At Jerusalem's Gate by Nikki Grimes and David Frampton

 
 

TITLE: At Jerusalem's Gate
AUTHOR: Nikki Grimes 

ILLUSTRATOR: David Frampton

PUBLISHED BY: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2005

ISBN: 0802851835

I don't want to review this book, other than to say Frampton's woodcuts are amazing, and Grimes free-verse poetry is better suited to a slightly older child--one who has been catechized, and who has been taught some fairly advanced poetry (probably 4-6th grades).  My one complaint is that the book is entirely in free verse.  But Grimes captures the scenes of the Passion very powerfully, and offers rich meditations on the different actors in those fateful days.  To convince you of its merit I am simply going to quote my favorite of the poems, "The Last Goodbye" told in the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

The Last Goodbye
So, this is how
you have him
wrenched from me--
permitting lying lips,

leather lash,

holy men flinging

fistfuls of anger

sharp as the spikes

that split his sweet muscle,

spoiled his smooth skin.

I'd have gladly laid him

unblemished, unbroken

on the altar, had you asked.

You gave me some sway

in his beginning.

Why not his end?

Look at him.

I could never kiss away

half those bruises.

His countless wounds

would dye

all my cloth crimson.

Besides, these human hands

hold no healing.

Maybe it's best

if I go with John now,

if I say goodbye

and let my son fly

to your arms.

For more of a preview, check out the book on Google Books.
 
 

The Passover