Poems from Homeroom: A Writer's Place to Start - Hardcover

Appelt, Kathi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 080506978X ISBN 13: 9780805069785

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2002

Synopsis

A collection of original poems and creative writing exercises that will inspire teens to write about their own lives.

"Since the very beginnings of the human race, we've been gathering in circles and telling stories because beyond the physical needs for food, water, clean air, and security, one of our most basic yearnings is to express ourselves, to share what we know, what we dream, what we imagine, and what we feel."

Experienced poet and teacher Kathi Appelt has written a wonderful collection of poems for young adult readers, accompanied by fascinating accounts of how and why the poems came to be, along with writing exercises to inspire readers to create their own poetry.

A perfect gift and an excellent classroom resource, this book opens up the world of poetry in a way that is accessible and appealing to teens.

About this title

Review

"Poetry is the home for all my yearnings
each poem a separate room
where wandering words
find a cool bed, a bowl of soup..."

Using her own adolescent-appealing poems, Kathi Appelt has created a poetry guide that teens can turn to when they are having trouble corralling those "wandering words." In "Part I: Homeroom: The Poems," Appelt showcases her own poetry, mostly whimsical in tone, about such teen-pleasing topics as tattoos, first crushes, and homecoming dances. In "Part II: Study Hall: Writing What We Long For," Appelt describes the inspiration for each of the previous 26 poems, and provides questions to stir the imaginations and pens of young writers. She identifies the specific motivation behind each of the poems, (some examples include longing for attention, justice, or respect) and then asks readers through a series of open-ended questions to examine that motivation in their own writing. And while most of her poetry is free verse, she also throws in a few forms for young readers to challenge themselves with, such as the sestina, villanelle, and haiku.

Young adult author Kathi Appelt's lighthearted take on crafting poetry will have teens scratching down sonnets in no time. Full of practical advice, poetry-provoking questions, and thin enough to fit in the back pocket of a binder, Poems from Homeroom is sure to be popular with wannabe young Maya Angelous and Walt Whitmans. And for further guidance, aspiring bards may also want to try Seeing the Blue Between: Advice and Inspiration for Young Poets, edited by Paul B. Janeczko. (Ages 13 to 18) --Jennifer Hubert

About the Author

Kathi Appelt is the author of many books for young readers. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she teaches writing to both children and adults. She lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband and their two sons.

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 080506978X
• ISBN 13: 9780805069785
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 128