Poetry

Gr 5-8– Fandel demystifies the mechanics of poetry, clearly explaining rhyme types, rhythms and meters, poetic forms and free verse, and how word sounds enhance meaning and emotion. The concepts are illustrated with enticing selections from Robert Frost, Lang- ston Hughes, Mary Oliver, and other wordsmiths, making this attractive volume a must-have for both readers and writers of poetry. B

RAMPERSAD, Arnold & David Roessel, eds. Langston Hughes. illus. by Benny Andrews. 48p. (Poetry for Young People Series). index. notes. CIP. Sterling. 2006. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-4027-1845-4. LC 2005025369.

Gr 4 Up –A concise overview of Hughes’s life and his writing introduces this collection of 26 poems, including “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “The Weary Blues,” and “I, Too.” Accompanied by a brief explanation and occasional footnotes, each poem is reflected in an animated, full-color, folk-art illustration. B

SOTO, Gary. A Fire in My Hands: Revised and Expanded Edition. 74p. CIP. Harcourt. 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 0-15-205564-9. LC 2005024610.

Gr 6-10 –Describing incidents and emotions that will speak to teens, these 31 free-verse poems present an eloquent, insightful, and often amusing look at day-to-day life. Soto introduces each selection with a brief reminiscence about its origins, revealing details about growing up in a Mexican family and showing readers that poetry can be inspired by seemingly mundane moments. B

WOLF, Allan. Immersed in Verse: An Informative, Slightly Irreverent & Totally Tremendous Guide to Living the Poet’s Life. illus. by Tuesday Mourning. 112p. appendix. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Sterling/Lark. 2006. PLB $14.95. ISBN 1-57990-628-1. LC 2005024825.

Gr 6 Up –Wolf speaks directly to young poets, managing to be informative, insightful, and hip while offering practical tips and helpful examples for getting started, using poetic devices, presenting finished pieces, and much more. Snappy cartoon illustrations with lots of teen appeal reinforce the lighthearted approach. B

Runny Babbit (unabr.). 1 CD. 22:51 min. HarperCollins. (harpercollins.com). 2005. ISBN 0-06-082396-8. $13.95.

Gr 2-5 –Forty-two of Shel Silverstein’s poems from his posthumous best-selling book (HarperCollins, 2005). The verses are spoonerisms–the initial sounds of two words that are transposed (e.g., “Bunny Rabbit” becomes “Runny Babbit”). The silly poems beg to be read aloud and Dennis Locorriere does the job with panache. A gem. A