ANOTHER DAY AS EMILY by Eileen Spinelli

New Poetry for Children and Young Adults

Spinelli, Eileen. 2014. ANOTHER DAY AS EMILY. illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780449809877.

Another Day as Emily is a novel in verse by Eileen Spinelli for upper elementary and middle school grades. Eleven year old, Suzy, is the main character in this wonderful story. Her brother calls 911, when an elderly neighbor has "a spell". He becomes the local hero and Suzy finds herself jealous of the attention he is getting, especially when he ruins her birthday plans. Her best friend, Alison, is very different from Suzy, but they find themselves to be kindred spirits. Alison talks Suzy into trying out for a play, but when Alison gets a part and Suzy doesn't, Suzy finds herself more disappointed than she ever imagined. Suzy feels as if she is cast aside from many directions, and she finds solace in reading Emily Dickinson poems, and decides to live the same life that Emily lived. Suzy finds that being a recluse is more difficult than she thought. Will Suzy be able to continue this life with no friends and no outings?

Critical Analysis

Another Day as Emily is a new book, published in May of 2014, written in free verse. The short poems will be appealing to young readers, especially reluctant readers. Children, especially girls ages 8 to 12, will relate to the main character. Suzy faces many challenges that children face, such as jealousy of a younger sibling, a first crush, and fighting with your best friend. Emotions are high throughout the book, just like young girls' emotions. 

Many of the poems in the book are fabulous, filled with sensory images. When Suzy goes outside, the poems are beautifully written and create a world for the reader where we can even feel the wind that Suzy feels. For the most part, the poems have a rhythm, and pause at the end of the line in a natural way. The end of the lines have an effect on the reader to pause and take in the meaning and imagery of the words. However, there are a few poems/chapters in the book that are written choppy. Eileen Spinelli does a fabulous job of writing as a child and allowing the reader to see the mind of Suzy, the eleven year old. 

Spotlight Poem

Into the Breeze

It's a bright afternoon.

I ride my bike

into the warm breeze,

away from the house,

along the bike path.

Trees ripple green.

The light is golden.

The sky is blue.

And I am a bird

flying.....

flying.....

Alison doesn't know

what she's missing.

~Eileen Spinnelli

While reading this poem aloud, I would have children close their eyes and pretend they were on a bicycle. If it is a warm, sunny, day, I would take them outside to read the poem.

Classroom Connections

Reading Emily Dickinson poems would be a great connection to go with this book, especially "I'm Nobody, Who Are You?", which is mentioned several times in this book. 

There is a poem in the book titled, "Mrs. Harden's Treasure Box". After reading, have students draw items they would have if they had a treasure box. 

Another Day as Emily could accompany a history lesson, where students could research the dress and transportation back in the 1800s. There are numerous references to people and the dress during the time that Emily Dickinson was alive. There is a poem, "OH", where Suzy's dad gives her a history lesson on the bicycle and how only men could ride bicycles. This would be a great discussion starter for your classroom. 

Other Novels in Verse by Eileen Spinelli

WHERE I LIVE. 2007. Dial Books ISBN 9780803731226.

THE DANCING PANCAKE. 2010. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780375858703.

SUMMERHOUSE TIME. 2007. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780375840616.