Keepers

by John Frank, Ken Robbins (Photographer)

THE GLEAM OF A GOLD NUGGET…the fire in a precious gem…the geometry of a seashell…a fossil, a baseball card. Treasures all. John Frank’s poetry about the things we collect – at the beach, in the attic, in the mountains and desert, at flea markets – is a treasure itself. With handsome alluring photographs of collections and collectibles, this is a rare find – a keeper - to read and rediscover again and again.
Keepers is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! You get to see such simple pictures transformed into beautiful stories. I definitely would suggest this book to my friends. Plus it helps the author is from where I use to live.

[Media Lab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keepers by John Frank

Rather than an anthology from various authors, Keepers: Treasure-Hunt Poems is a collection of short poems written entirely by John Frank. Anybody who has ever owned a secret lock box or treasure chest full of trinkets & mementos will be drawn right back into childhood with this collection. John Frank finds beauty in all the things children love to hold dear and collect -- fossils, glass jewels, tiny toys, medals and unusual objects.

This collection can be appropriate for all grade levels as a read aloud; students can be directed to pay close attention to specific aspects of the writer’s craft, such as sensory images, rhythm and even structure. Many of the poems rhyme, sometimes in couplets, other times in alternating lines, between stanzas or not at all. Most of the poems are short enough that they can be pulled aside for small mini lessons; whether the children will fall in love with this style or not, I’m not sure, but it seems appropriate for older students and adults who can fondly reminisce as they thumb through the pages.

I found the book darling, but I could see how many people might not be drawn to its style, which is a much slower, melodic pace than most children’s poetry books that can be upbeat, fun & silly (which I also love). I would introduce the book alongside other classic children’s poetry to expose students to various styles; this collection also introduces the idea that any subject no matter how small or seemingly insignificant can be worthwhile and hold value to its author. These poems do a good job of taking the reader into the author’s world and point of view, a view that seems very in tune to the sense of wonderment and curiosity that children have. Also, these poems show how an author can draw out an emotional connection to the subject or object being discussed with his / her audience.

The real treat is the photography. Taken by Ken Robbins, the photos correspond to each of the poems. I am not sure if some of the poems would be able to stand alone without the visual props but the close-ups really make the text come alive and really stress the importance of visualizing the text as a writer & reader to communicate effectively. I would probably rate this book closer to a 3.5 but thought it could use the boost and felt it was better than a 3.

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally rated G- by Julie Swartzentruber
Thirty poems describe the types of treasures a reader might find in five types of locations – beach, attic, attic, flea market, mountains or desert. While the poems themselves are quite readable (despite some awkward rhymes like “patiently/melody”) and have some inspired images (e.g., an abalone shell as “melted rainbow”), poignancy (“Medal”), and word-play (“Model Train” on p. 52), the highlight of the volume is Robbins’ crisp, bright photographs for about half the poems. Many are full-page while others are more “decorative,” but all bring life to the objects depicted in the poems. (Unfortunately, there’s no illustration of “tourmalines,” p. 41, or “turitella,” p. 20.) A “mountainous bra” and “long pink panties” are mentioned on p. 23 (no illustration). An author’s foreword describes the impact of *how * something is found on its perceived value, but I wish there were also a note explaining the author-illustrator connection. Which came first, for example: the driftwood bird on p. 18 or the poem about it? Definitely consider this volume if poetry is a ‘best-seller’ in your library.

[Zach Naegele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of poetry that focuses on different treasures that a person may find. The poems are broken into categories of where you may find the treasures, such as the beach, attic, mountains, desert, flea market, and below the ground. The beach treasures focus on stones, shells, and drift wood that come from the ocean. The attic focuses on clothes, dolls, and collectables that may be packed away. The mountains and deserts are conjoined together and include stones and fossils. The flea market includes poems about cars, comic books, and stamps. The below the ground category has poems about old coins and arrow heads. Overall the poems were interesting in the way they described the different objects.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This rhyming poem book looks at the joys of finding treasures at the beach, in the attic, in the mountains and desert, at the flea market, and beneath the ground. Almost realistic colored photographs both enhance and detract from the 30 short poems (the doll and the puppet photos were a bit scary). This is additional purchase for libraries who need more poetry books.

Positively reviewed in Booklist and Publishers Weekly.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few of the poems are quite good, but the rest are "just there" and I'm a little puzzled at some of the pages that have no illustrations/photographs accompaniment -- there does not seem to be rhyme or reason for the choices of illustrations vs. no illustrations...

[Denni · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book of short poems by John Frank. Some of them are really great, but others not so much.