Gone Camping
Page 4
Sam
Night Crawlers
Tercet Variation
Dark night.
Flashlight.
Dad and I hunt worms tonight.
Grass slick.
Worms thick.
Tiptoe near and grab them quick.
Hold firm.
They squirm.
Tug-o-war with earth and worm.
Ninety-four.
Worms galore.
Set our bucket near the door.
Next day.
No delay.
Look out, fish—we’re on our way!
Sam
Just Dad and Me
Free Verse Poem
For fishing tomorrow
it’s just us two.
Not Mom, not Grandpa,
not Lucy.
It’ll be like playing catch or
painting the garage.
Just Dad and me.
Fishing.
Sam
My Tackle Box
Switcheroo Poem
I love my fishing tackle box—it’s green and blue and gold.
My grandpa gave it to me when I wasn’t very old.
I need to get it ready for tomorrow at the lake.
We’re leaving in the morning just as soon as we’re awake.
One tiny click and now my treasure chest is open wide.
A shelf with lots of little spaces holds my gear inside.
My silver sinkers, wiggle worms, my floating frogs, my line.
My shiny spinner lures, my bobbers, hooks—there’re twenty-nine.
The shelf is on a hinge—it hides my secret space below.
It’s where I keep my special treasures out of sight—
OH NO! . . .
Where’s my compass?
Where’s my map?
Where’s my lucky fishing cap?
Where’s my stringer?
Something’s wrong!
This princess doll does not belong!
What is this?
A throne?
A crown?
A polka-dotted circus clown?
A tiny bottle of perfume?
I smell Lucy in my room!
Buy the Book
Visit www.hmhco.com or your favorite retailer to purchase the book in its entirety.
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About the Author
TAMERA WISSINGER writes poetry and stories for children, including Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse, This Old Band, and There Was an Old Lady Who Gobbled a Skink. Tamera believes part of the fun of camping is that no two adventures are exactly alike, but the one constant—and the very best part of camping—is those you take with you who stay by your side no matter what. Tamera lives with her husband near a sleepy Florida river bay.
Learn more at www.tamerawillwissinger.com
About the Illustrator
MATTHEW CORDELL has illustrated many picture and chapter books for children, including his most recent picture book, Wish. When he was a kid, Matthew’s favorite things about camping were sleeping in a tent with his big brother, making and eating every meal outdoors, and hanging out all day on the lake with his family and the fish. He lives with his wife and their two children outside of Chicago, Illinois.
Learn more at www.matthewcordell.com