Full Moon Is Rising, a (4 Paperback/1 CD) [with CD (Audio)]

by Marilyn Singer, Julia Cairns (Reader)

All around the world people are affected by and in awe of a full moon. In this poetic exploration of the lunar wonder, places near and far provide the backdrop for discovering celebrations, beliefs, customs and facts about the moon. From Broadway to Hong Kong to the International Space Station, the various perspectives, sparkling verses and depth of information create a fascinating rendering of a familiar, yet remarkable sight.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Science, Nature, Cultural, Childrens, Space

Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Marilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.

In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.

Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.

Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of poems about how people around the world think about or celebrate the full moon. My favorite poems are the ones that begin and end the book, in New York City. At the back of the book Singer provides more information about the ideas in each poem. OK, so I didn't know you can make the moon look smaller by bending over and looking at it from between your legs. An odd bit of knowledge... Recommended.

[Chelsea Stilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Full Moon is Rising is colorful poetry children’s book. The book is about how the full moon is viewed and celebrated all over the world. What a great way to teach and learn about different cultures! I love how Marilyn Singer, the author, incorporates so much in one book. She not only shares different cultural celebrations of the moon, but she also opens up the opportunity to teach about the different phases of the moon. The back of the book contains an explanation on the background of each poem. I really like this aspect of the book, it will help enrich our group discussions and research of each country or tradition. I believe this book could be used in first grade through middle school. I think this book offers deep discussions that come with a mature audience. I would use this book as a read aloud with my sixth graders. I would not read the story all the way through, instead, I would read one poem at a time and focus on that country. I would have a Paideia Seminar with the poems, allowing students to build discussions and thoughts off one another. As enrichment, once you finish the book, allow students to form into groups and choose one country to research. The students could choose a creative way to present their research! This is a WOW book for me because I love learning about new cultures! I also believe it is vital to bring new cultures into our classrooms, exposing the students to as much diversity as possible.

[aro · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was cute

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this poetry book much more than Thunder Underground because I liked the the storyline much better (I also love the song "There's a Full Moon on The Rise" so I automatically liked the title of this book). This book is about different cultures and countries interpretation of a full moon. From New York to Turkey to South Africa. The moon is seen as a different 'spectacle' in many different countries. It was interesting to learn how each countries celebrates the moon.

The actual text itself was much easier to follow and it resonated with me as well. I also liked how Marilyn Singer prefaced the book with different phases of the moon so it is a very educational book in many different senses of the word. I think this would be a good book to read to a classroom that will begin learning about the moon in science class or when learning about cultural appreciation.

[Carson Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Poetry

"A Full Moon is Rising" by Marilyn Singer is a poetry book that collects poetry from children all around the world talking about the moon. Even though the children are separated by many miles, they all describe the wonder of the moon in the same way and talk about what the moon means to them in their culture. This book would be wonderful in a 3rd or 4th-grade classroom.

One way I could use this book instructionally would be to discuss the science behind the moon, and talk about how why you see it "rise" and "set" and then talk about how people in the book are seeing the moon. We could look at the map and see where they are, and predict if the countries are seeing the moon at similar or different times.

Another instructional use for this book would be to talk about the many cultures in the book and create a writing assignment out of it. Students could take what they learned from one of the children in the book, and write a story about what a day would be like after researching the country. Students would be able to see how the cultures extend beyond just the poem read in the book.

This book was a WOW book for me because I have always found the moon to be such an interesting thing and the idea that no matter how far away you are from home, you can see the moon through its phases. I was in awe throughout the entire book at how the cultures in the book became so clear when they talked about something that was relatable to all people. I am always so interested in how people live, and it is good to remind ourselves sometimes that no matter how different we are, we can all relate to the human experience.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Full Moon is Rising” is a poetry book that takes you through different cultures activities and celebrations around the moon. Each page is a different city in a new country. The illustrations include lots of details that match each culture. The poems are easy to understand and could be used for children ages 6 to 10 years old. There are mostly warm colors that are darker because each page is representing a night. One part that I found really interesting was, in the back of the book, for each country represented there is an explanation about their culture.

[Alex Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book of poems that illustrates how different people experience the full moon all around the world. We are faced with the fascinating fact that the same moon makes an appearance for everyone on earth. The people in the story express feelings, traditions, and beliefs they have surrounding the time of the full moon. Readers get to put themselves in the shoes of those around the world. It shows how we are all connected, yet very different. Therefore, the focus is on the full moon as well as different cultures around the world. The book also provides a world map that highlights the different countries that are represented in the story.

Lexile shows that this book is appropriate for children that are 8-9 years old. I agree with this rating as I think it would be great to use in a third grade lesson relating to North Carolina standards:
RL.3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
RL.3.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using
terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system.

In my third grade classroom, I would read this aloud to model poetry characteristics while students are studying the phases of the moon. This should be read before they observe the full moon. After reading, we would discuss the characteristics of the writing that made them poems. We would discuss rhyming and figurative language then review where the author used those concepts within the story. Students would be instructed to view the full moon that night and note the time they view it. The following day, they would be prompted to write their own poem about their experience viewing the moon. They would create a title for their poem and specify the town they were in when they viewed it along with the time they viewed it. I would collect their poems and combine them to make a class book of their collection of poems to look like A Full Moon is Rising. We would then read their poems, giving them the opportunity to read their own poem when we turn to that page. A discussion would follow to note the poetry characteristics they used, the distance and movement of the moon, how it connects us, and how similar or different their experiences were. It would be fun for them to acknowledge that they were all looking at the same moon at the exact or close to the same time.

[Mary Vial · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Full Moon Is Rising by Marilyn Singer is a book of poetry that all connects back to the moon's presence in beautiful scenes all around the world. Each poem included in the book states where this poem takes place and connects back to the culture of each of these locations. Each poem is written in a different verse and focuses on different activities that could be taking place in the areas it addresses. All of these poems connect to show that the moon acts as a common treasure for each of these cultures and also demonstrates how the moon is viewed throughout these cultures. Some of the locations included are China, Africa, India, the Middle East, North America, the Caribbean Sea, and even outer space. The final poem in the book takes place at the same location as the first poem, but there is a slight change in time to show how the moon has attracted a larger audience. I would implement this book into a 4th-grade classroom in order to familiarize students with the structure of poems and the fluency in which poetry is read. I would read this book aloud to small groups, and then have students write their own poetry about the moon and how it is viewed in their own cultures. I would also have students choose another meaningful object to their culture, and write a poem about how this object is appreciated by their culture. I would then have students take turns sharing their poems in a poetry slam. This book was a Wow Book for me because of how all of the poems in the book connected and flowed together, even though they were all very different. The way the poetry portrayed different cultures around the world was very informative and eye-opening for me. This book overall gives the message that although we can be very far away from one another, we are all one world and all observe the same moon.

[Ally Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Full Moon Is Rising" by Marilyn Singer and Julia Cairns is a collection of children's poems that describe how places around the world celebrate the full moon. It is a perfect way to teach students about different cultures around the world and the moon. The locations within this poetry collection include the United States, Canada, Turkey, Israel, Morocco, Mali, South Africa, Australia, China, India, Colombia, Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and even the International Space Station. The illustrations are colorful and beautifully done. The short poems include rich, authentic vocabulary. The beginning of the book includes information about the moon and the back includes information about the locations and a brief description about each cultural celebration.

I would recommend this book for any elementary grade. Younger elementary students would enjoy it as a read aloud, while older elementary students would be able to read it within a small group or independently. "A Full Moon Is Rising" is a great text to integrate poetry and literacy into a science unit about the moon. I plan on using it in the spring when I teach our objects and patterns in the sky unit. It could also be used in a social studies when comparing and contrasting different cultures around the world.

"A Full Moon Is Rising" is a WOW book for me because of the multicultural aspect of this series of poems. A full moon is something we all observe around the world, but there are many different ways to celebrate it. I also love the authenticity and informational aspect of the poems.

[Kiarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Full Moon Is Rising is a unique concept in that it celebrates the full moon with children from all over the world. This allows the poet to write about both the full moon and various cultures. You'll be able to explore and read about a camel fair in India, a dreaming child in the Sahara, wolves howling at the moon in Canada, a sukkah in Israel, coral spawning in the Caribbean Sea, and high tide in the Bay of Fundy courtesy of Singer and Cairns. A "Broadway Moon" makes its entrance and exit in New York City at the beginning and end of Singer's novel. Singer's tone and, at times, poetry types shift subtly throughout the poem. Her poetry, on the other hand, is steadily pleasant and laid back, consisting mainly of free verse with the occasional rhyme thrown in. The illustrations are made of watercolor, so they are thick enough to resemble acrylic when wet. The art unifies the book, which is intentionally disjointed, covering social science, science, poetry, and bedtime in one fell swoop while traveling to more than a dozen countries. Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the one page author's note, which not only describes the poems but also displays and names the moon phases. Then, at the end of the novel, a note about each poem provides additional scientific and cultural details in short, but concise paragraphs, which was another aspect of this book that I appreciated.

[Ariel Goo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read shares different cultural aspects across the world and the significance of the moon in their life. Whether it is watching it sit above the horizon or celebrating the moon festival in Hong Kong this book dives into different traditions from various backgrounds that share how the moon is connected within these cultures. This can be a great way of implementing multicultural reads within the classroom and giving students a sense of representation. I think it can be a great read for all grade levels within elementary but specifically 2nd through 5th grade. This could be used as an extension and build off of other historical or art lessons that surround the traditions within the text. I like the diverse amount of characters and the wide range of places that are included as well as the illustrations that depict the environment of that place.

[Jordyn]

Awards- Book Links' Lasting Connections, 2011; Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best, 2012
Grade levels- K-5
Summary- This book consists of many poems for all elementary grade levels. The poems are about different traditions in different cultures about celebrating a full moon.
Review- I like this book because it is relevant to all grade levels k-5. I also like it because it can be used for many different lesson topics- poetry, culture, geography, and science.
In class uses- you can use this book for a warm-up or introduction to any of the different lesson topics listed above, also could have students make their own poems about the moon after reading a couple of the poems from the book.

[Julian A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Full Moon is Rising is an impressive anthology of poetry that delves into the lives of individuals all across the world. This is something that binds everyone around the world because they all have the same moon. This book has a collection of poems, each of which tells a story about life in that location. I imagine this could be a good book to use for teaching poetry because several of the poems contain repetition and rhyme.
Watercolor was employed as an artistic medium in this book. The pictures are folk art, and each place in the book is represented by a different style. Many of the pages have ethnic symbols and patterns, giving children a better understanding of the culture's customs. 

[Alaina Kaupa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Full Moon is Rising is a children’s poetry book that features poems on full moon celebrations and beliefs from around the world. This book not only introduces students to poetry, but it also offers them a look at different cultures from all over. I would read this aloud to my students, because poetry can be tricky for adults, let alone students. Talking through the poems, what they mean and how they make us feel can help students process the poem and get a better understanding of it. This book can be shared with students anywhere from first grade to fifth grade. For younger students it is a great introduction book, and for older students it could be a fun and engaging poetry read that they could break down and create a similar poem.

[Lauren Dressel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book highlights the global significance of the full moon and the diverse beliefs surrounding its phases. Through various types of poetry, it explores how different cultures view and celebrate the moon, emphasizing themes of connection, nature, and the shared experience of witnessing the same moon across the world. I would use this book in my classroom because it offers both factual information about the moon, connecting directly to astronomy lessons, as well as insights into its historical and cultural significance. It connects the concept of space directly to the children, showing them how people from different countries and continents share a common experience.

[Sidney Shiflet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because it was online as one of the best multicultural books out there for children. I think this book is amazing, I loved how each page was for a different part of the world. This book would be good for all elementary aged children and I think that it would be a good book to keep in the classroom. I think that the illustrations fit the book and I enjoyed the stories on each page.

[Ashley Bunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "A Full Moon Is Rising" takes readers on a journey around the world where different cultures explain traditions around the full moon. Readers will travel to India, China, Morocco, India, the International Space Station as well as Australia. This book can easily integrate science standards, as well as social studies/geography standards. This book will be a great addition to my class library!

[Carley VanEtten]

1. No awards.
2. 1st grade and up.
3. This book combines poetry and astronomy in one. It goes around the world with the full moon and shows how it affects people all over the world.
4. I like this book. I believe it could be used in many different ways in a classroom.
5. This book could be used in several different units in a classroom. For one it can be used as a poetry unit. Second, it could be used in a space/astrology unit.

[Bryanna Rorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting to me because I have always been a night owl and the moon had always been a favorite for me to look at. This book is for children to learn about different ways that people think about the moon through poems and how they celebrate it. This book explores many different areas as well which is good for classrooms such a geography, science, and different cultures. (Great add for a diverse library)

[Kim Bogren Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Full Moon is Rising by Marilyn Singer and Julia Cairns has poems about the moon and moon celebrations around the world and throughout the seasons. Children naturally love the sound and rhythm of the language in poetry. Look out the window at the night sky as you read these and imagine what life on the moon would be like.

[Cassie Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is made up of many different poems about the moon in different contexts. It takes you through the many places the moon can be seen at. The words describe very well what the moon looks like in each area. In the beginning of the book, the author and illustrator show you how the moon looks in different phases and they describe it to the reader.

[Maggie Grebenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book takes something that is similar to everyone around the world, like the moon, and uses it to also emphasize the differences around the world regarding the moon. I also like that this book is more of a series of poems that discuss how different cultures respond to the moon and how they all treat and celebrate it's existence differently.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book carries you on a whirlwind tour of the world to discover Full Moon celebrations, beliefs, customs, and facts. Readers will explore Canada, Turkey, India, Israel, Morocco, Mali, South Africa, Australia, China, USA, Colombia, Curaçao, Mexico, and the International Space Station. Just wait to see what can happen when a full moon is rising!

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is filled with poems about the moon and how it is seen by people in various cultures throughout the world. In the back of the book are further explanations and background information on the moon, the environment, and the people or cultural views expressed in each individual poem.

[Brittney Lozano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry book is a great book for teachers to have on their shelves. The book follows the moon around the globe, joining people of different cultures and their lives. This can be used in social studies and ELAR classrooms to assist reading while also learning about multiple cultures.

[Erika Pichardo Larios · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an excellent way to take the kids to the poetry, also show you a lot of things around the world: food, traditions, animals, places, plants.
I think that this book is also perfect for kids learning English.

[Faith Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally like poetry books but this one was nice. The poems being different places in the world was very unique. I loved the artwork and the colors used in every page. This is a great way to teach children about different cultures around the world as well.

[Kennedy Cecil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great poetry book that also incorporates science because it talks about the moon. I enjoyed this book and I feel that students will enjoy it too.

[Amanda Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great poetry about the moon. It gives you a little lesson about the moon phases to begin and then there are many poems about different traditions people have because of the moon.

[Brittany Cohens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Full Moon is Rising is a book of short poems, written by children around the world, all dedicated to the moon and how it is seen, recognized and celebrated across geographic locations and cultures. From people in the streets of New York city to insects during migration season, the reader gets multiple perspectives about how important the moon is in our world. Marilyn Singer also does a beautiful job of integrating scientific information about the moon and its phases into the text. This would be an excellent text for children in both lower and upper elementary (around grades 1-4).

In my classroom, I would love to use this text during a read-aloud block to introduce the skill of comparing and contrasting. The author gives so many examples concerning the same topic across cultures that students could complete a graphic organizer to visualize how the author represents different ideas about the same topic. I could also see myself using this text during social studies. After reading the text aloud, I could introduce a new topic (ex. winter celebrations), assign students a poem from the text and ask students to research the new topic from the perspective of the culture from their passage.

This book is a WOW book for me because it beautifully demonstrates both the diversity and the connectedness of humankind. I believe kids will enjoy the beautifully poetry and illustrations and will be able to connect to the fact that it was written by children like them!