The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman

 

The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman - 29 pages

On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration.

A must read poetry keepsake that celebrates the promise of America.  This is such a moving poem coming from such a young poet.  I think maybe this amazing young lady should read this poem again to the nation. This poem can only move us to do better at focusing on our similarities instead of our differences.

When Green Becomes Tomatoes Poems for All Seasons by Julie Fogliano

 

When Green Becomes Tomatoes- Poems for All Seasons by Julie Fogliano-56 pgs

September 10

a star is someone else's sun                                                                                         more flicker glow than blinding                                                                                a speck of light too far for bright                                                                                and too small to make a morning

This is a simple watercolor illustrated children's book of poems that take you thru all seasons and every month.  I really enjoyed these poems, sweet and all about nature in some form.

Cautionary Tales for Children, Belloc and Gorey

 Cautionary Tales for Children, Belloc and Gorey | 72 pages

Darkly humorous, this collection of poems warns of the twisted ways some children die due to faults of their own. Jim who runs away; Henry King who chews on string; Matilda who tells dreadful lies; etc. Just try to not laugh! Gorey's drawings are perfect. In tone and style, it's very similar to his Gashleycrumb Tinies book.

Beautiful Day! Petite Poems for All Seasons by Rodoula Pappa

 

Beautiful Day!  Petite Poems for All Seasons by Rodoula Pappa - 56 pages

Beautiful children's book of haiku-inspired poems. The beautifully illustrated picture book observes all 4 seasons thru a child's eyes with simple poetry.  What a great book to introduce poetry to children.

The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems by Billy Collins

 

The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems by Billy Collins - 88 pages

What a great collection of thought provoking and funny at times poetry.

this author shows that poetry can be enjoyed by all.  If you are looking to enjoy some poetry, this is a smaller book with easy to read poems and simple language.  Hope you enjoy.

America's Favorite Poems, ed. Robert Pinsky

America's Favorite Poems, ed. Robert Pinsky | 327 pages

This anthology is a written interpretation of the multimedia Favorite Poem Project first launched in 1997. Americans ages 5+ of every description were asked to submit a video of them reading a favorite poem after a brief explanation of what it means to them. These explanations are what makes this more than just a poetry anthology. Many of these statements helped me look closer at a poem I may otherwise overlook - this is the favorite of (for example) Barbara K, 53, technical writer in MA, not just something I "should" read selected by an editor.

The drawback of this anthology is also tied to the scope - over 200 poems and even more explanations (Such as Robert Frost, submitted by many). They are arranged in alphabetical order by the poet which means there isn't a flow between the poems. By the time I got to the end, I was struggling to keep going, which means some very worthy poets didn't get my full attention.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson -- 448 pages

Lights. Camera. Lies. 18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness, but she has no memory of it. Rachel is gone, long presumed dead, and Bel wishes everyone would just move on.

But the case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agree to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. And then the impossible happens. Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again.

Rachel has an unbelievable story about what happened to her. Unbelievable, because Bel isn’t sure it’s real. If Rachel is lying, then where has she been all this time? And – could she be dangerous? With the cameras still rolling, Bel must uncover the truth about her mother, and find out why Rachel Price really came back from the dead . . .