Fall in love with a little hate

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

Ever heard the phrase "poetry in motion?" Sharon Creech is moving poetry to the next level. This book tells the story of Jack, his teacher, and a cat that he despises. He has good reason to hate that cat; it is the example of all of the cruminess that is in his life. The cat is nothing but trouble. What makes this book more then just a story about a boy and his rage is how it is told. At first, it looks like a diary, but then you realize each dated entry is a poem. Really, really cool poems.

Creech is an author who knows how to reinvent the obvious. I knew she wrote good stuff after reading her Newberry Medal winner Walk Two Moons, but I can't help but feel Hate That Cat knocks Moon out of the water. It transcends the typical limitations of the novel and makes you think that perhaps poetry isn't just for weird people who were beret's and dress in black. As an added bonus, at the end of the book Creech gives a list of other great finds poetry-wise that are equally as interesting.

Do you think poetry should be heard and not read? This novel also comes in audio book form. Be sure check out either and fall in love with a little hate.