Children's Literature

HOPKINS AWARD POETRY

McCall, Guadalupe Garcia. Under the Mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books, 2011.

The verse novel, Under the Mesquite, is autobiographical and author, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, told the story of her high school years.  McCall weaves this story of love and sadness, happiness and grief, isolation and inclusion using brief lines and plenty of white space.  The rhythmic verses are divided into six parts, each part highlighting a period of time during McCall’s high school years.

The table of contents lists a title (poetic) for each section of the book but, without reading the book, the titles will not help you locate specific information.  The poetic nature of each title seems somewhat mysterious, which fits the storyline well with everyone trying to keep secrets.

McCall includes an abundance of figurative language, creating pictures in the readers’ minds that help with understanding.  “My pencil whispered the letter” is an example of personification, as well as an appeal to the senses.  The sense of quiet depicts an almost reverent attitude surrounding the writing lesson.  Similes and metaphors are scattered throughout the pages, adding to the rhythmic quality of the verses.  In part 3, “the sun god has turned him [Papi] red like a boiled crawfish” is a sight readers can visualize and “The branches’ thorny ends are long fingernails tearing at our hair” in part 4 is something they can feel.

The glossary of Spanish terms found at the back of the book is invaluable to readers without a Spanish language background.  With many Spanish words sprinkled on every page, McCall has made it possible for non-Spanish readers to read and comprehend her story.

High school years can be an emotional roller coaster and McCall has told the story of her high school years in way that readers can relate to.  Many of the verses are snippets with which readers can identify, from arguments with friends and visiting cousins to illness and familial bonds.  Readers follow McCall through a myriad of emotions, sensing her mood changes and cheering her on as she strives to attain her goals.

A snippet from:

“mi madre”

On Mami’s grave

lies a tiny, tin nameplate,

inexpensive and unrefined,

an understated

grave marker for a woman

who meant so much

to six daughters,

two sons, and her

beloved husband.

Mi madre

was faceted

like a diamond.

Before reading this poem:

Ask students to think about a time when they lost someone important to them.  This could be loss death, but it might also be a time when someone became absent in his or her life.

If they would like, have them share how they felt about the loss, either to the class or share with a classmate.

Follow-up:

            Ask students if they know what an epitaph is.

Definition according to Encyclopedia Britannica:  “an inscription in verse or prose upon a tomb; anything written as if to be inscribed on a tomb…deep and tender in feeling, rich and varied in expression, and epigrammatic (short, witty, sometimes satirical) in form and expressing sorrow.

           

            Share epitaph example:

            “Perry’s Echo”

            By MVincent

            He understood the value

of gentle conversation

            And nourished life

            with laughter and with tears

Students will write an epitaph for Mami, either independently or with a partner.  Encourage them to think about the entire book, happy and sad times, when composing the epitaph.

Bibliography

"Epitaph - Poetic Form." Encyclopedia Brittanica. Accessed April 8, 2015. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/190350/epitaph.

"Perry's Echo, a Poem by MVincent. All Poetry Poets - All Poetry." The World's Largest Poetry Site- Discussion & Poem Contests. Accessed April 9, 2015. http://allpoetry.com/poem/9736389-Perrys-Echo-by-MVincent.