More than 50 poets representing world literature from the ancient Greek Sappho to the contemporary Latina poet Julia Alvarez speak about two common themes that transcend time and culture. The truth or lies that often define relationships, or are hidden within the self are portrayed in this accessible volume of short poetry. Poems relate to romantic love, friendship, betrayal, family life, and personal introspection. Some of the poems are excerpts from longer works; others say it all in a few words. The wide range of authors and eras in which they wrote lends diversity to styles and language. There is humor, irony, sadness, and anguish included here, which can be dipped into at random or read consecutively. The poems are arranged so that they flow easily from page to page, sometimes connected by a similar theme and sometimes by a subtle link of words or feelings. Vecchione’s (Storming Heaven’s Gate: An Anthology of Spiritual Writings by Women) stated intent is to intertwine truth and lies in the arrangement of the poems to mirror how they are experienced in real life. She challenges readers to question what they know is true, find the poems that speak to them, and finally to write their own. Her introduction is valuable to the reader as a way to understand her rationale for selection and for insight into how to read poetry. Students and teachers will also appreciate the biographical notes and short bibliography on each of the poets. An excellent anthology that should resonate with the teenaged reader. (Poetry. 12+)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8050-6479-6
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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