Gone Fishing: A novel in verse

by Tamera Will Wissinger, Matthew Cordell

Join nine-year-old Catfish Sam as he captures a day of adventure in his net—and in verse — in this unique middle grade novel told through poems and comic illustrations.

  • Format: eBook
  • ISBN-13/ EAN: 9780547824130
  • ISBN-10: 0547824130
  • Pages: 128
  • Publication Date: 03/05/2013
  • Carton Quantity: 1
About the Book
About the Authors
Excerpts
Reviews
  • About the Book
    Nine-year-old Sam loves fishing with his dad. So when his pesky little sister, Lucy, horns in on their fishing trip, he’s none too pleased: “Where’s my stringer? / Something’s wrong! / The princess doll does not belong!” All ends well in this winsome book of poems—each labeled with its proper poetic form, from quatrain to tercet. Together the poems build a dawn-to-dusk story of a father-son bond, of sibling harmony lost and found—and most of all, of delicious anticipation. Charming line drawings animate the poetry with humor and drama, and the extensive Poet’s Tackle Box at the end makes this the perfect primer to hook aspiring poets of all ages.
  • About the Author
  • Excerpts

    Sam

    NIGHT CRAWLERS

    Tercet Variation

    Dark night.

    Flashlight.

    Dad and I hunt worms tonight.

    Grass slick.

    Worms thick.

    Tiptoe near and grab them quick.

    Hold firm.

    They squirm.

    Tug-o-war with earth and worm.

    Ninety-four.

    Worms galore.

    Set our bucket near the door.

    Next day.

    No delay.

    Look out, fish — we’re on our way!

    Sam

    JUST DAD AND ME

    Free Verse Poem

     

    For fishing tomorrow

    it’s just us two.

    Not Mom, not Grandpa,

    not Lucy.

    It’ll be like playing catch or

    painting the garage.

    Just Dad and me.

    Fishing.

    Sam

    MY TACKLE BOX

    Switcheroo Poem

     

    I love my fishing tackle box — it’s green and blue and gold.

    My grandpa gave it to me when I wasn’t very old.

    I need to get it ready for tomorrow at the lake.

    We’re leaving in the morning just as soon as we’re awake.

    One tiny click and now my treasure chest is open wide.

    A shelf with lots of little spaces holds my gear inside.

    My silver sinkers, wiggle worms, my floating frogs, my line.

    My shiny spinner lures, my bobbers, hooks—there’re 29.

    The shelf is on a hinge—it hides my secret space below.

    It’s where I keep my special treasures out of sight—OH NO!

     

    . . . Where’s my compass?

    Where’s my map?

    Where’s my lucky fishing cap?

    Where’s my stringer?

    Something’s wrong!

    This princess doll does not belong!

    . . . What is this?

    A throne?

    A crown?

    A polka-dotted circus clown?

    A tiny bottle of perfume?

     

    I smell Lucy in my room!

    Lucy

    FISHING FOR PRETEND

    Dramatic Poem for One, Quatrains

    Oh, Sam—you’re here. Come on, let’s play!

    I’m fishing for pretend tonight.

    It’s fun to use your gear this way.

    Hold on, I think I have a bite.

    Your map’s a paper fishing boat.

    Your compass is the steering wheel.

    I think our boat could really float.

    It would be fun to fish for real.

    Your stringer makes a tiny lake.

    I didn’t crumple up your map.

    Your compass works—it didn’t break.

    I sure do like your fishing cap.

    I didn’t snoop—I made a trade.

    Stay here, sit down, don’t go away.

    Don’t you like the boat I made?

    Your fishing stuff is fun—come play!

  • Reviews
    Triple Crown Awards' 2017-2018 Gallery Honor 

     

    "Just the thing for readers with a burgeoning interest in poetry—or angling." 

    Publishers Weekly 

     

    "A playful verse narrative of the joys and perils of a family fishing trip. . . . This tender, well-crafted sibling story should hook many readers." 

    Kirkus 

     

    "Engaging verse that's just the right depth and length for chapter-book readers. . . A solid, entertaining story to hook children on poetry." 

    Booklist 

     

    "All of Sam's episodes take the form of poems, each discreetly labeled by its poetic form, which is then defined at the end of the book. . . most will enjoy the notion that there are as many ways to tell a tale as to catch a fish." 

    Bulletin 

     

    "This novel in verse successfully builds a story filled with anticipation, family humor, and sibling rivalry. . . . Wissinger deftly plies her craft to ensure that the use of poetry enhances the readability of the story" 

    School Library Journal, starred review

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