Rosenthal, Betsy R. 2012. Looking for Me. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Based on the real stories of her mother and many aunts and uncles, Betsy Rosenthal tells a story in verse of her mother, Edith - the fourth child in a large, Jewish, Depression-era family in Baltimore,
Family Portrait, Baltimore, 1936
We're lined up:
girl boy, girl boy, girl boy, girl boy, girl boy
and in the middle of us all, Dad,
who ordered us to smile
right before the Brownie clicked,
standing stiff as a soldier
no smile on his face,
and Mom's beside him,
a baby in her arms
and in her rounded belly
another one,
just a trace.
Girl, boy, girl, boy, count them up - twelve children in a row house, sleeping three to a bed, always short of money, new clothes and food. Edith's teacher asks her to write about her family, but she doesn't write about herself. After all, who is she in this great big family? Looking for Me chronicles Edith's quest to find individualism in a time when, seemingly, there was no time for such frivolous thoughts. Rosenthal's poetic style varies from free verse, to concrete to metered rhymes. The subject matter varies as well - following the ups and downs of a year in Edith's life, which, while harsh and disciplined, also held moments of great joy and fun,
They're Lucky I Found Them
Lenny, Sol, and Jack
said Mom left them sleeping
on the sofa bed,
or so she thought,
and ran to the store.
But after she left,
they started to bounce
and bounce
and bounce some more.
Then the bed closed up
and they were stuck
until I cam home
and changed their luck.
Some poems are heart-wrenching depictions of life as an 11-year-old Jewish girl who has been touched by death, poverty, meanness, bigotry, and indifference. Others are uplifting,
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Hello, I think your work is wonderful! I love the wool purse, and the flower is gorgeous. I also wish my craft room looked half as neat as yours! Several bombs have gone off in mine, and I've yet to clear through the debris!!
Like the previous comment, my little craft corner is a disaster right now and I am so envious of your beautiful space. It gives me some inspiration, though!
You have done a super job, I have a few of these cork boards lying around and if you don't mind I think I will take a lesson from you and do the same!
The bag is great and the lining fabric you chose is perfect for it. Love the corkboard idea, too!
lovely corkboard, claire!
i'd love to make one of these for our living area. i have a feeling it would help me be more organised if i posted little reminders to myself on one of these.
happy easter!
I'm getting ready to make a couple of lattice boards out of old corkboards--thanks for your instructions! You helped clarify my mind as to how to go about it!
Like the notice board... It is such a good spot for inspirational pictures!
I am madly in love with your new desk! and I love your blog, and your work is wonderful! Well done! :o)
Love your beautifully organised craft supplies! The cork board is great, and the collection of wicker and other storage boxes is lovely on display on the shelves.