Young Adult Poetry: A Survey and Theme Guide

Teachers and librarians will find this one-volume reference guide an indispensable tool for identifying anthologies and poem collections that have particular appeal to young adult readers. Comprised of two main components, this resource features an annotated bibliography of 198 poetry volumes, and a thematic guide to over 6,000 individual poems. The carefully chosen anthologies and collections span reading levels from sixth to twelfth grade, and a tremendous breath of interest areas. Poets whose works are cited range from the classic to the contemporary, cover a broad ethnic and geographic spectrum, and range in style from humorous to tragic, rap to blues, free verse to rhymes, and limericks to haiku.

This survey of young adult poetry represents a careful selection and evaluation process undertaken by the authors in consultation with classroom teachers. The annotations help users identify themes in the works, grade level appropriateness, as well as format and content in the poetry collections and anthologies. The authors offer helpful suggestions for ways that these poetry works may be used in the English classroom and beyond; for igniting creative sparks with young writers, for science and social studies discussion, counseling sessions, and for sheer enjoyment. Librarians will value this well-organized resource as both a collection development tool, and--with its index of writers and titles and extensive theme guide--as a way of connecting young readers to wonderful poetry.

Author: Rachel E. Schwedt, Janice DeLong
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 11/30/2001
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.03lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780313313363

Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 08/01/2002 pg. 227
Booklist 09/01/2002 pg. 173
Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2002 pg. 323
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2002 pg. 219
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2003 pg. 502

About the Author

RACHEL SCHWEDT is Director of the Curriculum Library at Liberty University./e She has previously been an elemenentary and high school librarian. They frequently speak at teachers' conventions regarding the use of literature in the classroom./e

JANICE DELONG currently serves on the faculty of Liberty University where she teaches children's literature./e She supervises student teachers on both public and private school campuses. She has been a classroom teacher in primary, elementary, and middle schools.