Do You Love Poetry? Check These Books Out From HarperCollins Children's Books

HarperCollins Children's Book has three upcoming Young Adult books that are perfect for Poetry Month. These collections and novels-in-verse are for the young adult readers out there today. 

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

9780062662804. $17.99. Ages 13 & Up. On Sale March 6, 2018.

Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing #ownvoices novel-in-verse by award-winning slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth. Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

« “In nearly every poem, there is at least one universal truth about adolescence, family, gender, race, religion, or sexuality that will have readers either nodding in grateful acknowledgment or blinking away tears.” — The Horn Book Review STARRED review

Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners by Naomi Shihab Nye

9780062691842. $17.99. Ages 13 & Up. On Sale February 13, 2018.

Acclaimed and award-winning poet, teacher, and National Book Award finalist Naomi Shihab Nye’s uncommon and unforgettable voice offers readers peace, humor, inspiration, and solace. This volume of almost one hundred original poems is a stunning and engaging tribute to the diverse voices past and present that comfort us, compel us, lead us, and give us hope. Written in honor of the artists, writers, poets, historical figures, ordinary people, and diverse luminaries from past and present who have inspired Nye, Voices in the Air celebrates the inspirational people who strengthen and motivate us to create, to open our hearts, and to live rewarding and graceful lives. With short informational bios about the influential figures behind each poem, and a transcendent introduction by the poet, this is a collection to cherish, read again and again, and share with others. 

« “A rich collection of poems celebrating diverse lives. ...Asking tough questions and demonstrating the beauty of the voices on the fringe, Nye once again deftly charts the world through verse: not to be missed.” — Kirkus Reviews STARRED review

Light Filters In: Poems written by Caroline Kaufman & illustrated by Yelena Bryksenkova

9780062844682. $14.99. Ages 13 & Up. On Sale June 5, 2018.

In the vein of poetry collections like Milk and Honey and Adultolescence, this compilation of short, powerful poems from teen Instagram sensation Caroline Kaufman—known as @poeticpoison—perfectly captures the human experience. In Light Filters In, Kaufman does what she does best: reflects our own experiences back at us and makes us feel less alone, one exquisite and insightful piece at a time. She writes about giving up too much of yourself to someone else, not fitting in, endlessly Googling “how to be happy,” and ultimately figuring out who you are. This hardcover collection features completely new material plus some fan favorites from Caroline's account. Filled with haunting, spare pieces of original art, Light Filters In will thrill existing fans and newcomers alike.

Celebrating National Poetry Month with 3 Reviews!

 

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Once Upon a Twilight shared 3 poetry books with my son's 5th grade English Teacher and School Librarian. These books also came at a perfect time, My son had a poetry project to work on and we used these books as references to understand each types of poems he need to create. These books that will be discussed below are a great asset to have in any school library, classroom or at home for personal use.

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Good Sports: Rhymes about Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More by Jack Prelutsky is a humorous and inspiring collection of athletic poetry. The illustrations are simple yet charming and easy to find yourself getting lost in. Kids and adults will find themselves smiling and laughing out loud as they read the poems of success, failure, and learn the lesson of never giving up at something you are passionate about. This is a great book for middle aged children and adults as well.

OUT OF THIS WORLD: POEMS AND FACTS ABOUT SPACE! by Amy Sklansky is an exciting and informative poetry adventure through outer space. As you read the poems you are provided fascinating facts about outer space and astronauts that will keep you on the edge of your seat looking forward to reading the next poem and craving to further your space knowledge. The illustrations are vibrant enough to allow the reader to feel as if they are on an out of this world journey. This is a great book to use in a classroom to introduce science concepts to reluctant readers. 

THE 20th CENTURY CHILDREN’S POETRY TREASURY by Jack Prelutsky is a new classic collection of the greatest poems. The poems are organized with a new topic on each page and are sure to keep you intrigued and reading them again and again. Emotions will range from laughter to inquisitiveness and beyond. The book has old favorites and new as well. The collection will be a classic that should be found in every home.

*The three reviews are courtesy of Mrs. Abby Friedenberg, 5th Grade Teacher in Texas. 

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OUT OF THIS WORLD: POEMS AND FACTS ABOUT SPACE!
by Amy Sklansky; Illustrated by Stacey Schuett
A poetic exploration of space!

The mysteries of the universe and the science of space exploration are perennialy popular subjects, and Out of This World is a wonderful introduction. Amy Sklansky has written evocative poems about planets and stars and rockets and moon landings and satellites. Each poem is supported by additional facts and explanations in the margins. Stacey Schuett brings it all to life with color-soaked skies and beautiful perspectives in her fabulous paintings.

Alfred A. Knopf | 978-0-375-86459-9 | February 14, 2012 | $17.99/$19.99 Can. | Ages 5-9 | 40 pgs

GOOD SPORTS: Rhymes about Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More
by Jack Prelutsky; Illustrated by Chris Raschka

A grand slam collection by America's #1 rhyme master.
Exhilarating, all-new, kid-friendly verses capture the range of emotions from the thrill of winning, to the agony of losing, to the sheer joy of participating. Jack Prelutsky, America's first children's poet laureate and a virtuoso at making poetry fun for the elementary school crowd, includes in this collection poems about the popular sports that kids play—team sports, individual sports, and even backyard frisbee tossing. The bouncy rhymes beg to be read aloud and lend themselves to easy recitation. Caldecott Medal Winner Chris Raschka's stylized watercolors are a blaze of color and motion. An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book of 2007, this exuberant picture book proves that poetry can be as much fun as playing games!

Dragonfly Trade Paperback | 978-0-375-86558-9 | February 8, 2011 | $7.99/$8.99 Can. | Ages 6-9 | 40 pgs

THE 20th CENTURY CHILDREN’S POETRY TREASURY
by Jack Prelutsky; Illustrated by Meilo So

The quintessential beginners’ guide to poetry for children.
Here in one gloriously illustrated volume are 211 wonderful poems that represent the best this century has to offer. From sibling rivalry, school, monsters, food, and just plain silliness, to such ageless themes as the seasons, Who am I?, and the many moods of childhood, this is a collection that begs to be read aloud and shared with the whole family. The poems, from every decade of this century, showcase 137 famous poets.

Alfred A. Knopf | 978-0-679-89314-1 |September 28, 1999 | $19.95 $26.00 | Ages All | 96 pgs