There are some pleasing poems among the 17 offered here on the flora and fauna of the Florida Everglades, their habitat and their habits, and the author’s affection is evident in every one. Unfortunately, at least as many suffer from forced whimsy, inconsistent meter or muddled information. Focus instead on the quilt-art images with which the poems are paired. Although there seems to be no particular connection between the subjects of the poems and the medium chosen to portray them, some of the textile art is striking—sculptural, full of detail, lovely embroidery and clever use of fabric, pattern and color. An acknowledgement lets readers know that a Smithsonian Zoological Society ornithologist has vetted the poems. There is no note about the art or its creation. Occasional factual asides on the pictured wildlife are tucked here and there, but the creatures are not labeled. Older readers will be most able to appreciate the art. Birders and South Floridians might be the best audience. (Poetry. 9+)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59078-352-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Wordsong/Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2008
Thirteen-year-old love at its finest.
Two seventh grade Boston girls meet in poetry club, fall in love, fight, and find their way back to each other in this verse novel.
Even though “Love at First Sight is not a thing,” Olivia and new girl Eden quickly become friends and then more. But Eden, whose mom has left and whose dad is homophobic, wants to keep their relationship secret. Eden also becomes part of a tightknit group of girls she names the Crash. After one of their parties, Olivia hurls a misogynistic slur at Eden and breaks up with her. Regretful, Olivia later comes up with a scheme to win Eden back: a poetry night where she will perform a poem of apology. Both girls are largely without supportive adult guidance—Olivia’s mother has depression, and her avoidant dad works long hours—so they make mistakes and correct them as best they can, relying on poetry, music, and friends to fill in the gaps. Their personalities shine through their beautifully crafted poems, full of aches, worries, and joys. Three final poems, set a few months later, provide a coda and some closure. Olivia’s poems are aligned left, Eden’s are aligned right; drafts of Olivia’s apology poems appear on lined paper in a spiral-bound notebook. Both girls are coded White; Olivia’s best friend is trans.
Thirteen-year-old love at its finest. (Verse fiction. 11-14)Pub Date: May 30, 2023
ISBN: 9780063256941
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
A powerful and thoroughly satisfying blend of sports, history, family saga, and self-discovery.
A Black tween’s world revolves around her love of baseball and her grandfather’s stories of his African homeland.
Charlene Cuffey loves baseball; she was captivated after seeing a Negro Leagues game. Despite her mother’s disapproval, Charley dreams of becoming the first girl to be a professional pitcher. She also loves her grandfather Nana Kofi’s stories and his attempts to teach her his mother tongue of Twi. Nana Kofi was captured from his community and brought to America as a boy; later he fought in the war to end slavery. When Charley responds to a bully’s taunts by challenging him to a game, she’s determined to win. Unfortunately, she makes decisions that place her and her community in danger. This highly anticipated second volume in The Door of No Return trilogy reintroduces Kofi to readers as an elder, revealing how he survived, gained his freedom, established a family, and passed on his legacy of resilience to Charley. Alexander skillfully builds on the strengths of the first installment in portraying a strong sense of community and family, often in the face of capricious violence. Charley is a well-crafted character who embodies her tightknit family, her heritage, and her keen mind. The presence of real-life historical figures and events helps capture the tenor of life in segregated Virginia, while the beautifully flowing poetry contributes to the book’s engaging qualities.
A powerful and thoroughly satisfying blend of sports, history, family saga, and self-discovery. (author’s note) (Verse historical fiction. 10-18)Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2024
ISBN: 9780316442596
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
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