Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices

by Paul Fleischman, Eric Beddows (Illustrator)

Overview

Written to be read aloud by two voices—sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneous—here is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrate the insect world, from the short life of the mayfly to the love song of the book louse. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise.

In this remarkable volume of poetry for two voices, Paul Fleischman verbally re-creates the "Booming/boisterious/joyful noise" of insects. The poems resound with the pulse of the cicada and the drone of the honeybee. Eric Beddows's vibrant drawings send each insect soaring, spinning, or creeping off the page in its own unique way.

Paul Fleischman has created not only a clear and fascinating guide to the insect world—from chrysalid butterflies to whirligig beetles—but an exultant celebration of life.

Supports Common Core State Standards

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780064460934
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	01/28/2005
Series:	A Charlotte Zolotow Bk.
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	26,932
Product dimensions:	0.00(w) x 0.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Paul Fleischman grew up in Santa Monica, California in a house with a printing press, a grand piano, a shortwave radio, and his father—children’s author Sid Fleischman. Playing recorder in early music consorts led to his books of verbal duets—I Am Phoenix, Joyful Noise (winner of the 1989 Newbery Medal), and Big Talk. His novels built from monologues include Bull Run, a 16-character account of the Civil War's first battle, and Seedfolks—the chronicle of the first year of a Cleveland community garden. His interest in theater inspired his young adult novels Mind's Eye, Seek, and Breakout, all of which revolve around the spoken word. His historical fiction includes Saturnalia and The Borning Room. He's written nonfiction and picture books as well, including Time Train, Weslandia, and Sidewalk Circus.

Alongside the Newbery Medal, he's won a Newbery Honor Book, the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, the PEN West Literary Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and most recently was a finalist for the 2003 National Book Award. He makes his home in the village of Aromas, California.

Read an Excerpt

Water Boatmen

"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
We're water boatmen
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
                                         up early, rowing
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
We're cockswain calling
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
                                         and oarsmen straining
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
and six man racing shell
rolled into one
                                         We're water boatmen
                                         "Stroke!"
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
worn-out from rowing
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
                                         Bound for the bottom
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
of this deep millpond
"Stroke!"                            "Stroke!"
                                         where we arrive
and shout the order
"Rest!"                               "Rest!"

Joyful Noise. Copyright © by Paul Fleischman. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

Editorial Reviews

Written to be read aloud by two readers, this Newbery Medal winner abounds with insect sounds and doings. Watch for the book lice whose taste ranges from Schiller to thrillers. 1992 (orig.

Children's Literature - Mary Quattlebaum