Summary
The book, Just Like Me, contains a series of poems that allows readers to explore the different lives of girls. The book follows and includes poems that share mini-stories of girl’s experiences. Some examples of the poems includes girls talking about their feelings and using colors to describe and depict their thoughts and emotions, girls sharing their love for their hometown, whether it is the city or the country, and girls expressing their love for their mothers.
Theme(s):
Identity, Community, Acceptance
Personal Response
I thought the book was beautiful. The book contained very detailed illustrations, using bright colors and imagery to transport me into the stories. The book’s use of poetry made each page feel personalized and unique. I like how the book followed the lives of different girls. The way the author used poetry in the book allowed me, the reader, to feel each character’s thoughts, feelings, and purpose. I was able to find myself and relate to the character’s mini-stories in this book.
Teaching Ideas
For teaching ideas, I would use this book when teaching students about poetry or when we are doing a poetry unit of learning. I would incorporate this book as a read aloud, pausing frequently to address rhymes, couplets, stanzas, etc. I would extend on this activity by allowing students to create a poem that includes a unique story about them or expresses how they feel about something. Another activity I would include is having students explain a story or idea, using only drawings to show it.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03
