This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness
BIBLIOGRAPHY
PLOT SUMMARY
In this unique poetry book, Joyce Sidman writes about a sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Merz, and how she
decides to have her students write apology poems and in turn, have their responders write a poem back
in response to those apologies. This book is divided into parts, first part are the apology poems and
second part are the responses in forgiveness poems.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Joyce Sidman writes about a sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Merz, and how she has her students write poems
of apologies and gets the respondents to write a poem back to them. Mrs. Merz collects all of her
students' apology poems and forgiveness poems and cleverly places them together in the poetry book.
This unique book is cleverly written with a lot of honest clarity. This book will surely make you laugh
and cry.
Pamela Zagarenski’s illustrations are different on every page. Her illustrations pertain to the poems and
allow you to imagine the characters in the poems and understand how the characters felt when writing
these poems. The illustrations help you understand both sides of the stories of the situation.
I would recommend this story to fifth or sixth graders to learn how important it is to apologize and to
forgive.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
“Packed with the intensity of everyday pain and sorrow, kids and adults exchange the words that convey
grief, delight, love and acceptance of themselves and others.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“The poems successfully navigate the complicated terrain for those who seek forgiveness.”
– Publishers Weekly
"Sidman's collection could help young poets express themselves and learn from their mistakes."
– Book Links
"Delicate, mixed-media illustrations...add touches of whimsy and wit to these delightful missives."
– School Library Journal
CONNECTIONS
I would recommend this story to fifth or sixth graders to learn how important it is to apologize and to
forgive. This is a touching story that will surely make you laugh and cry.
AWARDS
Claudia Lewis Poetry Award
Cybils Poetry Award
Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book
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