The loss of a brother and how each sibling deals with his death differently.

Middle School teachers could also use this book to teach students how to cope with emotions by reading and writing poetry in addition to asking students to compare and contrast the two voices in the poems (CCSS RL 3.6). Yet, teachers will want to be careful about using this text offhandedly since it grapples with death and grief. It may trigger some similar feelings within their students. ( )

This series of poems follows the inner thoughts of Jesse and Jerilyn, a brother and sister who lost their older brother in an accident. The year after their brother's death showed the angry/rebellious side of Jesse and the strong/caretaking side of Jerilyn.

A book written in the view of two siblings who have lost their older brother. They each cope in a different way. ( )