Nelson, Marilyn. 2001. Carver A Life in Poems. Front Street: Asheville, NC. ISBN: 978-1-886910-53-9.
About the Book
This biography in poems is ideal for students in grades 5-8 and represents the life of a significant African American. These poems are told in the voices of people who knew Carver and are powerful and moving. Frank descriptions of terrible things such as lynching are also presented. One poem, potentially presenting a concern for school libraries, describes the sexual abuse of a victim. Overall, this collection gives us insight into the life of a great man whose intellect significantly impacted the world. The fifty-nine poems in this collection portray the life of George Washington Carver and give great insight into his life and the era in which he lived.
One Poem (excerpt)
Coincidence
In Wakefield the night train
screeches to a neck-wrenching halt.
Last, the explanation reaches
the Colorado compartment,
where Dr. Carver guards in a valise
his jars of Before and After soils
and of compost, his giveaway
bags of raw peanuts.
Activities
*Lead students to discuss the very visual language used in the poem excerpt. (neck-wrenching halt, for example) Discuss other words or phrases the author could have used and how they might have altered the meaning or feel of the poem.
*Read the entire poem and lead students to rephrase the poem into their own words.
*Provide a research opportunity for students about George Washington Carver and the contributions he made.
*Ask students to bring one item to class that represents a facet of Carver's life, after reading the entire collection of poems, and explain how it is representative.
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