Where the Sidewalk Ends

Silverstein, S. (1974). Where the sidewalk ends. New York: HarperCollins.

Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book; New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year; New York Times Notable ; George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award.

 

As a general rule, boys and poetry don’t mix. However, Shel Silverstein in Where the Sidewalk Ends had my sons and boys in my classrooms enthralled and trying their hand at writing poetry. The poems throughout this book are engaging and memorable. One in particular I remember from when I was in high school as it was put to music—“Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout would not take the garbage out”. That and “People from Mars” are still my two favorite poems in this book. This book will definitely put a smile on any gloomy day.