Project Description

Middle Readers

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Teacher’s Guide

Random Body Parts

Gross Anatomy Riddles in Verse

by Leslie Bulion
illustrated by Mike Lowery

Take a free-form trip though the human body with these humorous riddle poems.

Which body part, if spread out flat, would cover a tennis court? Stretched end to end, which body parts would wrap four times around the equator? What’s the hardest substance in the human body?

In these pages you will discover the astonishing answers to these questions and many more! Put your cerebral cortex to work. Follow the anatomical, poetic, and visual clues to make a guess, then read the science notes to check your powers of riddle reasoning. You’ll even find hints from the greatest poet of them all―William Shakespeare!

Format: Hardcover
Price: $14.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-737-3
Publication Date: 3/1/2015
Page Count: 48
Size: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/4″
Age Range: 8 – 12
Language: English
AR Level: 5.7
F&P: GRL T, Gr 5, Genre I
Lexile: 1060L
Themes: Biology, Human Anatomy, Poetic Forms, Shakespeare
BISAC 1: JNF042010 JUVENILE NONFICTION / Poetry / Humorous
BISAC 2: JNF051030 JUVENILE NONFICTION /Science & Nature / Anatomy & Physiology
BISAC 3: JNF042010 JUVENILE NONFICTION / Poetry / Humorous

Reviews

“It’s hard not to admire the ick factor” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A smart pick for left- and right-brained readers alike.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Whether educators are seeking material for health lesson unites, an introduction to simile and metaphor, or simply something to tempt budding poetry lovers, they’ll find this exquisite gem of a book incredible useful” ―School Library Journal

“This collection ambitiously blends an introduction to some human physiology with puzzle poems inspired by Shakespearean writings and poetic forms, sonnet to cinquain.” ―Booklist

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“Whether their interest is anatomical science, poetry, Shakespeare, or just plain-old disgusting fun, Random Body Parts is well-worth picking up, and certain to entertain kids as it educates them about what’s in and on their bodies.” —Poetry Foundation

“Students will enjoy learning, laughing, solving riddles, and exploring human anatomy and poetic variety.”—The Dragon Lode

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Awards

Parents’ Choice Approved Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2015

Notable Poetry List ―National Council of Teachers of English, 2016

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2016

Alabama Camellia Award (grades 6-8 nonfiction) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2016-2017

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Meet the Author

Leslie Bulion is the author of several children’s books, including Uncharted Waters, The Trouble With Rules, and Fatuma’s New Cloth, winner of the African Studies Association’s 2002 Children’s Africana Books. She lives in Connecticut. You can visit her website here.

Meet the Illustrator

Mike Lowery is a professor of illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta and has illustrated several books for young readers. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.