My kids (Age:7&10) and I all enjoyed this book very muchsince we received in the mail from Amazon. Every night, we take turnreading to each other -- usually I go first and then the kids. Thekids enjoy all the funny ones and the wonderful drawings that Ashley had created. This is a really great book. My daughter even recognized a few of these poems as her teacher had shared with her class early this year.

This latest and last living collection of William Stafford's work covers the past 20 odd years of his poetry as well as giving the reader some new, never before published work including the poem he wrote on the day that he died. This collection gives us an overview of Stafford's poetry that reveals him to be a man who is both interested and amused by the world around him. The book is divided into four sections, each of which is full of intelligent and meditative work reminiscent of the best of E.B. White's essays. While White was an essayist (not just a children's writer), and Stafford a poet, both men revel in unraveling the intricacies of the world using nothing more than the simple information provided to them in their daily lives. In "Stories From Kansas", Stafford simplifies the voracious egos of humankind into silly yet proud tufts of grass, "Little bunches of/grass pretend they are bushes/that will never bow./ They bow..." "The Way I! ! t Is" is reccomended reading for those who like a little zen with their humility or a little salt with their watermelon.

(excerpted from "Sic Vice & Verse" review by Carlye Archibeque.)

When I read the poems of William Stafford, it feels less like reading and more like "listening." There's something about his voice that calls me to attention, that makes me notice not only the words on the page but all the sounds that attend my mornings: the return of the finches to the Hawthorne tree, for example, or the rustle of wind in the new cherry blossoms. As I re-read some of my favorite poems from The Way it Is, I find myself in a strange situation; I feel as though I have traded places with the poet, "partly propped up" on the sofa in his den at 4 a.m., where he wrote every day until he died in 1993. Perhaps it is because he often tells us so much about the writing process itself; Stafford's poems are imbued with that particular room; they arise from that private space he allows us to enter for a few moments at a time. He often brings in the same details over and over, the mundane yet transcendent things he notices in the early hours: sunlight moving across a wood floor, trees "still trying to arch as far as they could," the houses that "waited, white, blue, gray..." The things themselves, as in the poetry of William Carlos Williams, become the containers of ideas, thought, emotion. The diction is simple, the rhythm a comfort; before we know it, we've been lured into a place of transcendence without even trying.
The sun becomes a constant companion to the writing act, a kind of muse that illuminates the hand at work. For instance, the last poem he wrote, just hours before he died, begins with the line: "Well, it was yesterday./Sunlight used to follow my hand." Towards the end, he reiterates: "I listened and put my hand/out in the sun again. It was all easy." Perhaps the knowledge that these are the last lines Stafford will write adds to their poignancy (that hand will soon be stilled, in darkness), but I feel privileged, every time I open this book, to be in the presence of a voice that speaks so simply and yet with such passion. Because of the sheer number of poems and writings Stafford left behind, there are bound to be some clunkers, some lines that seem overly simplistic and sentimental, but the force of Stafford's voice overcomes these occasional lapses. The Way it Is is a "must have" for the writer's library; crack open the book at the start of your own writing session and you'll remember why you ever wanted to be a writer in the first place.

Habibi, by Naomi Shihab Nye, is a well-written and fascinating book! Habibi is about a 15-year-old girl named Liyana who moves with her father, Poppy, her mother, and younger brother, Rafik from St. Louis, Missouri to Jerusalem. There she meets her father's relatives, whom she has never met, including her grandmother, Sitti, who teaches her many things. At first, Liyana struggles to fit in, in a country where not many speak English; (including her relatives) but she makes some new friends and makes the decision on whether she would want to move back to St. Louis or stay in her new home in Jerusalem. Habibi, is an excellent book because not only is it well written and captivating, while reading it, you learn more about a Arabian culture, which is incredibly different from many of our own. You learn about different types of food eaten there, and the customs and rituals; as well as the religious customs. Not only does the book teaching you things, also when you read the book, you are transformed into Liyana's life; and you feel like you're the one who is struggling. This makes the book even more engaging and fascinating. Habibi, is a fabulous book! Although, this book is great in many ways, some people might disagree because it is unexciting for the first 20 pages or so. Despite this, if you continue reading it, it is much more captivating for the rest of the book. Another reason why others might dislike is if they are not enticed by learning about another culture. Even though the book is educational, the author writes it so it is not dull and tedious, but you always know what is happening and going on in a brief way. Even though these points are all true, the book over-all is a great page-turner, and extremely impressive. I especially recommend it for all boys and girl from age's 12- adult.

Habibi, by Naomi Nye, is a wonderful, well-written book. I had to read this for school, and I was reluctant at first, but when I picked it up I couldn't stop reading! It centers around Liyana Abboud, a half-American half-Palestinian girl growing up in St. Louis. When her father Poppy tells the family that they are moving to Jerusalem, Liyana is anything but happy. She is an outsider in her new school and her entire family in Jerusalem speaks a foreign language she doesn't understand. Then she meets Omer, a Jewish boy, and begins a forbidden friendship with him. Other characters in this book include Khaled and Nadine, two children living in a neighboring refugee camp; Rafik, Liyana's younger brother; and Sitti, Liyana's grandmother who speaks no English.

I love the way this book was written. It reads like one long, flowing poem (and the short chapters don't hurt, either). The style is so new and refreshing. One of the sentences reads: "In St. Louis, Liyana's room had been painted a deep, delicious color called 'raisin.'" This is an excellent, original book that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

However, some of the issues in Habibi deal with the ongoing hatred and violence between the Palenstinians and Jews, so take that into mind. But if you're looking for action and adventure, I would recommend another book.

All in all, Habibi is a wonderful, fresh book that I think deserves to be read.

I just read this book - as a Social Worker who has been involved with Race Relations, and has a desire for peace. I absolutely loved it! I picked it up because of the title, and finished it in two days (I did other things, too) - I just couldn't let it set. It shares valuable insight that every child, every person who has wondered about the conflict in the Holy Land, anyone who is curious, or who has dealt with breaking social barriers or been held accountable to old-fashioned, prejudiced ideals. It teaches a good bit about moving to a different culture, and introduces life in that area of the world. It is a good teaching tool for younger folks, and a good reminder for the slightly more experienced.

I had to read several multicultural books for a college class in children's literature. I found this book at the library. I think it would be a nice book for children in 2nd grade to read. Not a lot of text.

I remember a time when poems were supposed to be intelligent and well-written and creative. What has happened, that this lazy, self-indulgent, unimaginative writer has received even the lukewarm acclaim that she has?

It is quite difficult to get through the work of many contemporary poets. So many write of themselves only, and have a tendency to go on and on...writing from the heart is one thing, but to rant incessantly is quite another. As a children's poet, I teach the importance of observing, valuing, cherishing the world around, to see it with "new eyes", and to feel free to share what you discover. It was always apparent to me that the poet's job is to "make new" what is usually thought of as ordinary, to help us to reconnect with the world and each other. This may sound idealistic, but these are the poets/the poetry I find to be most effective (effective in stirring emotion). And Ms. Nye's poetry is so effective...she finds the sublime, the painful, the curious in everything and everyone around her. THAT is poetry! I am so happy that she is around to remind us of it!! We need more poets/teachers like her...

Naomi Shihab Nye is still able to find greatness in the small things. Her new book of poems, "Fuel,"reminds the reader that there poetry is all around us, on our street, in our children and even in a garden of beans. Nye's poetry is a work of surprising images and deceptive simplicity. In "Alphabet" we watch as older residents of her neighborhood who are "going up/into the air." Her writing is poignant and clears the air of stuffy, undecipherable, ego poetry. It is obvious with poems like "Messenger" and "Hidden" is that Nye's goal is to write accessible and enjoyable poetry for her readers. Nye mixes humor with clarity and subtle observations to create a grounded book of poems about life and living. "Fuel" shows us that Nye still has many stories left to tell and she has done so exquisitely in this collection.

She writes as if she's full of love and warmth, when in fact she's suffused with hatred and bigotry. She's the biggest phony in poetry. The real purpose of this book is to turn you against jews.

I got this book from a penpal with a personal dedication of Naomi Shihab Nye herself. My friend wrote me, that the author was quite excited, that a guy from Germany will read her poetry. Well, the guy from Germany did read it for several times now and this book becomes better and better the more you read it. I hoped to meet Naomi Nye at Madhatter's Tea House in her home town San Antonio, Texas in October 1996. Unfortunately I didn't meet her there, so now I hope, she'll read these words of Kai from Germany!

I like poetry, but the poems in this book are all written in the same style. There is no creativity shown, and no real variation. I have yet to find a person who liked this book. "Jump city", the poem from which the title was drawn, is the second worst poem I have ever read.

I suppose the reason I really didn't like this book was because I am not a fan of peotry. I prefer fiction novels, mysteries, adventures, etc. I did however appreciate the whole background of why the book was put together.

I enjoyed this books unique theme of giving two sides on the same topic. There is a male and a female speaker in a poem inspired about the same thing. The most interesting part of the book was to see how two people can thing of things in such a different way. At times when I couldn't identify with one, I could identify with the other. The great thing was when I could understand both and think, hey that is a great way to look at it. I felt that this book really caused me to open my mind and not to expect things so much. I also like the great emotions that were pulled out of me while reading the book. There were topics such as death, fathers, hospitals, relaxation, childhood, beliefs, common day existance, and objects commonly thought of as irrevelent. The fact the the book is made up of poetry also gave it chances to be open and the reader to find their own meanings. I felt that I could understand this poetry and that it is current. It was published in 1996, that is probally why. The poems also flow smoothly in general and have come sort of conclusive meaning. Other poetry is harder for me to read because it is too whimsical and I guess and comtemplate the meaning too much and never figure it out. The two views on the same subject seems to set this book apart from others. I think that it is great that it gives two ways for a person to look at something. When I write, I write as a matter of factly and a this is the only way solution. I enjoyed the legnth of the poems in this book because they were catchy and descriptive, yet not overbearing. One of my favorite poems in there is titled Conversation With A Fireman From Brooklyn. It envoked so many emotions from me. A part in it says, "Already he's telling me he dosen't mind women firefighters, but what/they look like after fighting a fire, well/they loose all respect." The male speaker goes on to act as if the only thing good about a women is how they look with a stay in the kitchen attitude. As a female I was disturbed by it. There are also great looks back at childhood. In the poem Dark Song a great part says, "Don't be scared of the dark:/ all night is the biggest shadow/ little kid in the biggest shadow. The book also includes interesting titles that made we wonder and keep reading. Such titles are Black Patent Leather Shoes, The Locker Room, and The Pyramid of Khufu. The whole idea behind the book I feel A little Jumpy Around You is a great example to readers and writers everywhere. Again, I would like to stress how much I enjoyed the different speakers in the poems, the giving of more than one view on the same subject, messages that are clear to understand, but you can interpert them in your own way, creative similies and metaphors that even youth can pick up on, modern subject matter, and poems that are a nice legnth to keep me motivated. The only dissappointment was that all the poems seemed to include a few choppy lines and I feel that there should have been different rhythms and structures used.