BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 2004. WHAT IS GOODBYE? Illustrated by Raul Colon. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Jerilyn and Jesse’s older brother, Jaron, suddenly dies, and through their alternating voices in poems, their grief is explored. The poems are chronological, starting with Jaron’s sudden death; each sibling deals with the death differently, Jesse through anger and acting out, and Jerilyn through tears and heartache.
Nikki Grimes brings the voices of each sibling to life, and through them, their parents’ emotions are explored as well. Each pair of poems is titled the same; many of Jesse’s poems rhyme, while most of Jerilyn’s are free verse. The many stages of grief are explored poignantly, and we see the family change over the year the poems take place. The pain and loneliness of the family are successfully presented through poems such as, “Rush—Jesse”,”Forget your tears/ You’ve cried enough./ You’ve lost someone./ We know that’s tough,/ but now it’s time/ to move along.”/ They’re telling me/ my heart is wrong/ for hurting past/ the date they set?/ Well, I’m not ready/ to move on yet. The coupling poem, “Rush—Jerilyn”, I hold the question in,/ like a deep breath,/ till I turn blue. Mommy,/ When will you look up?/ When will you see/ you’ve still got Jesse and me?/ Please hurry./ We’re lonely here/ without you. The last poem in the book, “Photograph” is a poem for two voices, and alternates with Jesse and Jerilyn showing how they are now a new family, but one that has become strong even without their brother.
The book is illustrated by Raul Colon, who has used subdued colors to represent the family members, resonating with feelings and emotions. The paintings do not appear on every page, but instead are used just enough to carry the flow of the poems forward.
A deeply meaningful book for anyone who has experienced the grief of losing a loved one, WHAT IS GOODBYE? shows that poetry can be a powerful release of emotions.
Grimes, Nikki. 2004. WHAT IS GOODBYE? Illustrated by Raul Colon. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Jerilyn and Jesse’s older brother, Jaron, suddenly dies, and through their alternating voices in poems, their grief is explored. The poems are chronological, starting with Jaron’s sudden death; each sibling deals with the death differently, Jesse through anger and acting out, and Jerilyn through tears and heartache.
Nikki Grimes brings the voices of each sibling to life, and through them, their parents’ emotions are explored as well. Each pair of poems is titled the same; many of Jesse’s poems rhyme, while most of Jerilyn’s are free verse. The many stages of grief are explored poignantly, and we see the family change over the year the poems take place. The pain and loneliness of the family are successfully presented through poems such as, “Rush—Jesse”,”Forget your tears/ You’ve cried enough./ You’ve lost someone./ We know that’s tough,/ but now it’s time/ to move along.”/ They’re telling me/ my heart is wrong/ for hurting past/ the date they set?/ Well, I’m not ready/ to move on yet. The coupling poem, “Rush—Jerilyn”, I hold the question in,/ like a deep breath,/ till I turn blue. Mommy,/ When will you look up?/ When will you see/ you’ve still got Jesse and me?/ Please hurry./ We’re lonely here/ without you. The last poem in the book, “Photograph” is a poem for two voices, and alternates with Jesse and Jerilyn showing how they are now a new family, but one that has become strong even without their brother.
The book is illustrated by Raul Colon, who has used subdued colors to represent the family members, resonating with feelings and emotions. The paintings do not appear on every page, but instead are used just enough to carry the flow of the poems forward.
A deeply meaningful book for anyone who has experienced the grief of losing a loved one, WHAT IS GOODBYE? shows that poetry can be a powerful release of emotions.
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