The poems you are about to read were written and selected by sixth graders of the Fairfield Middle School in Fairfield, Iowa. These eleven- and twelveyear- olds were exposed to a wide variety of poetry throughout the year. Students read, chanted, sang, rapped, acted-out, interpreted, memorized, and recited poems from famous authors. They also learned how to write many different types of poems, including Japanese tanka, haiku and magazine haiku, acrostic, bio, cinquain, color poems, concrete, couplets, diamante, holiday poems, limericks, ocean research, and title down poems. The poems in this book are the culmination of what they learned. Some are funny, clever, creative, and silly, while others are serious or sad; yet all convey the thoughts and emotions of these young, budding writers. I'm proud of their work and willingness to share this personal side of themselves with others. Happy reading! Ann Gookin, 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Fairfield Middle School