Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems about Love by Pat Mora

a. Bibliographic data
Mora, Pat. 2010. DIZZY IN YOUR EYES: POEMS ABOUT LOVE. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0375843752

b. Brief plot summary
A collection of poems written through the eyes of a emotion-packed adolescents.

c. Critical analysis
The different forms of poetry showcase Mora’s true talent for writing. From the popular Haiku and couplet to lesser known forms of poetry, such as the anaphora or the sestina, Mora is able to write them all and still stay true to the tone of the collection- raw teenage emotions.

Hispanic literature for children often revolves around family. Several poems in this collection talk about a teenager’s relationship with a family member (i.e. Sisters, Valentine to Papi, Kissing). Spanish words and phrases are lightly used throughout the collection, with the exception of the piece entitled Conversation/Conversacion that describes the budding relationship between two students from two different cultures. The use of Spanish text is seamless throughout the collection and offers a glimpse into the culture without overshadowing Mora’s desire to write about “the intensity of the teen years” (p. 1).

Many of the poems in this collection appeal to readers of any race or ethnicity. While a Spanish words and phrases may be sprinkled throughout the book, the emotions and feelings are universal. Any reader who has ever been a teenager can identify with heartache, love, loneliness and uncertainty. More than a culturally specific work, this collection is representative of middle and high school experiences (prom, homecoming, school in general and family dynamics).

d. Reviews/Awards
• From Booklist: “Mora writes in free verse, as well as a wide variety of classic poetic forms—including haiku, clerihew, sonnet, cinquain, and blank verse—and for each form, there is an unobtrusive explanatory note on the facing page. The tight structures intensify the strong feelings in the poems, which teens will enjoy reading on their own or hearing aloud in the classroom.”
• From SLJ: “Peppered with Spanish, the selections define the emotion in countless ways. The quiet lyricism of some lines will prompt many readers to roll them over and over on their tongues; this is a world in which a simple smile can make a boy feel as if he's "swallowed the sun" or one's worst fear might be a kiss "dull like oatmeal." Where relevant, poetic form is indicated, defined, and discussed on the adjacent page.”

e. Connections
• Teachers can use Dizzy in Your Eyes as an engagement piece when introducing a poetry
• This book can also be incorporated into an author study or display for National Poetry Month in April.
• Those who enjoy Mora’s work can visit either of the two following websites for further information: www.patmora.com and http://sharebookjoy.blogspot.com
• Readers can admire Mora’s other literary works by reading any of the following:
o Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day
o Tomas and the Library Lady
o Thanks/Gracias
o Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers
o Borders
o Confetti: Poemas para ninos/Poems for Children