Monumental Verses
Grade 5-8 -This wonderful interdisciplinary selection pairs poetry of varying forms with the artistry of well-known architectural marvels throughout the world. The 13 monuments include Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the Statue of Liberty, and the Great Wall of China. Lewis has attempted to match the appropriate poetic form to each structure. He uses blank verse, rhyming couplets, acrostic, shaped or concrete poetry, and others. His verses celebrate the beauty of each monument or the incredible skill and artistry that developed it. Many of the photos are dramatic and taken at unusual angles such as the one of the Golden Gate Bridge. Facts including the monument's date, location, chief engineer or builder, and physical dimensions are included. An introductory poem sets the tone for the book. In the epilogue, Lewis repeats his goal and invites his audience to celebrate other monuments with poetry as he did. A world map shows each site's location and a facing page includes thumbnail photos and additional information. A solid and enduring addition to any collection.-Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.