Worlds Afire: Janeczko’s Poems of the Circus Fire of 1944
by - Written: Oct 06 '08
Product Rating:
Pros:
Engaging freestyle poetry, concrete description, true story
Cons: Tragic story, disturbing for younger children
The Bottom Line: Hartford, 1944. Barnum's Big Ten goes up in flames killing scores and injuring hundreds. Worlds Afire tells the story of those there in poetry.
keithpruitt's Full Review: Paul B. Janeczko - Worlds Afire: The Hartford Circ...
Children love the circus. This has been true every since Barnum began the greatest show on earth. But an event took place in Hartford, Connecticut in 1944 that changed the circus forever. A fire broke out (perhaps set) killing 167 people (mostly women and children) and injuring hundreds of others.
In 2004, poet Paul Janeczko wrote a series of freestyle poems featuring different perspectives of the events of that day. Worlds Afire remembers the people lost and those involved in the day's events. Part one of the book sets up the coming and anticipation of the circus from various viewpoints. Included is an inside look at those who work the circus and those who love its events. Part 2 actually describes the traumatic events of destruction again from different perspectives including even those who perished. The third part emphasizes the investigation and aftermath of the tragedy.
The poetry is all freestyle. In fact, most of it is more general prose created in verse form without much rhyme. Those who enjoy traditional poetry will find little consolation here. But the stories told through the poetry are engaging and enthralling. The target audience for World Afire is young adults (adolescents). And indeed younger children might find the language and content disturbing.
I began aware of Janeczko books in a presentation by Janet Allen at the Kentucky Reading Association Conference a couple of weeks ago. I ordered it from BN and devoured the 92 pages in less than an hour. It is an easy read. But Janeczko's choice of words paints such a vivid picture, complete with the smells, tastes, feeling and drama. The reader is transposed to 1944 in Hartford. You can see the first spark of the fire, the crazy man running from the scene, guilty of mass stupidity, perhaps even murder as he confesses to the crime. But not believed by officials, the case remains unsolved to this day.
My favorite of the poems in Janeczko's collection is Bill Conti: Parent. This is a poem that Janet uses in her class as one of her admit slips. The poem tells the story of one parent's bravery in helping save many children from a sure death that day. (It would take a bit for me to explain what that is all about.) The students are to read the poem and try to deduce some things about the context. She also includes the post to the book that explains a bit more about the events. Students have to try to piece together the actions of the event described. Then Allen introduces them to the book of poetry. The hook is already there before students even know they are about to read poetry.
I yanked Danny through the crowd. Packed together, except for those who fainted. Worlds Afire is an exceptional collection of poetry about a very sad event. Janeczko's writing is poignant, gripping, and filled with the visuals of Hartford. Many of the poems can be used for extension activities for comprehension strategy instruction, writing activities, genre examination, as mentor texts for writing freestyle poetry, and numerous other activities. Since the event actually took place, the book may also serve as a reference for historical studies. Books of poetry are especially hard sales for many teachers, but I find this collection to be engaging; students should concur. The book is highly recommended.
Worlds Afire Paul B. Janeczko Candlewick Press (this is the edition I have) 2004 edition (paper) 978-0-76363499-1
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