon after, the speakers are brought together by Jordan's commitment to choose kindness and Tanya's willingness to change. Grimes ends with a brief explanation and encourages young readers to try their hands at this poetry form. Collier's mixed-media illustrations accompany the text, incorporating paintings and also photographs of real New York City students. VERDICT A strong portrayal of pious characteristics to foster empathy in kids; a fine addition to religious-themed poetry collections.--Maria O'Toole, Carroll Manor Elementary School, Adamstown, MD © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Drawing on Psalm 121 and a poetic technique called the Golden Shovel, Grimes creates a cycle of poems about two children, Jordan and Tanya, who become friends through their intense faith and the arrival of a new classmate. As the poems alternate between the children's observations and pleas to God, readers learn that Tanya, who stutters and feels that other children "tease me into meanness," bullies Jordan relentlessly. Jordan, sensing Tanya's literal and emotional hunger, reaches out to her. The Golden Shovel form uses the words from the source poem to conclude lines in the new poem. Thus, "your coming and going" from verse eight of the psalm turns into Jordan's thoughts on the children's budding friendship: "Tanya's attendance is perfect at dinnertime. 'Your/ mom's a good cook' is her excuse for coming/ over every other day. But I don't mind, and/ Mom's glad to see how strong this friendship is going." The language, by turns soaring and searing, requires close attention, but its beauty is brought to earth in the best way by Collier's resonant photo-collages of schoolchildren. Ages 6-10. Illustrator's agent: Marcia Wernick, Wernick & Pratt. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
