I do like this book, but not for a school classroom. First, the content of this book is far too religious to be used anywhere other than church and home. Every poem includes God. For example, one line from the poem titled Friendship reads, “Since we moved here, God, you’re the only friend I’ve got, which is okay, I guess…” This is a very religious book and therefore will only appeal to a certain crowd. However, I really did like the premise of the book. All of the poems are written from the perspective of a young child. These poems encompass topics ranging from friendship to family, to school to dance. I also really like the emotion that the author conveyed through the language. For example, she writes, “Lord, please give my grandma one more year. Just one. I know she’s been around a while, but you don’t need her half as bad as me.” I liked this poem in particular because it has so much meaning as well as emotion, and the fact that it is from the perspective of a little girl just adds more emotion! The main message of this book is that God is never too far way, no matter how often you pray or to what level you devote yourself.

This book consists of several poems that are told from a child's point of view, "from their heart." The poems are family and faith related, although a specific religion is not identified. I would recommend this book for more of an at-home read aloud rather than a classroom read aloud because of all of the issues covered such as a grandmother's illness. Further, the poems are very easy for children to relate to because they discuss common issues such as book reports and growing old. ( )

Age Appropriateness: Primary
Genre: Poetry, Multicultural
Media: Acylic
Review: This book is a good example of poetry. The poems in this book are actually prayers from a child's heart to God using rhythm and rhyme. The poems go through the daily life of a young girl with talks to God throughout her day. I am not sure exactly how this book could be used in a typical classroom because of praying, so I am not sure if that would cross the line as promoting it or not. It does not support an particular religion though, so it might be able to be used. This could most definitely be used in a Christian school though. ( )