The POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE series is wonderful. Each book features accessible and appropriate
poems and the books are beautifully illustrated. Each volume features a
short biography, and a brief explanation of each poem --which serves to
help readers to get a broader understand of the poem.
The only downside to this series is that only 5 of these wonderful volumes have ever been reading leveled. I've put those books first, and then for your convenience I have listed the other books.
Notes on Buying:::
Be sure to check the 3rd Party options and the hardback prices as well
as the paperback prices. Sometimes the hardbacks are actually cheaper.
And sometimes these books can be had for a couple of dollars in 'new'
or nearly new condition. And right now this series is eligible for
Amazon's buy-3, get-1 free program.
HOW PLEASANT TO KNOW MR. LEAR
Features a selection of Lear's nonsense verse, along with the author's illustrations. Biographical introduction and notes.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 2,268
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 30520
MAYA ANGELOUIllustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue
Twenty-five of her finest poems capture a range of emotions and
experiences, from the playful “Harlem Hopscotch” to the prideful “Me and
My Work” to the soul-stirring “Still I Rise.” Award-winning artist
Jerome Lagarrigue masterfully illustrates each verse, and renowned
academic Dr. Edwin Graves Wilson, a longtime colleague of Dr. Angelou,
has written the book's introduction, introductions to the poems, and
annotations.
Word Count: 6,334
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 6.3 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 119701
Lexile: NP
LANGSTON HUGHES Illustrated by Benny Andrews
One
of the central figures in the Harlem Renaissance—the flowering of black
culture that took place in the 1920s and 30s—Langston Hughes captured
the soul of his people, and gave voice to their concerns about race and
social justice. Introduction, biography, and annotations by Arnold
Rampersad, Professor and Dean at Stanford University.
Word Count: 5,319
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 6.5 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 104894
Lexile: NP
see also the review of THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS with audio/visual resources.
Illustrated by Alessandra Cimatoribus
18th century artist and poet William Blake wrote mystical,
spirit-filled verses for children and adults. His
masterpieces “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience” are both
excerpted here.
Word Count: 7,560
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 6.5 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 113729
Lexile: NP
WALT WHITMAN Illustrated by Jim Burke
An outstanding introduction to Whitman's life and work. ~ School Library Journal
Word Count: 8,122
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 7.4 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 88025
Lexile: NP
Sadly, no reading information on the following.
AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY (January 1, 2013)
The newest addition to the series shines a light on the power and beauty of African-American verse.
ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON
The selections are taken from longer works but stand on their own.
AMERICAN POETRY
26 classic American poems.
ANIMAL POEMS
The writers include Blake, Dickinson, Tennyson, Yeats, Wordsworth, and Keats.
CARL SANDBURG
More than 30 of Carl's poems.
EDGAR ALLAN POE
**The
SchoolLibraryJournal does not care for the editing of this book. They
comment that 'commentaries dampen rather than spark the imagination, and
the doctored prose creates confusion between Poe's poems and tales.'
EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY
Professional reviewers like this one. They comment on how well the illustrations match Millay's poetry.
EDWARD LEAR
Lear's
poems are whimsical and fun. Many times his theme seems to be that
people will be happy doing what they like rather than doing what other's
think they should do.
EMILY DICKINSON
**Another book that wasn't a favorite with professional critics. They especially did not like the artwork and thought the introduction was condescending.
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
A nice volume.
LEWIS CARROLL
Period-style watercolors highlight this volume.
ROBERT BROWNING
The Pied Piper of Hamelin and Pippa Passes are featured in this one.
ROBERT FROST
25 poems introduce Robert Frost.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
One of the best volumes for younger children.
RUDYARD KIPLING
28 poems of varying difficulty.
THE SEASONS
A collection by various artists.
WALLACE STEVENS
27 of his finest verses.
WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS
32 poems evoking nature and everyday life.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
The Bard is introduced with fully annotated sonnets and soliloquies, and vivid realistic color paintings.
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
19 popular poems by William Wordsworth, England's poet laureate of England in the mid-nineteenth century.
WILLIAM BUTLER YATES
Yeats' writing captures all the magic and mystery of his native Ireland.
