Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems

George, K. O. (2002). Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems. Illus. Debbie Tilley. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books.

Brief Annotation: Using a variety of poetic structures including haiku, narrative poetry and free verse, this unique collection of poems chronicles the experiences of a young girl during her first year of middle school.

Genre: Poetry

Grade Level: Grade 4 through 7

Readers who will like this: Young readers who like poetry, young readers who would benefit from reading a variety of poetic structures, young readers who are themselves in middle school or know someone who is

Response/Rating (1-4): For young readers who are beginning middle school, the book offers a wonderful glimpse into the new school year. Portraying new experiences with honesty and humor, poems range in topics from making friends to a first crush; the memorable poems will surely resonate with young readers.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do you think the author meant by the title, “Swimming Upstream?”