A unique collection of insect-themed poems meant to be read aloud by two voices.
He received the Newbery Medal in 1989. ( )

Joyful Noise is a Newbery Medal poetry book about a variety of insects (fireflies, cicadas, honeybees, etc). The poems are written for two voices meaning each poem has a part for reader 1, a part for reader 2, and a part to be read together. Perfect for grades 3rd and up. Fantastic addition to libraries at all levels.

Fireflies is a poem written with the intent of having two voices read the poem aloud. The poem is divided into two columns in which, at times, readers read separately and together. The poem utilizes alliteration, imagery, personification, and simile. I found the poem to be very carefully written so that when read aloud, the audience experiences a certain harmony of words. I believe this is a wonderful text to introduce read-aloud poetry and to identify figurative language. ( )

I really enjoyed reading this poem, I loved the descriptive language that Fleichman used, "glimmering", "gleaming", "six legged scribblers" these words and phrases brought vivid images to mind when reading. This poem features two different fireflies speaking side by side. It is full figurative of language including personification, "insect calligraphers" metaphors, and similes, "as if they were painting". Because their are two speakers, it would naturally lend itself to children partnering and working together to read the poem. Children are often used to the author of a poem being the speaker. This is a good poem for introducing the fact that the author is not always the speaker of the poem, and using context clues to figure out who is the speaker. Many children love fireflies, I know I have many fond memories chasing fireflies as a child, so I believe the subject matter of the poem would be appealing. It is a good model of figurative language and could be used for children to identify different types of figurative language and model writing a poem using figurative language. ( )

Independent reading level: grades 4-7
Awards: John Newbery Medal 1989