CCBC-Net Archives
Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Karen L. Simonetti <klsimonetti>
Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 11:51:57 -0600
Admittedly, I use poetry in almost every type of literature?sed programming I do. And, okay, I closely follow my fellow poetry
"conspirators" (Hazel Rochman and Donna Seaman) over at Booklist (where
-Heart to Heart- was named "Top of the List winner - Youth Nonfiction" in this past January's Editors' Choice 2001 titles). Be that as it may, I firmly believe that overall poetry can capture its audience quicker, faster and better than almost every type of writing. It's all in matter of presentation. And wow! What a fabulous job, Jan Greenberg did in editing this anthology!
Contrary to what I did/do when presenting this year's Newbery winner, -A Single Shard-, I do keep the cover jacket on when presenting this book to YAs. And then! I take it off and let it be passed around (especially as the book's cover itself has the same imprint). As I don't excel in articulating graphics, I'll be brief: the colors, lettering font and arrangement coupled with Stuart Davis' "Premier" visually pulsates + is a wonderful compliment to the book's title. And what could be more perfect than the bright yellow end papers (?). It's not a caution of "boring materials ahead", but of "Watch out! Illustrations and words to rock your soul!"
Additionally, the thorough Biographical Notes on Poets, Biographical Notes on Artists and Photograph Credits complete the anthology's credibility and treats its audience with the proper respect; ie, YAs will want to know more. Perhaps it's my old eyes, but I wish the font in the Photograph Credits was a bit larger...especially for those works of art where the reader may want to easily go online to see more of the contributing (?) museum's collections.
The Introduction is perfect! Sets up the book without droning on forever and loosing the momentum of opening up the book. I felt the four motifs by which the works are grouped -Stories, Voices, Impressions and Expressions- were a natural and certainly took away some of the "fear of poetry" that I often see in wincing YAs approaching poetry. Reread the last paragraph! Greenberg superbly sums up a variety of ways that the reader can experience the book.
Of course, what is particularly nice for one wishing to booktalk this title is the size of the illustrations! (I've been known to print out the poem and hold it -secretly behind the book- while walking around the room reading the poem and holding up the book.) And the plethora of poetry is such that if one needs to choose another poem to use with the group, it can be done in a flash! (I don't always have the luxury of knowing my audience before I go in.)
I just wish I had a poem or illustration with which to conclude this ramble of a post!?!
Karen Sue...
...who has also put this title into adult sections of libraries with a sign that says "The BEST book your teen hasn't told you about..."*
*It works every time! Hmm...maybe I should put a sign in the YA sections saying, "Don't tell your parents about this book!"?!?!
We have art so that we may not die of reality.
-Nietzsche Karen L. Simonetti phone: 312.337.7114 email: klsimonetti at earthlink.net
Received on Tue 05 Mar 2002 11:51:57 AM CST
Date: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 11:51:57 -0600
Admittedly, I use poetry in almost every type of literature?sed programming I do. And, okay, I closely follow my fellow poetry
"conspirators" (Hazel Rochman and Donna Seaman) over at Booklist (where
-Heart to Heart- was named "Top of the List winner - Youth Nonfiction" in this past January's Editors' Choice 2001 titles). Be that as it may, I firmly believe that overall poetry can capture its audience quicker, faster and better than almost every type of writing. It's all in matter of presentation. And wow! What a fabulous job, Jan Greenberg did in editing this anthology!
Contrary to what I did/do when presenting this year's Newbery winner, -A Single Shard-, I do keep the cover jacket on when presenting this book to YAs. And then! I take it off and let it be passed around (especially as the book's cover itself has the same imprint). As I don't excel in articulating graphics, I'll be brief: the colors, lettering font and arrangement coupled with Stuart Davis' "Premier" visually pulsates + is a wonderful compliment to the book's title. And what could be more perfect than the bright yellow end papers (?). It's not a caution of "boring materials ahead", but of "Watch out! Illustrations and words to rock your soul!"
Additionally, the thorough Biographical Notes on Poets, Biographical Notes on Artists and Photograph Credits complete the anthology's credibility and treats its audience with the proper respect; ie, YAs will want to know more. Perhaps it's my old eyes, but I wish the font in the Photograph Credits was a bit larger...especially for those works of art where the reader may want to easily go online to see more of the contributing (?) museum's collections.
The Introduction is perfect! Sets up the book without droning on forever and loosing the momentum of opening up the book. I felt the four motifs by which the works are grouped -Stories, Voices, Impressions and Expressions- were a natural and certainly took away some of the "fear of poetry" that I often see in wincing YAs approaching poetry. Reread the last paragraph! Greenberg superbly sums up a variety of ways that the reader can experience the book.
Of course, what is particularly nice for one wishing to booktalk this title is the size of the illustrations! (I've been known to print out the poem and hold it -secretly behind the book- while walking around the room reading the poem and holding up the book.) And the plethora of poetry is such that if one needs to choose another poem to use with the group, it can be done in a flash! (I don't always have the luxury of knowing my audience before I go in.)
I just wish I had a poem or illustration with which to conclude this ramble of a post!?!
Karen Sue...
...who has also put this title into adult sections of libraries with a sign that says "The BEST book your teen hasn't told you about..."*
*It works every time! Hmm...maybe I should put a sign in the YA sections saying, "Don't tell your parents about this book!"?!?!
We have art so that we may not die of reality.
-Nietzsche Karen L. Simonetti phone: 312.337.7114 email: klsimonetti at earthlink.net
Received on Tue 05 Mar 2002 11:51:57 AM CST
