Poetry From A to Z : A Guide for Young Writers

by Paul B. Janeczko, Cathy Bobak (Illustrator)

A variety of poems on subjects from autumn to zebras are accompanied by suggestions for writing original poems, in forms from acrostic to parody

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Paul B. Janeczko is a poet and teacher and has edited more than twenty award-winning poetry anthologies for young people, including STONE BENCH IN AN EMPTY PARK, LOOKING FOR YOUR NAME, SEEING THE BLUE BETWEEN, and A POKE IN THE I, which was an American Library Association Notable Book.

Reviews

[Shannon Havlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this little gem enormously more than I imagined. I am even going to use it to help teach my class a bit more about poetry. It will be a great resource!

[Tandava Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The alphabet is a pretty arbitrary structure for this sort of book -- each letter's chapter has poems about subjects starting with that letter, or poetry exercises starting with that letter, etc. But that makes it kind of fun, just a random but structured ramble through the world of poetry. The exercises are more about giving ideas for content than for practicing structure, probably with the idea of just getting kids to write at all, and enjoy it, without bogging down in "rules." It also has quotes and tips from a lot of the poets whose work is included.

I'm not sure what age range is the target audience here, but it definitely does have a "for young writers" feel to it, as the subtitle says (as opposed to some of the truly great children's books, which can have a more universal appeal). So it was pretty much just a quick skim to find a few fun poems for me. I'd enjoy seeing a book like this for adult readers/writers.

[Robyn Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informational book that suggests that it is a guide for young writers. This book nicely gives examples of poems and tips that would beneifit the young asipring poerty writer.

[Maddi Couture · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good. The poems were fun and cool

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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