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"Poetry is the home for all my yearnings
each poem a separate room
where wandering words
find a cool bed, a bowl of soup..."

Using her own adolescent-appealing poems, Kathi Appelt has created a poetry guide that teens can turn to when they are having trouble corralling those "wandering words." In "Part I: Homeroom: The Poems," Appelt showcases her own poetry, mostly ... More

"Poetry is the home for all my yearnings
each poem a separate room
where wandering words
find a cool bed, a bowl of soup..."

Using her own adolescent-appealing poems, Kathi Appelt has created a poetry guide that teens can turn to when they are having trouble corralling those "wandering words." In "Part I: Homeroom: The Poems," Appelt showcases her own poetry, mostly whimsical in tone, about such teen-pleasing topics as tattoos, first crushes, and homecoming dances. In "Part II: Study Hall: Writing What We Long For," Appelt describes the inspiration for each of the previous 26 poems, and provides questions to stir the imaginations and pens of young writers. She identifies the specific motivation behind each of the poems, (some examples include longing for attention, justice, or respect) and then asks readers through a series of open-ended questions to examine that motivation in their own writing. And while most of her poetry is free verse, she also throws in a few forms for young readers to challenge themselves with, such as the sestina, villanelle, and haiku.

Young adult author Kathi Appelt's lighthearted take on crafting poetry will have teens scratching down sonnets in no time. Full of practical advice, poetry-provoking questions, and thin enough to fit in the back pocket of a binder, Poems from Homeroom is sure to be popular with wannabe young Maya Angelous and Walt Whitmans. And for further guidance, aspiring bards may also want to try Seeing the Blue Between: Advice and Inspiration for Young Poets, edited by Paul B. Janeczko. (Ages 13 to 18) --Jennifer Hubert

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