I’m not a regular reader of poetry, and I don’t remember a time when I really was, save a short fascination with the works of Shel Silverstein. But I do love the opportunity to focus on poetry in the month of April, which has been declared National Poetry Month. We kick it off with a giveaway today, and look for more throughout the month.
A high school boyfriend either did read poetry or I assumed him to (you know the type), and I bought him some giant compilation of love poems, marking the ones that I thought applied to our love. Yeah, poetry and high school “love” go together pretty well trying to expressing the inexpressible, fraught with emotion. Embarrassing teenage love gifts aside, I remember memorizing some poems for school and competing a few times in the poetry section of our speech meets. But it never really grabbed me.
But if poetry is going to take hold to someone’s heart — and isn’t that what happens for those who truly love poetry? — it seems that the junior high and high school years are a wonderful time for that to happen, illustrated perfectly in “How I Discovered Poetry” a poem by Marilyn Nelson.
The introduction to the book, which you can read in the excerpt tab at the Sourcebooks page is also a great testament as to why poetry speaks to teens.
Poetry Speaks Who I Am is aimed at tweens and teens. I would say that high school and up is probably most appropriate, because there are some poems about teen angst and kissing (plus). But there are some poems that you could definitely share with your tween. I couldn’t resist telling Amanda to read the funny-to-me-but-maybe-not-to-her “Bra Shopping” by Parneshia Jones.
“What We Might Be, What We Are,” by X.J. Kennedy has an upbeat meter, and interesting comparisons, that ends in a bit of a head-scratching way, leaving me to ponder the meaning.
This volume is filled with poems from contemporary and classic poets: one from Shakespeare himself, a few from Langston Hughes (who I enjoy reading whenever I come across them), and a few from Robert Frost that while they are so very familiar, when read within the context of the subtitle of this book, Poems of Discovery, Inspiration, Independence, and Everything Else,, well — “that has made all the difference.”
Another bonus is a CD containing some of the poems ead by the poets themselves. Some are lacking in style, but a few really come to life when read in the author’s own voice. It’s a good accompaniment.
We have a copy available to one of you. Please leave a comment if you would like to receive Poetry Speaks Who I Am (U.S. shipping addresses only). We’ll announce the winner in our giveaway review post on April 14.
Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter.
Jennifer doesn’t read poetry a lot.
She thought she’d give this book a shot.
Jennifer blogs at Snapshot.
I’d love to win a copy to share with my students and staff! Thanks for the great opportunity!
I would love to win this. I know just who I could share it with.
debp
[email protected]
I would like this.
Wow! I love poetry and would be thrilled if I won this.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would like to read this.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I would love to read this. i adore poetry
Sounds like an interesting read…luv to give it a try, thanks.
I would love to win this to give to my niece Sarah!
poetry is for everyone
I work in a public school system, and this would be very nice in our informal lending library.
OH! I have a 13 y/o daughter who WRITES poetry–in all it’s angst-ridden, obvious rhyming glory! Her poetry positively drips with sorrow and pain (in the rain. Yes it does!). She NEEDS this book!!! I hopehopehopehope I win!
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS FOR MY DAUGHTER.
I’ve written poetry most of my life and have taught poetry to children. I would love to add this book to my collection!
Count me in! I’d use it at school.
I love poetry and even write some so this would be great for me
Please count me in on this giveaway. thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I would love to win this book. Growing up I was never into poetry all that much but I read some of the poems in this book when I saw it in Barnes and Noble and I loved the realness of them. Thank you for considering me.
I want to win this book so I can share it with my elementary students, who are learning about poetry and writing of all sorts. They adore poetry lessons so I know this would be popular! Thanks.
I’d love this for my daughter – she loves poetry 🙂
This is an awesome book. Love the cover. I’m putting this one on my wish list for my HS library. A book with both contemporary and classic poetry will be a big hit with my budding poets and the bonus of a CD, will sweeten the deal for most of them. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Yep, I’m a nerdy giddy librarian. 🙂
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
I would love this for my niece…..sign me up….
I would love a copy. I teach struggling readers at a middle school. Would be a nice addition to my classroom library. Thanks.
Sounds like a great book! Would love to win!
Sounds great, thanks for offering it!
I love to share poems with others.
My son is learning about poetry at school. This would be nice to have.
This would be a fun book to add to my family’s library ~ please enter me
I have a tween and a teen. This would be great for them.
I would love to win this, thanks for the chance!
My tween and I both love poetry! Thanks for the chance to win this.
My nieces love poetry!
I would love to win a copy sounds like a great book, Thanks for the giveawy
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love to win a copy of this to read. =)
What a lovely book!
I would enjoy this book! Thanks!
Sounds like a good book
I’d love a copy of this book!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I would love to win a copy of this book
Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in 🙂
I have always enjoyed poetry. would be nice to win & share with friends
I’d like this
I love poetry
I would love to be entered in your giveaway:)
Please enter me 🙂
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
I’d love to win a copy!
Thanks for the great contest!
[email protected]
i would love to win it. i love enjoy poetry a lot.