Knock on Wood: Poems about Superstitions

“No one wants to eat Chinese food on the Fourth of July,” says a young girl to her parents who insist on keeping their Chinese restaurant open on Independence Day. An honest portrayal of the tug between traditions old and new, as well as what it really means to be American.

Easy-to-understand poems explore what it’s like to grow up Asian in America. Readers will see themselves in the everyday activities of the poet who dispels typical notions of how Asians behave and how they excel. Perhaps, too, readers will realize the hurt that words can cause in several sophisticated and quite personal poems.

Poetry Tag Time is a chain of poets and poems that makes language part of a playful game. When a poet is tagged, that poet must write a poem that connects with the previous poem. Part of the fun is the poet’s explanation of the sometimes whimsical “connection” between the two poems. See also the holiday-themed Gift Tag (opens in a new window).

This anthology features 218 poems by 78 award-winning and popular poets, connecting science with reading and language arts. The “Take 5!” activities highlight concepts and topics identified in the Next Generation Science Standards and incorporate the literacy skills identified in the Common Core State Standards.

This anthology offers a set of 36 poems for each grade level, K-5 (a poem-a-week for the 9 months of the typical school year). Activities are poem-specific, skill-based, developmentally appropriate for each weekly poem — and that connect to the Common Core standards for poetry instruction. Infuse poem-sharing throughout the day and throughout the curriculum. And don’t be surprised if it’s a wonderful poem moment that students remember most vividly at the end of the school year!

Based on the author’s experience, a child visits the village in Korea where her mother lived before immigrating to America. The simplicity of the text provides rich details of everyday life in the small Korean village, enhanced by realistic illustrations.

This story shares a young boy’s hopes and dreams for the New Year — he has had so much bad luck in the past year, but he is certain that this year will be much luckier! A heartwarming and honest portrayal of what the chance to start over means for all of us. The author’s spare, lyrical couplets voice a child’s determination to face the new year with courage and optimism. An author’s note provides insight into her background and this festive occasion.