FAMOUS AMERICAN NEGRO POETS

In 1964, it is still important for Negro children to know more about the historical contributions that have been made by Negroes and it is equally imperative that non-Negro youth know about these contributions that have been made by Negroes,"" says the editor in her Introduction. To this end, she has put together an anthology of selections from the work of 12 poets, starting with Jupiter Hammon in the 18th century and ending with Gwendolyn Brooks in the here and now. The poems have been chosen with the interests of young people in mind and with the hope that they will be lead to further reading in poetry. Like Mrs. Rollins' other recent collections (They Showed the Way, Christmas Gif') this book is handily arranged for reference as well as reading value. The poets are discussed in chronological order with facts about their lives and work described (influences, style, intent and reception) followed by the poems themselves. Once again, Mrs. Rollins has pulled together information that is widely scattered in adult sources.