Relatively Speaking: Poems about Family
Relatively Speaking: Poems About Family is a young adult poetry book by Ralph Fletcher, with drawings by Walter Lyon Krudop. Scholastic published it in 1999, and the book has 48 pages.
The book follows a youngest boy who describes his family and their life together through poems. Scenes include making corn on the cob, his brother’s accident, a family reunion, a rarely seen cousin, and his uncle’s funeral. Some readers call it a novel-in-verse.
The poems use simple, universal themes and a realistic voice. The black-and-white drawings add small details like a favorite quilt, a water bucket, and a sponge used to wash the car. Together, the poems show how the family members fit together and support each other.
Critics praised the book for its clear voice and relatable family moments, noting that it helps readers understand family identity.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 01:42 (CET).