A 15-year-old girl named Jessie voices typicaland the playful layout and ingenious graphics extend the wry humor.
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Sep 24, 2011
Brandy
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At random, I pulled this book off the shelf because it looked very interesting.
I think that it's a good concept, and I loved the typography of the poems, but I think the book fell a little short.
Blue Lipstick is a book of poetry from the point of view of a teenage girl. A simple look at her daily life, but what I found the book lacking, oddly enough, was creativity. The typography aside, there wasn't anything really special about the poems. They were the media, stereoty More...
I think that it's a good concept, and I loved the typography of the poems, but I think the book fell a little short.
Blue Lipstick is a book of poetry from the point of view of a teenage girl. A simple look at her daily life, but what I found the book lacking, oddly enough, was creativity. The typography aside, there wasn't anything really special about the poems. They were the media, stereoty More...
Oct 12, 2009
Katie
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I loved the creativity that comes with writing concrete poetry and Blue Lipstick is exemplary of this. The story of a teenager sorting her way through high school is brilliantly told through a variety of styles, shapes and fonts. As in all concrete poetry, the form of the writing tells the story along with the words themselves. What I really liked about Blue Lipstick in particular is that the author never strays from the story in order to include a poem. With each new narrative poem, the sto
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Aug 18, 2011
Trinity
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Hey, everyone I just finished John Grandits' book "Blue Lipstick". The book was easy to read and quick, but it was fun and made you want to continue. The reason why I was attracted to this book was because of the fact it was all concrete poems. There is not many books out there where the words create the pictures. My favorite poem was "Point A to Point B". I think the most creative way Grandits formatted the words was in the poem "Go Look in the Mirror!”. The story of th
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Dec 05, 2011
Kristen
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Blue Lipstick is a really cute book that is all concrete poems. Every poem tells about a girl named Jessie’s life. It describes school, looks, sports, music, and other issues in young girls’ lives. All the poems are in the shape of the topic that the poem is describing. There are different ads and activities that go along with the poems.
I loved this book. The poems were all really clever. Students could really relate to what Jessie is going through at her school. My favorite More...
I loved this book. The poems were all really clever. Students could really relate to what Jessie is going through at her school. My favorite More...
Jun 06, 2010
Barky
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Concrete poems are poems that embody the shape of what they describe. The words are arranged or drawn or somehow visually (as well as textually) represent what they’re about. Grandits writes from the point of view of Jessie, a high school teenager, and each of these poems describes in some way what her life is like. There’s a poem called “Bad Hair Day,” and another that charts her “Emotional Day” and another about a pep rally where the cheerleaders are drawn in words: stupid little skirt, pom
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Nov 09, 2010
Michele
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Interest level: 7th +
Reading level: easy
Genre: poetry, concrete poems, shape poems, humor
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Even those of you who don't care too much about poetry will enjoy this short and hilarious book of concrete poems by George Grandits (he also wrote "Technically, It's Not My Fault", another book of poetry).
Concrete poems take the shape of the subject they describe so theyíre a lot of fun. For example, in the poem called "Allergic to Time", t More...
Reading level: easy
Genre: poetry, concrete poems, shape poems, humor
Read-alikes:
Even those of you who don't care too much about poetry will enjoy this short and hilarious book of concrete poems by George Grandits (he also wrote "Technically, It's Not My Fault", another book of poetry).
Concrete poems take the shape of the subject they describe so theyíre a lot of fun. For example, in the poem called "Allergic to Time", t More...
Jul 31, 2010
Lindsey
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Grandits uses concrete poetry to tell the tale of a high school girl called Jesse. She's a vegetarian, has issues with jocks, cheerleaders, and riding the bus, but broadens her perspective on a lot through her first year in high school. A lot of the poems are really funny. Like Grandits first book from Robert's point of view, Jesse's little brother, the poems tell a story, but some of them could work alone if you don't like the entire collection. I think this collection is more wordy and difficu
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Nov 21, 2009
(NS) Mary
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Recommended for Ages 10 and up
Kirkus Reviews
After suffering indignities at the pen of little brother Robert (Technically, It's Not My Fault, 2004), big sister Jessie gets her chance. In full adolescent voice, she talks of the disastrous day she dyed her hair blue, the misery of pep rallies, the futility of talking to grownups and the path of a secret. As in the previous volume, the poems are shaped by their subjects, so in "The Bowling Party," the reader gets a bird's-eye v More...
Kirkus Reviews
After suffering indignities at the pen of little brother Robert (Technically, It's Not My Fault, 2004), big sister Jessie gets her chance. In full adolescent voice, she talks of the disastrous day she dyed her hair blue, the misery of pep rallies, the futility of talking to grownups and the path of a secret. As in the previous volume, the poems are shaped by their subjects, so in "The Bowling Party," the reader gets a bird's-eye v More...
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Mar 19, 2010
Wiola703
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This book was great, The whole way it's written just pulled me in, even though it was a bit confusing.. This book was about a girl named Jessie, who was telling about her struggles through middle school life, about cheerleading and adults always looking for you to do your best. I can really relate to this because I have been through the stuff Jessie has been through, even though I don't have a annoying little brother ;) Right now I'm reading the sequel, "It's not my fault" Which is her
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Mar 23, 2011
Dan
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Grandits offers a unique set of poetry told from the mind of a high school-aged girl named Jessie. The subjects of her poems cover a fairly typical range of topics pertaining to growing up, coping with an annoying little brother, and trying to survive high school. Grandits presents this material, however, in a very atypical way. These fine examples of concrete poetry often demands a physical interaction with its reader as the words twist and flip across the pages in order to visually convey the
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Nov 15, 2009
(NS) Laura
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This is a book that has a collection of poems about a teenage girl. Jessie is a 15-year-old girl that shares her teenage concerns. She uses her voice to generate poems that are unique and humorous, which make them enjoyable for middle school students and high school students to read. Some of her poems include topics including playing volleyball, her relationship with her younger brother, trying new hairstyles, wearing make-up, and playing a musical instrument. Jessie enjoys writing her own poetr
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Mar 13, 2011
Christina
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This poetic book tells the story from Jessie's point of view as she lives her day to day life. The words are transformed into pictures forcing the reader to turn the book, and even use a mirror, in order to read it. The stories/poems range from a typical day in Jessie's life, to discussing playing guitar versus cello, to writing poetry for her cat. Two poems are centered around the "wall" that she has built and who she allows inside them. She faces the same thing all teenages girls do
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May 04, 2011
Alexandria
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Jessie, the main character, lives a poetic life (literally in the form of poems here) and this book is kind of like a look into her journal. From what I gathered she is the sister of one of the main characters from the authors previous book. I only got so far in the book before I just couldn't read it anymore. it's amazing what can be called poetry in this day in age anyway. I'm not saying I'm a literary master, I'm just saying that if I feel that reading a certain book is a waste of time it mus
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Apr 15, 2010
Robert
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John Grandits, Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems (Clarion, 2007)
I might have ended up liking this book better had I known from the outset it's the sequel to another Grandits book (which I haven't read), but I don't know about that. I have a tendency to be very touchy when it comes to the subject of poetry (after all, I wrote the stuff for more years than I care to count), and the plethora of young-adult-oriented “verse novels” in recent years has in general, when I have encountered them, More...
I might have ended up liking this book better had I known from the outset it's the sequel to another Grandits book (which I haven't read), but I don't know about that. I have a tendency to be very touchy when it comes to the subject of poetry (after all, I wrote the stuff for more years than I care to count), and the plethora of young-adult-oriented “verse novels” in recent years has in general, when I have encountered them, More...
Jun 03, 2011
bethanne
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Found this book at my husband's bookstore and couldn't resist the price. It tells the story of a high school girl who deals with her life. Okay, what does this have to do with poetry? The book is visually stunning. Each poem presented is set in different typefaces and different layouts. It's a feast for the eyes. Some of the poems may be hard to read, but the visually stunning pages are worth a look. I'd recommend this book of poems, especially "PurrVerse", which is a loving ode to the
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May 23, 2009
Anna
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I loved this book and I totally picked it up randomly at the library! It's a book of concrete poetry but all of the poems are related and they deal with a sibling rivalry and growing up. It's a really cute idea and the execution was fantastic. I loved each poem and kept thinking this was a great way to introduce my students (sixth graders) to concrete poetry since the concept was so engaging and entertaining. I want my own copy of this book and I look forward to reading the companion.
Mar 20, 2010
CH - Marvin
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Author: John Grandits; Grade:5-8
This is a collection of poems about a teenage girl who reports her view of high school through concrete poetry. Jessie is sarcastic, bold, creatively and fashionably hip, and she writes poetry...to her cat.
Fantastic! I love the use of concrete poems, they make a real impact. I would love to use this book as a lesson to show concrete poetry, but also to teach individuality and difference.
This is a collection of poems about a teenage girl who reports her view of high school through concrete poetry. Jessie is sarcastic, bold, creatively and fashionably hip, and she writes poetry...to her cat.
Fantastic! I love the use of concrete poems, they make a real impact. I would love to use this book as a lesson to show concrete poetry, but also to teach individuality and difference.
May 06, 2009
Joanne
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I read this clear through when my friend Candace from bookclub shared the poem about the girl who had the fake tatoo and tongue stud. The poem is in the shape of a tongue. I really liked the concrete aspect of all these poems and especially the way the author artistically added to the impact of the poem through the visual aspect of it.
Dec 17, 2008
Heather
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Grandits collection of concrete poems are told in the voice of a teenage girl. Each poem reveals more of her personality, her life both at home with her family and at school. Many of the poems are humorous. The poems are a quick glimpse into the life of this young girl that make you want to read more and know more about her.
Mar 20, 2011
Amy
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A collection of concrete poems written in the point of view of a 15-year girl named Jessie. It's the second book of poems written by John Grandits. The first was titled Technically, It's Not My Fault and was written from the point of view of an 8 year old boy Robert. Robert is a very interesting little boy who had a lot to say about his older sister, you guessed it, Jessie. Blue Lipstick is Jessie's turn to give her side of the story. I really enjoyed this book, although I sometimes had a hard t
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Dec 14, 2008
Jenna
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Ok, so this book may sound a little, eh "rique", but it is sooo not! It is actually poems by a high school girl and they are hi-larious! I love the way th equthor incoporated graphic design into the text (you'll have to read it to fully understand). Anyway, this book was so funny and so cute!
Nov 03, 2009
Elyse83
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This verse novel tells the story of 15 year old Jessie. Verse are written in different font size and design. Verse are also arranged in picture format. Typical HS problems are explored including, liking a boy, finding one's own style, being a classical musician in a rock band world, etc.
Mar 30, 2009
Bree
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The text for this book gets a 3.8, but the original design gets a 6!!! This was so fun, quirky and real it made me laugh out loud. Not everyone will appreciate or understand the poetry, but I've lived it myself--and again with several of my children.
Bravo Mr. Grandits.
Bravo Mr. Grandits.
Feb 22, 2011
Arantxa A
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I thought that this was a great poem book! I thought this because the poems were funny and were our-age-like. The poems I liked the most were: Happy B*Day Mom, The Secret, Poems Inspired by the Free Perfume Sampeles at Carson's and A Chart of my Emotional Day.
Sep 13, 2009
Jennifer
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First week's reading assignment for the "Tween Media Literacy" graduate class I am co-teaching. A series of concrete poems that literally and figuratively illustrate the everyday trials and tribulations of a beleaguered high school girl. Both fun and fun to read.
Apr 06, 2008
Linnea
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I stole this from my co-worker Leslie's box today... I know... I'm a really, really bad person and Leslie I'm so sorry! I just had to know what "Blue Lipstick" was about, and then when I saw it was concrete poems... well... I just had to read it!
I read this over about an hour (helping patrons along the way) and there were some that just KILLED me (Zombie Jocks; Grownups: Talking A+, Listening D-; and Poems Inspired by the Free Perfume Samples at Carson's) so I have to give More...
I read this over about an hour (helping patrons along the way) and there were some that just KILLED me (Zombie Jocks; Grownups: Talking A+, Listening D-; and Poems Inspired by the Free Perfume Samples at Carson's) so I have to give More...
Feb 22, 2008
babyhippoface
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This collection is a companion to Grandits’ first book of concrete poetry, Technically, It’s Not My Fault, featuring poems by a fictional boy named Robert. In Blue Lipstick Robert’s sister, Jessie, reveals her feelings about high school and teen struggles. From bad hair days and dealing with her little brother, stupid pep rallies, and zombie jocks, to the art of Mondrian, mood swings, volleyball practice and popularity--or the lack thereof--Jessie opens up in terrifically creative concrete poems
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Aug 06, 2011
Rachael
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An interesting way of introducing poetry to young readers. Challenges the confines of poetry and while occasionally a challenge to read (concrete poetry that it is, it pokes at convention and takes shapes: an angel, a line graph, a vollyball match).
Apr 24, 2011
Sandra
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This book is about a fifteen year old girl telling stories through poetry about her first year in high school and the ups and downs of being a teenager in a collection of poems. Some of the poems can stand alone in the story, but overall it’s a good read.
Feb 01, 2012
Carrie
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This fun and clever concrete poetry book highlights the everyday teenage girl problems that ninth grader Jessie faces. This one is highly popular with middle school girls at my school.
