I thought this was an interesting poem in my opinion. I liked this because it brought in an actual psychology concept. For example, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. I like this because it tells its readers that you don’t have to be good at one certain thing to be considered smart. For example one child can be smart and good at musical things, while another is good at sports. I also liked it because just like the other poem from this book, the illustrations depict what the poem focuses on. For example, Matthew Henso was in color and the wolves in the back were in black and white. The big idea of this, is there’s not one definition of smart, there are multiple ways. ( )

In my opinion, this was a good poem. I thought this was a good poem because of the message it sent. The big message was that there are other ways to be smart than just getting good grades on tests and papers. For example, the poem about Thurgood Marshall, highlights how intelligent he was and how important he was in history not by getting good grades, which proves to students that you don’t need A’s to be considered smart. I also liked this poem for the way it was written. For example, it starts with a quote from that person, then the poem, and then there is a part on the page with biological information about him to give background information. I think readers will enjoy this because they’ll really get to know the person their reading about. In addition, I liked the illustrations in this book. For example, the picture of Thurgood is very big and he’s in the front and in color, and the people in the back are small and in black and white. I think this gives significance because it stresses how important he is. ( )

I enjoyed this book. It was a collection of poems of some of the many different ways people are smart and have value. It briefly went over many of the "8 different intelligences," and every reader will be able to identify with at least of on the poems for one of the "ways we are smart." ( )

I liked the book "How We Are Smart " by W. Nikola-Lisa. I thought the impressionist watercolor illustrations by Sean Qualls helped to emphasize the idea that each person was important and special. I liked the descriptions of Thurgood Marshall who was intelligent about justice and Georgia O'Keeffe who had artistic intelligence. I also enjoyed the additional assessment to help you figure out how you are smart. I think the author does a good job of explaining the idea of multiple intelligences and giving strong examples of being smart in different and unique ways. ( )

I really enjoyed this book because it encompasses the idea of multiple intelligences. For example, it has a poem on Georgia O'Keefe outlining her artistic abilities, which shows someone can be smart artistically. We also read the poem on Thurgood Marshall. I enjoyed this because it brought the students into the poem by asking, "Could you be a Thurgood Marshall?" The big message in this book is to excel in whatever your gifts are. ( )