Naked Bunyip Dancing

Bibliography
Herrick, Steven. 2005. Naked Bunyip Dancing. Illu. by Beth Norling. North Carolina: Front Street. ISBN 978-1-59078-499-0.

Summary
This book follows the story of the students in Class 6C, whose teacher is different from all other teachers. The school year is filled with students engaging in new activities and using poetry to tell their stories while preparing for an unforgettable class concert. This moving story about simple teenagers captures Herrick's audience through the use of his words and style.

Critical Analysis

Rhythm and Rhyme- Herrick uses a variety of rhythm that is apparent in silent reading as well as with read-alouds. Some verses rhyme, most if not all of 'Jackson's' character, while others are from one point of view using dialogue without the other speakers. Some of the poems are in individual dialogue while others use just a few single words to convey a message. The use of different styles fit with the characters that Herrick has created. For example, Jackson's character is a rapper and his poems/dialogue tends to rhyme. Alex is battling through his parent's divorce and learning how to cope with two homes and his struggles are conveyed through his poems with more conviction. The dialogue with 'outsiders' brings in one author who seems to be carrying on conversation with others without their dialogue in the pages. This brings in a new style of poetry that has readers guessing what is to come next.


Language, Emotion and Imagery- The language used is typical of teenagers and their dialogue with others as well as their thoughts convey their feelings which pulls the readers into their thoughts. The language chosen fits into the events of Class 6C whether students are fighting, falling in love or facing their fears. One can feel the anger Jason feels after his breakup with Emily:

I hate her.
It's over.
Never again.
I won't even look at her.
Or talk to her.

On the next page has Emily's feelings towards Jason using single words such as "smelly, slobbery, mean, heartless, careless". The use of language brings out the emotions of the students as they try to get through their day to day lives with their classmates and peers while bringing in some of their home life to their personal stories. The language brings to life the words of each poem, whether the students are getting into trouble or trying not to anger their parents.

Throughout the book, Herrick allows the readers to become emotionally connected with the students of 6C. Some students are witty and has readers laughing unexpectedly or brings issues of the heart and has readers reaching for a tissue. In one instance, students were to write a war poem. Some are witty and some really do not make any sense. But one poem by Sophie made readers feel like they were in the war zone. The style of the poem and the language use all connected together to bring emotional connection between author and reader. Imagery was made possible through simple lines and phrases such as "old men with sad vacant eyes".

The length, style and dialogue in this book is witty, clever, and a great use of words and styles of poetry. The narrative Herrick uses draws in his reader to follow the students and what mischief they will come across. It's an easy read that readers will not want to put down.

Review Excerpts

Children's Book of the Year, Honor Book for Older Readers (Children's Book Council of Australia)
Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature (New South Wales Premier's Literary Award)

School Library Journal- "Beautifully and sensitively written."

The Horn Book- "A poignant coming-of-age verse novel."

Publisher's Weekly- "Moving...Herrick's fully realized characters convey their hopes in this touching, well-written story."

Connections

• Allow students to use the process of journaling through poetry to relate to the characters in the story.
• Create opportunities for reader's theater and the process of call and response.