Sketches from a Spy Tree

Author: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Illustrator: Andrew Glass

Publisher: Clarion Books, copy write 2005
Page Count: 64

Age Range: 9-12

Overview: 

" Perched in the branches of her favorite tree with her sketchbook, Anne-Marie watches the world go by. While recording her observations of neighbors, friends, and family, she thinks about her father, who left two years before; about Mike, who seems to be trying to take his place; about her twin sister, Mary Anne, who looks like her (at least to adults) but sees things very differently. Poems in Anne-Marie’s voice, sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, and always honest, take readers through a year of change in the life of a family and in Anne-Marie’s heart. Illustrations that include paintings, drawings, and collage capture the text’s emotional range and Anne-Marie’s own artistic vision. "--Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Small groups

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Family Challenges

2. Individuality 

3. Growing up 

4. Free verse

5. Visual Imagery  

Electronic Resources:

1. Poem maker 

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/poetry_engine.htm
This website has an interactive format to assist students in creating poems of numerous formats.  It has been formatted to work with interactive white boards to be used in a classroom.

2. Video on Twins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiuweTEuM58&feature=related

This video explains how twins feel about being viewed as one person and other issues brought up in the poems.

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Portrait

2. Landscapes

3. Antique

4. Haunting 

5. Sketchbook

6. Instructor

7. Dismantling 

Reading Strategies:

Before:  Since this book is a collection of poems, it is important to be sure that the students have had enough exposure to poems to be able to read fluently.  Using the poem creator above can help familiarize the students with some poetry.  

During: Throughout the book, Annie experiences many emotions regarding her twin, her father, and her mother's new relationship.  Using a timeline, students should track these changes in emotion to see how Annie progresses over time.

After: After the small group have finished reading, the whole class should have a discussion about some of the topics brought up in the text.  Discuss the emotions tracked on the timeline.  How does Annie feel in the end of the book compared to the beginning? 

Writing Activity:   Poetry can be an excellent way to convey emotional topics.  Write three poems to explain your feelings about a particular topic.  For example, you could write a poem about how you felt starting this school year, how you felt in the middle of the school year and one about how you feel now that it is ending.  

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Sketches from a spy tree. Retrieved September 14, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sketches-from-a-spy-tree-tracie-vaughn-zimmer/1103789177

Zimmer, T. V., & Glass, A. (2005).Sketches from a spy tree. New York: Clarion Books.