I think this book would be ideal for grades 3-5, because it introduces poetry in a fun way and the ideas are concrete rather than abstract. The second half of the book is full of the forgiveness letters written back to the students. The first half of the book is written in a variety of poem styles, each page with a different apology letter. 'This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness' is a book full of lighthearted, and sometimes quite funny, apology letters written by sixth-grade students. They can also have their students research the types of poems used and then create their own class anthology. Teachers could use this book to read aloud to their classes throughout the year. It would be too advanced for younger elementary students. It also shows that poetry can be accessible to younger students and can be fun. This is a great example of a poetry picture book because it uses so many different types of poems. Each poem uses a different font and format making it very authentic and interesting. They range from comical to heartbreaking to familiar. The illustrations are contemporary and resemble what a middle school student might journal. Zagarenski said she wanted it to be authentic with what students might doodle on-notebook paper, newspaper, and reinforcement dots. Most students view poetry as drab, old-people stuff but these illustrations show otherwise. The illustrations made this book fun and accessible. The “classroom project” was inspired by William Carlos Williams’ poem This is Just to Say. The apologies are followed by a collection of responses to the original poems. “This is Just to Say” is a brilliant collection of apology poems written by a mock 6th grade class.

This Is Just to Say by Joyce Sidman