Before diving into this text, I skimmed through some of the pages, looked at a handful of illustrations, and read both covers. My initial reaction is mixed between awe and intrigue. I use the word awe to describe my reaction to the astounding praise this text has received from such a wide range of critics - including the “Trophy Newberry” listing and two awards from the ALA. Additionally, I think that the illustrations for this text are amazing. I have enjoyed drawing (specifically with charcoal) since I was a teenager, so the drawings in this book especially appeal to me. At the same time, the book and its praise are intriguing to me for the sake that it seems to live in the world of children’s literature and young adult literature at the same time. The drawings that I get such a kick out of are mostly playful, and the brief and lyrical text that I skimmed seems very much like many children’s books I have read… though not many young adult books. As I begin to read, I will be very interested in finding out how this text falls within the category of adolescent (or young adult) literature.
Reflections during reading:
- Did Paul Fleischman name his porch light “Seth” and then dedicate his book to it? Seems strange, but goes hand-in-hand with the focus on insects, I guess.
- I have a hard time imagining adolescents reading this text as a “musical duet” as called for in the forward note. Seems more like a bedtime story book for parents and children.I really like “Water Striders.” Humorous and lyrical; has much more depth than the intro poem… makes me curious about the author’s choice to open the book with “Grasshoppers,” which I feel is very plain in comparison to the following few poems. Is the author creating a rising quality to the work?
- I love the first drawing for “Fireflies.” “Light is the ink we use… Night is our parchment…” - beautiful metaphor.
- Book Lice offers a new treat to the reader both in an extended metaphor of lifelong lovers with his and hers parts.
- “The Moth’s Serenade” left me wondering why it made the collection. Reminded me of the opening poem. Maybe I would think differently if I were reading this aloud with another, rather than quietly by myself. Alas, it’s Friday night, and I ain’t got nobody.
- “The Digger Wasp” was bittersweet and complex - in that it speaks to the literal insect and also to another, deeper, human experience. Carefully done, and very nice to read.
- “The Honey Bee” has structure that matches the content - the queen’s lines are minimal, just as her tasks are. Contrastingly, the worker’s lines are many, and are with little break - just like the worker’s described daily toils.
- “Requiem” had me wondering Where’s this going? the whole way as I was reading it. The ending lines made me smile.
Reflections after reading:
After finishing this text, I went straight back to one of my initial questions - How does this fit within the genre of adolescent literature rather than children’s lit? I really did enjoy reading this book, and a part of me is sorry that I was unable to read this aloud with another, as the book was intended to be taken in. This text’s strengths seemed to me to be in its playfulness and beauty - with the illustrations and lyricism. All the same, it did not seem to have many of the qualities I have come to associate with adolescent literature - a focus on human experience and a search for meaning/identity. Perhaps my perspective of adolescent literature is limited due to my exposure to it… still, I think Joyful Noise is a beautiful children’s book. I will be very interested in hearing what others have to discuss about this title regarding this topic.
Rob,
ReplyDeleteAs I started to read this book, I was also taken by the illustrations. I thought the pictures added a lot to the poems.
I was actually able to read this aloud with a friend, and doing this was much different than reading it silently to myself. Reading the poems aloud with another person made the character of voice very important. It was fun to hear the voices in sync, clashing, and following one another.
I can see why this book could come across as children's lit, but I also can see why it can be read as adolescent lit. I found some of the reading aloud with a partner to be somewhat difficult at times. Also, I think reading aloud brings out a theatrical element to the writing. Voice is a powerful tool, and thanks to this wonderfully fun book of poems, I was able to play with the idea of voice and perspective in the poems. I think when you describe it as a "playful" piece of literature, you are right on. I would be very interested to see how this would go over in a high school or middle school classroom.