Buy new:
-19% $15.37
FREE delivery Friday, May 24 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$15.37 with 19 percent savings
List Price: $18.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Friday, May 24 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 8 hrs 18 mins
In Stock
$$15.37 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.37
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$7.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Friday, May 24 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 8 hrs 18 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.37 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.37
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Bob Raczka
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems Hardcover – March 8, 2016

by Bob Raczka (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 90 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$15.37","priceAmount":15.37,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"15","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"37","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"l38f8usrECKF5B2jrTS5ZVEMx3pkTkdjqB3FuAAbJX%2BFfVcIcEC7y3LEYED55udcWnEAHyhU8FOVLtztiUch%2B76bFSpXmvbDm%2BUz3fI7FuQ89gSlOvZYhY5KR5IxjmtuWllDRDc4PTnCPZa%2Bl9andQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$7.99","priceAmount":7.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"7","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"l38f8usrECKF5B2jrTS5ZVEMx3pkTkdjwnDPfZzqI49mVwQsO6yCn3%2Fyu3O8CcyESK2bTbht%2BpF0G0kIsfX0mPyVJiK96ZZ9i0TiX59rcJLmu4NYDbn7Vx5nuecPae75hlTbkTpHKuv1nNYYuEdxbhla2n3UqsypAYnU0ZMnaGsaPEN2aHkaEw9OARlyn136","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Who says words need to be concrete? This collection shapes poems in surprising and delightful ways.

Concrete poetry is a perennially popular poetic form because they are fun to look at. But by using the arrangement of the words on the page to convey the meaning of the poem, concrete or shape poems are also easy to write! From the author of the incredibly inventive Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word comes another clever collection that shows kids how to look at words and poetry in a whole new way.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 4
  5. Lexile measure
    580L
  6. Dimensions
    6.88 x 0.36 x 9.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Roaring Brook Press
  8. Publication date
    March 8, 2016
  9. ISBN-10
    1626722366
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1626722361
  11. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems
$15.37
Get it as soon as Friday, May 24
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Daniel Finds a Poem
$15.05
Get it as soon as Friday, May 24
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Stella: Poet Extraordinaire (Stella Writes Poetry)
$5.99
Get it as soon as Friday, May 24
Only 13 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—At the start of this collection, Raczka notes that he likes to think of poems as "word paintings," and he demonstrates this philosophy to marvelous effect. In each of his 21 concrete poems, he groups the words in a shape that complements or emphasizes the meaning or central concept. Raczka goes even further, playfully arranging the letters in the one-word titles of his poems as well. Even the table of contents is constructed to resemble a table. The result is a fun and clever collection that is sure to inspire young poets. While short, the poems are by turns amusing and thoughtful and make excellent use of figurative language devices. A selection about the Big Dipper includes a metaphor that describes the constellation as "a vessel of stars, my brim overflowing with night." Another offering depicts a thunderstorm as "a cloud tantrum." A few layouts may test some readers, such as one about a home run in which one whole line is printed backward, but most students will enjoy the challenge. VERDICT This winning assortment should find a place in most libraries.—Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Abington School District, PA

Review

A 2016 NCTE Notable Poetry Book

"Kids will want to wade deeply into this marvelous, winning mix-up." -Kirkus, starred review

"This is arguably Raczka's best poetry work to date." -Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This winning assortment should find a place in most libraries" -School Library Journal, starred review

"Graphic design meets riddle meets visual wordplay in this collection of sturdy and joyful perspectives on the ordinary stuff of the world."-The Horn Book, starred review

"When this title is paired with Raczka's other collection, Lemonade: and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word, even the poetry-resistant kids are bound to discover something to delight them. " -BCCB, starred review

"Aspiring wordsmiths should find plenty of inspiration here." -Booklist

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Roaring Brook Press; First Edition (March 8, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1626722366
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1626722361
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 580L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.88 x 0.36 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 90 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Bob Raczka

Bob Raczka

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

My wife Amy and I are the co-creators of three masterpieces: Robert, Carl and Emma. We live in Glen Ellyn, Illinois with our 10 year-old mutt, Rufus, who is also a piece of work.

I was born in Chicago, the oldest of four boys, and grew up in the suburb of Des Plaines. As a kid I loved to draw. I was also into making balsa wood airplanes and model rockets. My favorite sport has always been baseball.

Bob Raczka's Art Adventures is my ongoing nonfiction series published by The Millbrook Press. There are currently 14 books in the series. The latest, called Before They Were Famous: How Seven Artists Got Their Start, is a Junior Library Guild selection.

I've also written a series of four books about the seasons, published by Albert Whitman: Spring Things, Summer Wonders, Who Loves the Fall? and Snowy Blowy Winter.

My current love is writing children's poetry. My poetry titles include:

• Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

• Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word (Roaring Brook)

• Fall Mixed Up (Carolrhoda)

• Joy in Mudville (Carolrhoda)

• Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole (Carolrhoda)

• Presidential Misadventures: Poems that Poke Fun at the Man in Charge (Roaring Brook)

For more information, please visit my website at bobraczka.com

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
90 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K.W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring young, creative writers
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is fantastic. I've used it with young students (Grades K-2) to help them get started on their own writing.
Helpful
 Report
pansylady223
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome new book!!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
My granddaugher is 8 and read this to me when the book came. She absolutely LOVED it. She kept looking and the cover and said three times, "This book should get an award!" This book is much more clever than his previous book Lemonade. (a great book but difficult to read) I would highly recommend this book to get kids interested in poetry. Good spin off for a lesson to have kids write their own poem in Raczka's model.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Lindsey Gemmer
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect poem book
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
My students loved this book! And so did I! It’s such a great way to teach concrete poems.
Helpful
 Report
Tamara D Newell
4.0 out of 5 stars Mentor text for writing
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
Adorable and creative concrete (shape) poems. Super short read, but one I’d definitely use as a model for writing for my classroom.
Helpful
 Report
Suzy
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is so great! I love using it with my students when ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is so great! I love using it with my students when I teach poetry. The author is so creative in writing these concrete poems.
Helpful
 Report
SM
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Exactly what I needed to teach my students how to write concrete poems!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jeri Popma
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Concrete Example
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
These are great examples of concrete poems to share with my third graders.
Helpful
 Report
Jenny Gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
It was what I expected.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Milca S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful poetry
Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love poetry but cannot write concrete/shape poems! So much thought goes into these simple looking word play. Fun to read and study. My students also enjoyed perusing the book during our poetry unit
Report
Mle Sophie T.
5.0 out of 5 stars sehr kreativ!
Reviewed in Germany on October 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
Genau was ich erwartet habe. Sehr anregend. Ich würde es sogar im Unterricht benutzen.
Report