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Poetry Anthologies
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From: Connie Rockman <connie.rock>
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 05:56:47 -0700
I know we are supposed to be considering the NCTE award poets, but I want to be sure that all subscribers to CCBC, especially those who may be new to the field, are aware of the anthologies Ruth Gordon was referring to in her signature ("Big Grandma--once-upon-a-time gatherer of flowers").
Ruth Gordon published three of the finest poetry anthologies for teens: Under All Silences: The Many Shades of Love (HarperCollins, 1987), Peeling the Onion (HarperCollins, 1993), and Pierced by a Ray of Sun: Poems about the Times We Feel Alone (HarperCollins, 1995).
They are every bit as compelling and carefully selected as that classic by Stephen Dunning - Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle. Having just taught a class on poetry in a course on Literature for Adolescents, I was reminded again how important these anthologies are to help teachers identify the poems through which middle school and high school students can find their own emotional reality.
Similarly, over the course of a long career, Nancy Larrick published anthologies for children that always had catchy titles and exciting, interesting poems. Crazy to be Alive in Such a Strange World was her anthology for teens. Sadly, Larrick's books seem to be out of print, but are available in most libraries and well worth finding. She worked closely with classroom groups of children to choose both the poems and the titles of her anthologies, which deserve to be made available again
(any publishers listening?)
Anthologists do more than just choose poems for a collection. Deciding the order of the poems, which ones complement others, how to represent different viewpoints and various aspects of an emotion . . . all are part of the anthologist's craft. Paul Janeczko is another who carefully selects, arranges, and chooses compelling poems and titles for his anthologies. So while we discuss the poet's craft, let's sing the praises of the anthologist as well.
Connie Rockman Children's Literature Consultant Stratford, CT
Ruth I Gordon wrote:
Received on Mon 10 Apr 2000 07:56:47 AM CDT
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 05:56:47 -0700
I know we are supposed to be considering the NCTE award poets, but I want to be sure that all subscribers to CCBC, especially those who may be new to the field, are aware of the anthologies Ruth Gordon was referring to in her signature ("Big Grandma--once-upon-a-time gatherer of flowers").
Ruth Gordon published three of the finest poetry anthologies for teens: Under All Silences: The Many Shades of Love (HarperCollins, 1987), Peeling the Onion (HarperCollins, 1993), and Pierced by a Ray of Sun: Poems about the Times We Feel Alone (HarperCollins, 1995).
They are every bit as compelling and carefully selected as that classic by Stephen Dunning - Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle. Having just taught a class on poetry in a course on Literature for Adolescents, I was reminded again how important these anthologies are to help teachers identify the poems through which middle school and high school students can find their own emotional reality.
Similarly, over the course of a long career, Nancy Larrick published anthologies for children that always had catchy titles and exciting, interesting poems. Crazy to be Alive in Such a Strange World was her anthology for teens. Sadly, Larrick's books seem to be out of print, but are available in most libraries and well worth finding. She worked closely with classroom groups of children to choose both the poems and the titles of her anthologies, which deserve to be made available again
(any publishers listening?)
Anthologists do more than just choose poems for a collection. Deciding the order of the poems, which ones complement others, how to represent different viewpoints and various aspects of an emotion . . . all are part of the anthologist's craft. Paul Janeczko is another who carefully selects, arranges, and chooses compelling poems and titles for his anthologies. So while we discuss the poet's craft, let's sing the praises of the anthologist as well.
Connie Rockman Children's Literature Consultant Stratford, CT
Ruth I Gordon wrote:
Received on Mon 10 Apr 2000 07:56:47 AM CDT
