Smart Like Me: High School Age Writing Form the Sixties To Now

Gathers poems on a variety of subjects written by high school students

Gr 8 Up These are not poems by adults written from a teen perspective as in Mel Glenn's Class Dismissed! (Clarion, 1982). These poems are by teenagers themselves, expressing an incredible range of thought and feeling on a wide variety of topics. The 148 poems are taken from the first 50 issues of Hanging Loose magazine. Most are written in free verse, and readers need a basic understanding of this style to appreciate the book. The writing spans 20 years, but surprisingly few references date them. The levels of insight and maturity are often astounding. Stark images abound: Joanne Avallon's ``Daughter'' begins, ``There is nothing to be said/ for a daughter who comes/ home at night with poems/ on her breath.'' Penelope Jane Reid's ``Smart Like Me'' is a brief yet potent vision of a 16 year old who has just had an abortion. ``Spring Cleaning'' is Tammy Boyer's lament for her finished childhood as she accepts adolescence. The language is open, honest, frank, and sometimes pleasantly bewildering, fitting each poem's particular depth and impact. Many are about parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, romantic relationships, and other subjects of concern to teens. Some are quite philosophical. A biographical section on the poets is included at the end. A fine choice for readers who enjoy complex, interesting poetry that makes them think. Diane P. Tuccillo, Mesa Public Library, Ariz.

Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information, Inc.