We read a few excerpts from Albert Goldbarth’s otherwise EXTREMELY long poem, “Library.” Other poets have traditionally added their own books to the list that Goldbarth describes (here are a few examples), and so I asked students to brainstorm their own list of books to add to the library. I plan to return to these lists next week in the second part of our project.
Room 314
Brianna H.
This book is as big as a mountain.
This book is funny.
This book smells like fruit.
This book is as deep as a person’s heart.
This book is so old you can see mold.
This book is furry because my dog shedded on it.
This book gave me thousands of paper cuts.
This book was stuck on me like a tattoo.
This book reminds me of me!
Mimi D.
This book opens itself beautifully.
This book holds all my secrets.
This book flows like a beautiful dress.
This book cries out in pain.
This book smiles brightly to make people happy.
This book is like a Celtic knot.
This book lies in your heart.
Once this book was the most important thing in your possession.
This book shines brightly like the sun.
This book wails.
This book has feelings.
This book understands you, but doesn’t understand you at all.
This book is beautiful.
This book doesn’t believe in itself.
This book is like the spider in Charlotte’s Web.
This book is ugly.
This book is gorgeous.
This book is amazing.
This book is disgusting.
This book is distant.
This book is warm.
This book is PERFECT.
My Book
Yahaira E.
This book is the past.
This book never ends.
This book takes place on a ray of sunshine.
This book twists around like a candy cane.
This book is like a tomb that holds all your secrets.
Room 320
Ashley C.
This book takes place from an old forest to a lonely house.
This book helps me realize that love can be stupid.
This book will come true someday.
This book hurts one’s eyes.
This book is a lover of food.
This book was made with baby-painted hands.
This book is dark: no life but a tree.
This book is a lie and a life lesson.
This book is a sun: a light, bright.
This book is hidden, to a girl.
Dayana G.
This book defines food.
This book doesn’t help me work.
This book is scary.
This book is taking up time.
This book makes me hungry.
This book helps my friends.
This book looks real.
This book smells like coffee.
This book is yummy.
This book is like a cooking pan.
This book is done.
This book makes people hungry.
Gregory R.
This book is calling my name
This book found me
No one else can read it
but me
This book knocks me out
This book can fly
This book dives down
the water when no one
looks at him
This book can’t run but
can read
Room 322
Katherine V.
This book has all my friends’ names in it.
This book makes my little brother cry.
This book explains the world to me.
This book tells me about the past.
Lysa Marie A.
This book makes me sneeze with all its dust
This book has been held by heroes
This book makes memories
This book tells the future
Stuart PVB.
This book shows what is to come.
This book was my 5th-grade novel.
This book reminds me of my fish.
This book is what saved soldiers in the Civil War.
This book is a gift that was given to me.
This book saved lives but renewed mine.
This book is my old math book.
This book is and always has been my favorite book.
