Poetry
for Everyone3An annotated list of poetry books for adults, teens and children at the Boxford Town Libraries.
Poetry
for Everyone3
An annotated list of poetry books for adults,
teens and children at the Boxford Town Libraries.
Adult Collections
(Adults may
also enjoy the poetry collections listed in the teen and children’s sections)
American Sublime by Elizabeth Alexander (811.54 Ale)
This collection, by the poet President Obama selected to read at his
inauguration, is divided into 3 sections that explore the black experience and
the meaning of poetry.
Azores by David Yezzi (811.6 Yez)
Not an island paradise, but pointed poems about everyday life in the city.
Broken Hallelujahs by Sean Thomas Dougherty (811.6
Dou)
Experimental poetry in a variety of forms, this collection is energizing to read
aloud.
The Moon Makes Its Own Plea by Wendy Mnookin (811.54
Mno)
Poems that express the joy and sorrow of daily life—surprising and accurate
phrases.
Poems from Guantanamo: The Detainees Speak edited by
Mark Falkoll
Revealing and poignant poems by seventeen detainees who wrote while being held
in the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Unmentionables by Beth Ann Fennelly (811.54 Fen)
Filled with descriptive and playful language, this collection includes a
wonderful series of imaginative poems about Berthe Morisot’s life and art.
Teen Collections
(Teens may also
enjoy selections from the adult collections listed above)
Collected Poems of Robert Service (811.52 Ser)
If you haven’t read Service’s rhythmic poems, you’re in for a treat!
Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey (811.6 Tre)
Trethewey examines her own past and the racial legacy of the Deep South in this
collection—a don’t miss book filled with personal and societal explorations.
19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East by
Naomi Shihab Nye (811 Nye)
A collection of poems that reflect life on both sides of the world—America and
Middle Eastern countries—and dedicated to Ms. Nye’s grandmother.
Seeing the Blue Between: Advice and Inspiration for
Young Poets compiled by Paul. B. Janeczko (YA 811 See)
A collection of letters of advice and support from renowned poets to you!
Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar and Poems by Raychel
Haugrud Reiff (YA811.54 Rei)
Explore the life of writer and poet Sylvia Plath through biography and her
words.
Voices by Lucille Clifton (811.54 Cli)
A beautiful collection of poems from a prolific poet and children’s book author.
Children’s Collections
(Children will
enjoy almost any poem that you love to read—so, go ahead, read your favorite
poem to your child (grandchild, niece, neighborhood friend…)
A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
selected by Caroline Kennedy (J 808.81 Ken)
An eclectic collection of poems for young and old, specifically designed for
sharing with your favorite person.
A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing and Shout
edited by Paul Janeczko (J 811 Jan)
A collection of lively rhymes that illustrate the many sonic qualities of poetry
for kids.
Loose Leashes by Amy Schmidt (J 811.6 Sch)
A hilarious book of poems about dogs, complete with photographs.
Orangutan Tongs: Poems to Tangle Your Tongue by Jon
Agee (J 811.54 Age)
Have you ever gotten tripped up trying to say a silly succession of similar
syllables? Try these tongue twisters, complete with silly illustrations.
The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry edited by
Bill Martin, Jr. (J 811 Mar)
A beautiful anthology of children’s verse, illustrated by a plethora of today’s
finest children’s illustrators.
Don’t Bump the Glump and Other Fantasies by Shel
Silverstein (J 811.54 Sil)
The daffy master has some sage advice to tickle your funny bone with…
Poetry Websites You
May Enjoy
(Not an
exhaustive list…Children, please enjoy these sites with your parents)
American Life in Poetry (http://www.americanlifeinpoetry.org/) A column and poem each week selected and introduced by former poet and U.S. Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser.
Poetry For Children (http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/) A blog with poetry and discussion about poets and great poems for children.
Poetry 180 (http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/) a project of poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins, this site has poems that teens might particularly like.
Poets.org (http://www.poets.org) from the Academy of American Poets—includes poems, biographic and thematic information as well as news and events. You can also hear some poets read their work on this site.
Boxford Town Library, 10 Elm
Street, Boxford MA, 987-887-READ
www.boxfordtownlib.org
April 2009