Edgar Allan Poe's Pie: Math Puzzles in Classic Poems

Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie: Math Puzzles in Classic Poems

Lewis, J. Patrick & Slack, Martin. Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie: Math Puzzles in Classic Poems. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. ISBN 9780544456129

Summary:

In this collection of fifteen (15) poems, J. Patrick Lewis takes the classics, such as Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” and Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” adds a twist of creativity and a dash of humor to create poems that are not only a new take on the old, but also mathematical puzzles to be solved by the reader. Lewis has a way of playing with words that make the classics familiar and inviting.

Analysis:

J. Patrick Lewis has certainly mastered the art of inspirational poetry in this topical and thematic collection. His knack for humor in poetry is definitely evident in these twisted and funny versions of many familiar classic poems and poets’ works. It is truly an art to be able to incorporate mathematical teachings, along with challenging puzzles for the reader, in poetry. Each poem title incorporates the original author’s name. For example, Lewis’ poem inspired by Emily Dickinson’s “My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close” is titled “Emily Dickinson’s Telephone Book.” The use of the original authors name helps the reader quickly identify which classical poet they’ll be laughing alongside.

The various elements of poetry, such as rhyme, rhythm, sound, language, imagery, and emotion are all elements of different poems in this collection. J. Patrick Lewis has done a fine job of keeping and continuing the original elements in the poems that inspired each of his works. For example, in Lewis’ poem “Robert Frost’s Boxer Shorts,” he keeps Robert Frost’s original beat/rhythm and rhyme scheme found in “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Different elements of poetry, such as onomatopoeia are found in Lewis’ “Edgar Allan Poe’s Apple Pie” just as in the original “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. In “The Raven” there was “rapping” and “tapping” at the door. In Lewis’ version, he continues the use of onomatopoeia with “knocking, knocking” and “pitter-pattered.” J. Patrick Lewis does a beautiful job of keeping just enough of the original in order to help the reader deeply connect with the classics.

Michael Slack’s illustrations are engaging with bright, bold colors that completely fill the page and surround the poetry. Each poem is spread across two pages, allowing the reader to take in the poem in both words and pictures. In many cases, Slack has incorporated the text in the illustrations. At the end of the collection, the reader is provided with a brief biography of each featured poet. Lewis and Slack have done a phenomenal job creating a unique collection of poetry to be enjoyed by both the young and old.

Awards and Review Excerpts:

From The Kirkus Review: "Lewis cleverly combines math and language arts with this collection of humorous poetry parodies that present readers with math word problems to solve."

From The Library Journal: "Teachers and parents might challenge youngsters to try solving the math problems, then introduce them to the classic poems by reading them together."

From Publishers Weekly, starred review: "Slack's bug-eyed caricatures are an exuberant complement to Lewis's delightfully offbeat union of poetry and math."

From Booklist: "This book could come in handy for a variety of different classroom purposes."

Connections:

Create a featured poet display about J. Patrick Lewis. Collect and share his various works, such as:

- Arithme-Tickle: An Even Number of Odd Riddle Rhymes ISBN 9780152058487

- National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, 

  Soar, and Roar! ISBN 9781426310096

- Poem-mobiles: Crazy Car Poems ISBN 9780375866906

Learn more about J. Patrick Lewis by exploring his website: http://www.jpatricklewis.com

Find copies of the original poems and compare/share those along with the inspired versions written by J. Patrick Lewis.

Invite students to find a favorite classic poem and write an inspired version sharing a mathematical concept.

Identify each mathematical process or concept in each poem and solve the math puzzles.

Share other poetry collections about math, such as:

- Hungry for Math: Poems to Munch On by Kari-Lynn Winters and Lori Sherritt-Fleming

  ISBN 9781554553075

- Mathematickles! by Betsy Franco ISBN 9780689843570

- Marvelous Math: A Book of Poems by Lee Bennett Hopkins ISBN 9780689844423

*Images borrowed from www.barnesandnoble.com

You’ll add a good laugh to your reading diet with this one in your collection!

~ Mandy :)