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Bob Raczka
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Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems Hardcover – March 8, 2016

by Bob Raczka (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 90 ratings
See all formats and editions
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Who says words need to be concrete? This collection shapes poems in surprising and delightful ways.

Concrete poetry is a perennially popular poetic form because they are fun to look at. But by using the arrangement of the words on the page to convey the meaning of the poem, concrete or shape poems are also easy to write! From the author of the incredibly inventive Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word comes another clever collection that shows kids how to look at words and poetry in a whole new way.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 4
  5. Lexile measure
    580L
  6. Dimensions
    6.88 x 0.36 x 9.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Roaring Brook Press
  8. Publication date
    March 8, 2016
  9. ISBN-10
    1626722366
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1626722361
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—At the start of this collection, Raczka notes that he likes to think of poems as "word paintings," and he demonstrates this philosophy to marvelous effect. In each of his 21 concrete poems, he groups the words in a shape that complements or emphasizes the meaning or central concept. Raczka goes even further, playfully arranging the letters in the one-word titles of his poems as well. Even the table of contents is constructed to resemble a table. The result is a fun and clever collection that is sure to inspire young poets. While short, the poems are by turns amusing and thoughtful and make excellent use of figurative language devices. A selection about the Big Dipper includes a metaphor that describes the constellation as "a vessel of stars, my brim overflowing with night." Another offering depicts a thunderstorm as "a cloud tantrum." A few layouts may test some readers, such as one about a home run in which one whole line is printed backward, but most students will enjoy the challenge. VERDICT This winning assortment should find a place in most libraries.—Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Abington School District, PA

Review

A 2016 NCTE Notable Poetry Book

"Kids will want to wade deeply into this marvelous, winning mix-up." -Kirkus, starred review

"This is arguably Raczka's best poetry work to date." -Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This winning assortment should find a place in most libraries" -School Library Journal, starred review

"Graphic design meets riddle meets visual wordplay in this collection of sturdy and joyful perspectives on the ordinary stuff of the world."-The Horn Book, starred review

"When this title is paired with Raczka's other collection, Lemonade: and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word, even the poetry-resistant kids are bound to discover something to delight them. " -BCCB, starred review

"Aspiring wordsmiths should find plenty of inspiration here." -Booklist

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Roaring Brook Press; First Edition (March 8, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1626722366
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1626722361
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 580L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.88 x 0.36 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 90 ratings

About the author

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Bob Raczka

Bob Raczka

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My wife Amy and I are the co-creators of three masterpieces: Robert, Carl and Emma. We live in Glen Ellyn, Illinois with our 10 year-old mutt, Rufus, who is also a piece of work.

I was born in Chicago, the oldest of four boys, and grew up in the suburb of Des Plaines. As a kid I loved to draw. I was also into making balsa wood airplanes and model rockets. My favorite sport has always been baseball.

Bob Raczka's Art Adventures is my ongoing nonfiction series published by The Millbrook Press. There are currently 14 books in the series. The latest, called Before They Were Famous: How Seven Artists Got Their Start, is a Junior Library Guild selection.

I've also written a series of four books about the seasons, published by Albert Whitman: Spring Things, Summer Wonders, Who Loves the Fall? and Snowy Blowy Winter.

My current love is writing children's poetry. My poetry titles include:

• Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

• Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word (Roaring Brook)

• Fall Mixed Up (Carolrhoda)

• Joy in Mudville (Carolrhoda)

• Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole (Carolrhoda)

• Presidential Misadventures: Poems that Poke Fun at the Man in Charge (Roaring Brook)

For more information, please visit my website at bobraczka.com

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
90 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K.W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring young, creative writers
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is fantastic. I've used it with young students (Grades K-2) to help them get started on their own writing.
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pansylady223
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome new book!!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
My granddaugher is 8 and read this to me when the book came. She absolutely LOVED it. She kept looking and the cover and said three times, "This book should get an award!" This book is much more clever than his previous book Lemonade. (a great book but difficult to read) I would highly recommend this book to get kids interested in poetry. Good spin off for a lesson to have kids write their own poem in Raczka's model.
5 people found this helpful
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Lindsey Gemmer
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect poem book
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
My students loved this book! And so did I! It’s such a great way to teach concrete poems.
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Tamara D Newell
4.0 out of 5 stars Mentor text for writing
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
Adorable and creative concrete (shape) poems. Super short read, but one I’d definitely use as a model for writing for my classroom.
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Suzy
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so great! I love using it with my students when ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is so great! I love using it with my students when I teach poetry. The author is so creative in writing these concrete poems.
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SM
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Exactly what I needed to teach my students how to write concrete poems!
One person found this helpful
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Jeri Popma
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Concrete Example
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
These are great examples of concrete poems to share with my third graders.
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Jenny Gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2017
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It was what I expected.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Milca S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful poetry
Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love poetry but cannot write concrete/shape poems! So much thought goes into these simple looking word play. Fun to read and study. My students also enjoyed perusing the book during our poetry unit
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Mle Sophie T.
5.0 out of 5 stars sehr kreativ!
Reviewed in Germany on October 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
Genau was ich erwartet habe. Sehr anregend. Ich würde es sogar im Unterricht benutzen.
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