Words & Words & Feeling: Poetry Collections

Maybe you just want to dip in and out of a poetry collection, finding one or two to suit your mood. Or possibly you'd like a themed collection that will take you on a poetic journey. Then again, you could want something contemporary and diverse, with other options besides poetry. Whatever you're craving, there's a book for it. Here are three poetry collections, traditional, modern, and unique.


Please Excuse This Poem: 100 New Poets for the Next Generation by Brett Fletcher Lauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A solid collection with plenty of variety, these 100 poems are comfortably current. The diversity in content and form lends itself to at-random choosing of a poem (or poems) to read, and there is a feeling of presence on each page - these aren't the tired old guy poems of yesterday. Author questionnaires at the end of the collection add to the contemporary feel.


Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty by Christine Heppermann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This collection of poems is tied together by the contrasts and intersections of traditional fairy tales and modern teenage girls. Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty all make appearances, along with other princesses, witches, and fair maidens - each showing there is more to the story than what fits between "Once upon a time," and "Happily ever after."

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Poetry is only a part of this collection of works by First Nations women, which also includes artwork, essays, and interviews. The juxtaposition of text and images is powerful, as is the variety of contributors - though more would always be nice. Because of the format, this reads like a literary magazine - aka, I didn't read cover-to-cover, but paged through, flipping back and forth as different illustrations and stories caught my eye. There are lots of ways this collection could be used for both pleasure reading or in an educational setting, but ideally it's only a starting point for more reading!


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Poem in Your Pocket Day

Bright Burns the Night

Words & Narratives: New Novels in Verse

Want to celebrate National Poetry Month and still read fiction? Novels in verse might just be your thing - they have all the characters and plot of a novel, narrated in poetry that can range from free verse (little to no pattern) to shape/concrete poems (physical structure) to specific poetic forms (grammatical and syllabic structure). Find one that suits your fancy!


Ebb and Flow by Heather Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jett has not had a great year – after his father goes to jail for his involvement in a drunk driving accident, he and his mother move away for a “fresh start” that doesn’t go the way either of them wanted. Now, Jett is back on the Eastern coast to spend the summer with his Grandma Jo, who speaks in puns and tells him stories about herself at his age, a young Joanna. Slowly, Jett tells his own story, and struggles with wanting things to go back to how they were while also hoping the summer will help him move on from the mistakes of the past year.move on from the mistakes of the past year.

As Grandma Jo says:
“…life is like the tides.
In, out.
Back, forth.
Push, pull.
High, low.
You just have to go with the flow, you know?” (p. 177)

Told in verse from Jett’s perspective, Ebb & Flow mimics the tides it refers to – swelling with emotion, pulling back, and surging again as Jett reveals his truths and secrets.


Knockout by K.A. Holt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Levi was born prematurely, and as a result he’s smaller than most of his classmates. And while sometimes he needs an inhaler or gets tired easily, he’s still mighty, and wants to prove he’s not as weak as his mom and brother think. When his dad offers to pay for a sport – any sport – he chooses boxing. That will show everyone how strong he is, right?

Shape poetry and Levi’s quick and punchy voice give this novel in verse plenty of heart. Readers will cheer for Levi as he makes his way through seventh grade, trying to avoid drama, keep his friendship with Tam, and impress everyone with his boxing.

 The Crossover and Rebound by Alexander Kwame
My ratings: 4 of 5 stars

With The Crossover and Rebound, Kwame Alexander does what he does best - tells a powerfully compelling story with fun and accessible language and imagery. We first meet the Bell brothers - Josh and Jordan - and their antics on and off the basketball court, and then in Rebound, we get the story of their father, Chuck, and how he came to be their supportive and admired basketball coach. Both books feature free verse and rhyming poetry that is dynamic, while Rebound also includes several full-page comic-style illustrations.

The Way the Light Bends by Cordelia Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sisters Linc and Holly could not be more different, which used to bring them closer together. These days, though, their differences are only highlighting the fact that had Linc not been born around the same time that their parents adopted Holly, they'd never even know each other, much less be friends. Told in free verse from Linc's perspective, this is a story of fitting in while accepting what makes you unique, and playing to your personal strengths instead of focusing on your weaknesses. The pared back yet clean language gives each word more emotional weight without straying into the abstract.


Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

15-year-old Will knows the rules. When someone you love is murdered - no crying, no snitching, revenge. Will is ready to follow these rules for his brother Shaun until he gets on the elevator and meets different people on each floor on the way down. Each of these people knows Will or his brother - but they're also all dead. What do they know that Will doesn't? And what will Will know by the time the elevator reaches the ground floor? Long Way Down is a fast read that lingers.

Extras: Sharp Teeth, Solo, Bull, or view all my reviews.

Osaka

I've been married for five months and it still feels like a dream - much like our few days in Osaka for our honeymoon. Though we flew into Tokyo, we didn't really explore it until the end of our trip. The day after we landed, we used our Japan Rail passes to ride the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka for a few days of soaking in local life, trying different foods, and getting used to Japanese public transportation.

If Tokyo is the sprawling metropolitan city of the future and Kyoto the quaint capital of the past, Osaka sits comfortably in the present. It's an informal, less pop-culture-y city proud of its food and drink (it's known as Japan's "kitchen"). It's down-to-earth, yet clean and modern.

That description fits our Airbnb as well - an unassuming little (tiny, by American standards) flat with modern conveniences, uncluttered and simple yet still cozy and charming. It was a short walk from the train station, tucked between larger apartment complexes and small counter restaurants. Since it only had one room (studio style), it worried us that we couldn't find the bathroom. There really weren't many places it could be! The shower was right off the kitchen area, but the toilet took us longer to find - until we realized it was behind the door we assumed to be a storage closet in the foyer.

That's my husband, posing on the bed that also served as a lounging area.
The kitchen is behind him; the shower is on the other side of the wall to the left.
The entryway (where the toilet is) is behind me, the photographer. It was the perfect amount of space for us!

Complimentary house shoes! (A trend for our whole trip.)

With the hunger that comes after a day of traveling, we set out to find some comfort food: ramen. We knew we found a good spot when we saw the line outside of the restaurant we chose. Besides the facts that orderly queues are a normal occurrence in Japan and this restaurant only has about 15 seats, if people are willing to line up to wait for the food being offered, that's an indication that it's worth it no matter where you are.

In the ramen queue!

We stepped inside to place our order and pay at the machine, holding onto our order ticket until there were seats available. The line moved rather quickly, and eventually we were seated inside at a small table opposite the counter that ran along the inside of the restaurant, separating the cooking area from the dining area. Our bowls of ramen joined us, and off we were, slurping and scooping to our stomachs' content.

On Wednesday, we visited several temples and shrines, explored the Osaka Aquarium (including the Ferris wheel), and walked through Dotonbori (Osaka's downtown nightlife area). We did a ton of walking, which both kept us warm and made us feel better about stopping frequently for snacks.

Sorihashi Bridge at Sumiyoshi Taisha

Five-story pagoda inside Shitennoji Temple

Namba Yasaka Shrine

Kitchen Alley

Kaiyukan - Osaka Aquarium

One of Dotonbori's most iconic views: The Running Man

Our second full day in Osaka was Thanksgiving in the States. Unsurprisingly, Japan does not celebrate Thanksgiving. They do celebrate Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23rd each year, which just so happened to fall on a Thursday in 2017. Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan means giving thanks to workers, and while government buildings are closed, most businesses stay open.

In the morning, we headed north of Osaka to see the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum and for a tour at Asahi Brewery. For the record, noodles and beer are a great way to start any day. Highly recommend.

YES, we made our own personalized cup noodles. Because of course we did.

They gave us each three (3) drink tickets, then apologized since we only had 20 minutes to drink those drinks.

After all the carbs, we took a train back into Osaka and took a leisurely walk through Nakanoshima Park on our way to Osaka Castle. By leisurely, I mean both of us had to use the restroom something fierce (all that free beer)...we ran-walked until we found a public toilet in the park, then stopped to smell the roses, making it to Osaka Castle just as the sun set and they turned the lights on. I can't speak for my husband, but I for one had lots to be grateful for in that moment.

Our final Osaka destination was the Umeda Sky Building, where we got a full 360-degree view of Osaka's skyline at night (plus a rather chilly view of the stars from the Floating Garden). It was the perfect way to say "mata ne" (see you later) as we'd be leaving early the next morning for Nara.

Extra: photos of our first night in Japan!

Bull

Bull by David Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story, told in verse, is a sharp and quick retelling of Theseus and the Minotaur. With Poseidon serving as narrator and each character stepping in to share their perspectives, there's plenty of variety and exploration of poetic styles and tones. Dark humor gives the story a modern edge and allows it to play with the content while the poetry keeps it structured.

Personally, I've never laughed so much while reading poetry, especially poetry about ancient Greece. I've always said I'm not a Greek mythology person, and yet I absolutely enjoyed this. It was punchy and fun, and begged to be read out loud (to my patient husband). For fans of verse novels, mythology, ensemble casts, and books that can be read in an afternoon.


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Migrations: A Storytelling Experience

As a part of my storytelling class, I attended a live storytelling performance on campus this past weekend. Stories are meant to be heard, which is why recordings and YouTube videos are important, but live is better than recorded when considering the emotional impact of a story.

This monthly event is part open mic and part storytelling performance, which meant I got to hear a variety of traditional tales, personal stories, and the featured teller's program. Hearing (and seeing) how others tell was a great way for me to think about the way I tell - do I remember to pause for drama (or comedy)? How do I stand? Do I have any verbal or physical tics?

Most powerfully, hearing the featured teller - Mama Edie Armstrong - along with several members of the Drum Divas showed me all the ways storytelling can reach an audience. She had us singing and dancing, laughing, sharing, and focused on her tales. Her program was called "Migrations: The Drums are Calling Us Home" and featured stories both personal and traditional, along with songs and educational interludes.

Mama Edie's style is suited for small gatherings (the audience was about 40-50 adults in a small lounge), but could easily translate to a larger performance. It was easy to see how she would work in a school setting or with younger audiences, as she asked for participation and used our reactions as teachable moments.

I was entertained, informed, and surprised at how quickly the time passed as Mama Edie told. The entire program was life-affirming and helped to show how storytelling is a connecting art form. I'm excited to continue my storytelling journey as I develop my librarian toolkit.

Words & Images: Picture Book Poetry for All

To kick off National Poetry Month, here are some new poetic picture books. Poetry is everywhere, and these diverse collections show poetry can be used in a variety of ways, from science class to group read-alouds, as bedtime stories or as performance. Don't let the "picture book" label limit you to using these selections only with children - teens and adults will get plenty of enjoyment out of these as well!

Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poems written in the style of and celebrating well-known poets who have influenced the writers (Alexander, Colderley, and Wentworth) are magnificently highlighted with Ekua Holmes' illustrations. This collection reminds us poetry is both powerful and playful, inspiring and inspired by. These poems beg to be read out loud and used as a starting point for more wondering.


Black Girl Magic by Mahogany L. Browne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With a dedication stating “This book is for you,” this spirited poem of strength and finding beauty in yourself despite what the world expects of you lifts up black women, acknowledging their accomplishments and struggles, and gives young black girls an anthem of support. The text is accompanied by striking black, white, and red illustrations that amplify the empowering message of the poem.

In the Past: From Trilobites to Dinosaurs to Mammoths in More Than 500 Million Years by David Elliott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This collection of poems about ancient creatures ranges from the humble Trilobite to the mighty Quetzacoatlus and proves that anything can be poetic. Perfect for dinosaur fans of any age, In the Past includes a geologic timeline and notes for each ancient creature along with realistic mixed media images. The poetry is light-hearted and informative and plays on the illustrations on each page.

Martin Rising: Requiem For a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this collection of “docu-poems,” author Andrea Davis Pinkney presents the final months of Dr. King’s life. With a musicality of language and along with Brian Pinkney’s illuminating and spiritual paintings, each poem carries a different emotional tone and honors multiple facets of King’s life – his work, his family, and his ministry. This selection works on its own as a memorial of Dr. King’s life, but would also be a powerful read aloud in a classroom or theater setting, or as a part of a larger program for students at any age.

The Horse's Haiku by Michael J. Rosen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This collection of haiku about horses is organized into three sections: In the Field, At the Barn, and Under Saddle. Watercolor illustrations on each page allow the reader’s eye to graze while the mind contemplates the sparse verse. A note on haiku concludes the collection and teaches the reader how to enjoy haiku in everyday life. The Horse’s Haiku would be suitable for a read aloud for younger children, or as a read along as part of a larger poetry unit for older elementary students.

With My Hands: Poems About Making Things by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This collection celebrates the “joy of making” with over 20 poems about different creative activities, each written in unique styles. The illustrations are also varied, ranging from crayon and colored pencil sketches to mixed media collages and paintings. With My Hands would pair well with an arts and crafts session, or as inspiration for creative pursuits of all types.

Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up by Sally M. Walker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Geographical concepts and natural events like minerals, fossils, earthquakes, and volcanoes are explored in this collection of haiku, accompanied by impressionistic and muted colored pencil illustrations. Each concept is explained in further detail at the end of the book, and a suggested reading list is also included, making this a perfect poetic tie-in or an added “layer” of a geology curriculum.

Did You Hear What I Heard?: Poems about School by Kay Winters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Over 30 poems fill this colorful collection – all about bus rides, fire drills, recess, field trips, tests, and teachers. Stylistically, the poems range from structured stanzas to free verse to singsong rhymes. Bright and playful illustrations make this collection suitable for younger students and perfect for classroom read-alouds or as a starting point for students to write their own school-themed poems.

Extras: More picture book & easy-to-read poetry here! or View all my reviews