Carver: a Life in Poems MODULE 4- BIOGRAPHICAL POETRY

Marilyn Nelson.2001. Carver, a Life in Poems. Asheville. Front Street. ISBN 1-886910-53-7. 

Carver, a Life in Poems is written by Marilyn Nelson.  In this book George Washington Carver’s life is presented.  Nelson puts these poems in chronological order of Carver’s life.  Most of the poems are written about the accomplishments of George Washington Carver. 

The poems are written in free verse form.  These poems are not simple verses they are written for intermediate readers.  They are complex verses discussing Carver's feelings throughout his life.  The poems are accompanied by photographs of Carver, his family, and friends.  The photos are very old fashion looking and are all in black and white.  There is a brief description of each photo by it explaining what the picture contains. This book does more than just tell the biography of George Washing Carver’s life, it shows readers the powerful presence of his life and the impact that he made during it.  Carver was mostly known for his agricultural work as a botanist. However, in this book you learn that he was so much more.  Carver was also a painter, musician, and a teacher/researcher at Tuskegee Institute during Booker T. Washington’s tenure. Carver also was dedicated to improving the lives of others; he especially helped the poor black farmers in the South. 

I would not say that this book is practically appealing to young readers and it does not have the quality to hold their attention.  Children will more than likely read this book for a class room assignment. Children will not be able to relate to experiences in this book.  The time period that Carver lived in was completely different than today.  Children might enjoy reading about the difficult life style but will not relate. With that being said children will extend and enrich both their insight and knowledge with reading this book.  They will gain a lot of knowledge about George Washington Carver and his life accomplishments.

Overall the poems were of good quality and told an important story.  Students will gain good knowledge of this amazing man through reading this book.  This may not be a book that children will select themselves but with the help of a teacher or librarian's encouragement children will find the book to be a very good experience.

The poem that I have selected to share with you is titled Drifter.  This is just one poem that gives readers some idea of Carver's life.  All the poems stand alone but when put together they create a chronological story of George Washington Carvers life. 

Drifter

Something says find out

why rain falls, what makes corn proud

and squash so humble, the questions

call like a train whistle so at fourteen,

fifteen, eighteen, nineteen still on half-fare,

over the receding landscapes the perceiving self

stares back from the darkening window.

Classroom/Library Connection

Recommended audience:  Ages 12 and up

Before reading:  Before reading the poem Drifter I would have a discussion with the children about who George Washington Carver is and what accomplishments he made in his life. 

During reading:  I would read the poem slowly so they can truly appreciate the poem and understand what the poem is saying to the reader. 

Reread the poem: I would then discuss the poem with the children and ask them what they think it means.  I would write subjects on the board that they share.  I would divide them up into small groups and have them do research behind who George Washington Carver is and some of his accomplishments.  Each group would then share some piece of information that they learned about Carver.   

After reading: After reading them a sample of this book I would give each child their own copy of Carver and as an assignment everyone would read the book.  After they have completed reading the book each child would write a short review containing a summary on the book and their opinion of the book stating if they liked it or not.