1. In April 1917, the US declares war on Germany and Americans will join the fighting in France. Richard, a 10th grade student, learns about the famous poet Joyce Kilmer who works for The New York Times and volunteered to fight for America. 2. After Richard's teacher reads one of Kilmer's poems to the class, another student criticizes the poet as being "sissy" but the teacher defends Kilmer for his bravery in volunteering to fight. 3. Richard admires Kilmer for being both a poet and brave soldier. He borrows Kilmer's book of poems and writes down the editor's address at The New York Times in his notebook.

1. DEAR MR. KILMER
BY: ANNE SCHRAFF
SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 2
1. In April 1917, Americadeclareswaron Germany.Americanswill jointhe fightingin France.
2. It isspring. Richard isinthe tenth-grade. One day,Richard’steacherMrs.Hansen readsa poem
“Trees”by Joyce Kilmer,tothe class. Mr. Kilmerisafamouspoetwhoworksfor “The NewYork
Times”.
3. AbnerLewisgrumblesthatthe poemandthe poetare sissy. Mrs. HansenexplainsthatMr.
KilmerhasvolunteeredtofightforAmericaalthoughhe isapoet. She thengivesexamplesof
poetswhodiedfightingfortheircountryandpoetswhoare biggertrouble makersthanAbner
to shuthimup.
4. Mr. KilmerisRichard’snewherobecause he isapoetwhofeelsaboutnature like himandhe is
brave to fightoverseasforAmerica.
5. RichardborrowsMr. Kilmer’sbook“TreesandOtherPoems”fromMrs. Hansen. He alsowrites
downthe addressof the office of the editorfor“The New York Times”inhisnotebook.
6. Afterschool,HannahSchermerscriesinthe hallwaybecause someone hasscrawled“Dirty
Hun”, all overherbookcover. Richardtellssome of hisschoolmateslikeAbner,harrycarver
and BlancherFreeboldaboutit,buttheyare meanto herand herparents. Theysay that the
Schermersare Huns andtheyare unpatrioticbecause theyspeakGermanandserve Hunfoodat
theirtavernwhile awar isgoingon againstGermany.
7. Richardreads Mr. Kilmer’spoetrybookinhisroomandwritesa lettertohimabout hisfearsand
problems. He tellsMr.Kilmerthat he is alone andaskshimif he shouldkeephidinghispoems
or tell everyoneaboutthem.