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100 Great Poems for Boys
A handy collection of the most popular and fondly remembered poems of all time, geared to boys of all ages.
Reading any great poem for the first time is always a thrilling discovery, even if it's only four lines long, and this collection brings together some of the best ever to read, memorize, or recite. Boys of all ages will enjoy reading poems catered specifically to them, whether it means discovering great heroes and dangerous animals, or simply laughing at pure nonsense and hilarious rhymes. The book is divided into seven Animals, Fun to Read Aloud, Battlefields and Heroes, Things to Think About, Limericks, Tongue Twisters, Just for Laughs.
100 Best Poems for Boys is a perfect introduction for those encountering poetry for the first time, but readers who grew up with poems will also cherish this treasury of classics.
Reading any great poem for the first time is always a thrilling discovery, even if it's only four lines long, and this collection brings together some of the best ever to read, memorize, or recite. Boys of all ages will enjoy reading poems catered specifically to them, whether it means discovering great heroes and dangerous animals, or simply laughing at pure nonsense and hilarious rhymes. The book is divided into seven Animals, Fun to Read Aloud, Battlefields and Heroes, Things to Think About, Limericks, Tongue Twisters, Just for Laughs.
100 Best Poems for Boys is a perfect introduction for those encountering poetry for the first time, but readers who grew up with poems will also cherish this treasury of classics.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2011
35 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Pockell
17 books7 followers"Some may ask where I get the authority to compile such a work, and attach such lofty claims to it. I have no advanced business degrees myself, but I have labored in an assortment of metaphorical vineyards over the course of the past four decades, from entry level to senior management positions, in government and in the private sector, and I have paid attention to the commonalities and repetitive patterns around me.
In an era when hit television programs like The Office and award-winning novels like And Then We Came To The End are documenting the futility and anomie that is so often a part of our shared work experience, and the economic chaos all around us demonstrates the inadequacy of so-called professional expertise, the universal verities of business presented in MBA IN A BOOK are more relevant than ever."
“I’ve been in publishing for more than three decades, but I try to keep current.”
So wrote Les Pockell about himself for an in-house publication. Les didn’t just “keep current” – he had an encyclopedic knowledge of everything past, present and future in every field imaginable. He had an insatiable appetite for learning, and for passing along all the wisdom he’d accumulated to the editors he worked with and mentored over his many years in publishing.
His vitality was contagious; his opinions were strong; his brilliance was dazzling. He was well-loved by so many, and will be deeply missed.
In an era when hit television programs like The Office and award-winning novels like And Then We Came To The End are documenting the futility and anomie that is so often a part of our shared work experience, and the economic chaos all around us demonstrates the inadequacy of so-called professional expertise, the universal verities of business presented in MBA IN A BOOK are more relevant than ever."
“I’ve been in publishing for more than three decades, but I try to keep current.”
So wrote Les Pockell about himself for an in-house publication. Les didn’t just “keep current” – he had an encyclopedic knowledge of everything past, present and future in every field imaginable. He had an insatiable appetite for learning, and for passing along all the wisdom he’d accumulated to the editors he worked with and mentored over his many years in publishing.
His vitality was contagious; his opinions were strong; his brilliance was dazzling. He was well-loved by so many, and will be deeply missed.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 1, 2018
Great collection of poems for boys of all ages. This is a really well-thought-out collection. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2020
I'm really not sure why this book must be for boys beyond an attempt to market it to those few parents who still embrace 19th century views about gender roles. As I am not one of those parents, I find the title rather silly. Pockell does make a gesture towards more modern thinking in his introduction, in which he states that being a boy is a frame of mind to which even "certain girls" may aspire if only they "have the right attitude." Yes I'm a bit salty about this condescension.
On to the poems, though! The vast majority of works in this collection are appropriate for children of any or no gender, even if you want to adhere to the Horatio Alger school of boyhood. What makes the book masculine in Pockell's eyes is, I suspect, his inclusion of a section of war poems and perhaps some of those in the "Things to Think About" section, such as Kipling's "If." There is a nice balance between long and short poems and between literary classics and vernacular hits. I personally have no problem seeing "A Boy Named Sue" in the same volume as "Ozymandius" or a tongue twister only a few pages from Shakespeare's Sonnet 29. If the point is to get children to read poetry, it's vital that there be easily accessible options as well as challenging ones and the whole idea of poetry can do with a bit of demystification.
What I do find troubling is Pockell's lack of a clear vision about what he wants his volume to teach. Granted, it is not his job to tell children what their values ought to be. But he clearly favors a vision of manhood that requires bravery and sacrifice, stoic acceptance of fate, etc. In the "Battlefields and Heroes" section, this is the primary theme, yet he includes Southey's "The Battle of Blenheim" which undermines the glory so many of his other choices promote. Is this just a sop to the anti-war crowd? Or is he expecting children to consider the moral ambiguities of war?
There are poems included, as well, that raise questions of race, colonialism, and nationalism that children will not pick up on, but what we read in childhood colors our views as adults.
I would be okay giving this book to my child because we talk about what we read. But not every child has an adult to help them hash out conflicting messages and far too many children are still raised to believe that books represent a sort of authority, that they can't argue with the author or say, "Hey, this grown-up is wrong."
If you're considering this book for your child, just make sure you're comfortable with a traditional Western view of masculinity that relies heavily on physical bravery and battlefield exploits. 60% of this book is just fun, but the 40% is problematic for those who think about gender, race, and nationalism from a 21st century point of view.
On to the poems, though! The vast majority of works in this collection are appropriate for children of any or no gender, even if you want to adhere to the Horatio Alger school of boyhood. What makes the book masculine in Pockell's eyes is, I suspect, his inclusion of a section of war poems and perhaps some of those in the "Things to Think About" section, such as Kipling's "If." There is a nice balance between long and short poems and between literary classics and vernacular hits. I personally have no problem seeing "A Boy Named Sue" in the same volume as "Ozymandius" or a tongue twister only a few pages from Shakespeare's Sonnet 29. If the point is to get children to read poetry, it's vital that there be easily accessible options as well as challenging ones and the whole idea of poetry can do with a bit of demystification.
What I do find troubling is Pockell's lack of a clear vision about what he wants his volume to teach. Granted, it is not his job to tell children what their values ought to be. But he clearly favors a vision of manhood that requires bravery and sacrifice, stoic acceptance of fate, etc. In the "Battlefields and Heroes" section, this is the primary theme, yet he includes Southey's "The Battle of Blenheim" which undermines the glory so many of his other choices promote. Is this just a sop to the anti-war crowd? Or is he expecting children to consider the moral ambiguities of war?
There are poems included, as well, that raise questions of race, colonialism, and nationalism that children will not pick up on, but what we read in childhood colors our views as adults.
I would be okay giving this book to my child because we talk about what we read. But not every child has an adult to help them hash out conflicting messages and far too many children are still raised to believe that books represent a sort of authority, that they can't argue with the author or say, "Hey, this grown-up is wrong."
If you're considering this book for your child, just make sure you're comfortable with a traditional Western view of masculinity that relies heavily on physical bravery and battlefield exploits. 60% of this book is just fun, but the 40% is problematic for those who think about gender, race, and nationalism from a 21st century point of view.
November 9, 2017
I like this book because it has a lot of poems. This book would be perfect any grade because it has some awesome poems. If you like poem book you'll like this book because it has some amazing poems. A teaser for this book is that their are a lot of book.
October 12, 2017
This book was not that interesting to me because these poems were a little to long and when there long it gets a little boring to me. This book would be perfect for people who likes long poems and a lot of different kinds of poems. If you like 100 great poems for girls and you liked it Mandy you could read this one too. Also it has tongue twisters and funny poems and other kinds so you get to read a lot of verities. There is a poem called what are little boys made of? It about how boy are rotten and girls are irreplaceable but I don't agree with that but it is a funny poem.
October 30, 2024
I bought this book before my oldest was born, in anticipation of future children. Then I had four girls.
But since we do what we want, we pulled it out for Morning Time this month. And we thoroughly enjoyed it. There are poems about animals and about battles, classics that everyone should read, nonsense poems, and everything in-between. A great collection for boys who might be reluctant about poetry, but also for any kids who enjoy a good poem.
But since we do what we want, we pulled it out for Morning Time this month. And we thoroughly enjoyed it. There are poems about animals and about battles, classics that everyone should read, nonsense poems, and everything in-between. A great collection for boys who might be reluctant about poetry, but also for any kids who enjoy a good poem.
March 8, 2022
This is an odd selection of poems, some of which are very fun and childish (fuzzy wuzzy was a bear) and others would be difficult even for adults (Horatius). I’m glad “Casey at the bat” and “The cremation of Sam McGee “ were both included, as well as a silly one called “I wandered lonely as a clodd.” If I were truly looking for a book of poetry for a boy, I’d grab one by Shel Silverstein
September 26, 2017
This book is very good because there is one poem that is really good called woodchuck that is really hard to say. I recommend this book to 3rd to 6th because it has funny poems like the one I said. You will like this book if you like funny poems because there are many funny poems.
December 4, 2018
A great book with many valuable poems that will make you connect to your life. The book is divided into 7 sections, and my favorite poem was in the "Battlefields and Heroes" section, called "For Want of a Nail" by an anonymous poet. This poem talks about how the shortage of nails eventually leads to a kingdom losing a battle. I love these poems that have a deeper meaning behind the words.
"Tongue Twisters" and "Just for Laughs" section was filled with nostalgic poems that I learned in Elementary, and I personally think it was important to remember these classic poems.
Overall, this book really contained 100 beautiful poems not only for boys but for everyone including girls and adults. It was a valuable experience to remember and rethink these great poems.
"Tongue Twisters" and "Just for Laughs" section was filled with nostalgic poems that I learned in Elementary, and I personally think it was important to remember these classic poems.
Overall, this book really contained 100 beautiful poems not only for boys but for everyone including girls and adults. It was a valuable experience to remember and rethink these great poems.
January 19, 2021
7 Great Poems for Boys...
93 poems that’ll help turn boys (hell, anyone!) off poetry.
93 poems that’ll help turn boys (hell, anyone!) off poetry.
May 18, 2024
Needs more female poets & contemporary poems !!
June 8, 2017
This was a good collection of well known poems. The 3 star rating is only because this book kept putting me to sleep! Guess it's just me.
December 29, 2011
April is National Poetry Month and a fitting time to instill in our children the appreciation for poems which we have enjoyed through the years. Two editors (Leslie M. Pockell – Boys) (Celia Johnson – Girls) were selected by Grand Central Publishing to collect 100 Great Poems for both Boys and Girls in separate volumes.
Can you name the National Poet Laureate for the United States for 2010- 2011? W.S. Merwin was appointed by the Library of Congress to serve until May 2011 when a new personage will be selected to this prestigious post. Merwin has received two Nobel Prizes, numerous awards, and consults with the Library of Congress during his term on poetry matters. No, he did not contribute to any of the poems which were selected in these two books, but after all, it is National Poetry Month and he deserves recognition!
A few of the poems overlap in each book, but they can be read by either sex without discomfort. They are classics for children!
What Are Little Boys Made of?
Anonymous
What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails
And puppy-dogs’ tails,
That’s what little boys are made of.
What are little-girls made of?
What are little-girls made of?
Sugar and spice
And all that’s nice,
That’s what little girls are made of.
What is interesting is that the verses for boys and girls are reversed in each book! Also, the title is changed to “What Are Little Girls Made of?”
Can you name the National Poet Laureate for the United States for 2010- 2011? W.S. Merwin was appointed by the Library of Congress to serve until May 2011 when a new personage will be selected to this prestigious post. Merwin has received two Nobel Prizes, numerous awards, and consults with the Library of Congress during his term on poetry matters. No, he did not contribute to any of the poems which were selected in these two books, but after all, it is National Poetry Month and he deserves recognition!
A few of the poems overlap in each book, but they can be read by either sex without discomfort. They are classics for children!
What Are Little Boys Made of?
Anonymous
What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails
And puppy-dogs’ tails,
That’s what little boys are made of.
What are little-girls made of?
What are little-girls made of?
Sugar and spice
And all that’s nice,
That’s what little girls are made of.
What is interesting is that the verses for boys and girls are reversed in each book! Also, the title is changed to “What Are Little Girls Made of?”
July 27, 2014
I liked the mixture of poems this book has. It has a good variety of poems from Shel Silverstein, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman and Shakespeare. There is also Itsy Bitsy Spider, Fuzzy Wuzzy, and How much Would Could a Wood Chuck Chuck. I think it is a fantastic mix of poems that could be introduced, in 5th or 6th grade. What ruins it for me is the title. I can't figure out why its 100 great poems for boys. It said in the introduction "You don't have to be a special age to be a boy. It's more a state of mind than anything else (even certain girls can qualify, if they have the right attitude!). I can't figure out what makes these poems for a boy. Its really kind of a bummer because there is so much good literature but it starts with a title that takes away from the literature I think.
September 8, 2020
100 Great Poems for Boys, by Leslie Pockell is a collection of poems that or very masculine and courageous. I felt this book was very interesting because it included a wide variety of stories that presented different story types and many different types of mood. I felt this book was a very fine book and I rate it a good 9 out of 10.
This book is about a collection of short stories, and a bunch of poems. I will go on examining the poem The Raven in this book and it was a very interesting, spooky, and also depicted courageous events. From the book I thought of it as a very interesting story about a man who was spooked by a raven and turned out to be very bad in the end.
This book is about a collection of short stories, and a bunch of poems. I will go on examining the poem The Raven in this book and it was a very interesting, spooky, and also depicted courageous events. From the book I thought of it as a very interesting story about a man who was spooked by a raven and turned out to be very bad in the end.
February 10, 2012
I just finished reading these poems aloud to my two daughters ;-). It was a wonderful introduction to different poetic forms (limerick, haiku, narrative poem) and includes many classics.
We're planning to read 100 Great Poems for Girls next. It looks as if about a third of the poems are in both books, so I expect that one will be a quicker read.
We're planning to read 100 Great Poems for Girls next. It looks as if about a third of the poems are in both books, so I expect that one will be a quicker read.
December 15, 2012
100 Great Poems for Boys by Leslie Pockell is a collection of poems that covers a wide range of topics, including animals, war, and philosophy. They range in tone from humorous to serious and span a wide range of time periods, from the Roman Republic to the modern day.
The book is part of a collection that includes 100 Great Poems for Girls. I would recommend this book to young people who enjoy poems.
The book is part of a collection that includes 100 Great Poems for Girls. I would recommend this book to young people who enjoy poems.
May 10, 2011
ARC from TLA. Some really wonderful classic poems in this book. Also some not so interesting ones. I have a hard time seeing kids pick this up and go all the way through. I do however see them flipping through and enjoying some of the poems.
December 30, 2013
Nothing new or exciting here. Lots of old rhymes by anonymous poets. "If" by Rudyard Kipling. A predictable collection. Maybe good of you have no background w poetry. I just think there is so much recent poetry boys would love that can't be found here. Try Poetry 180 or Writers Almanac instead.
October 10, 2012
Handy little book. We had checked it out from the library but I'm thinking it's one we need permanently on our shelf.
March 30, 2013
This book provided good stories however at some points in the book the stories are short and just a bit weird. Overall I would recommend the book because most of the poems are good.
Read
February 5, 2013There was a catch at the end of the poem fuzzy wuzzy was a bear
Want to read
July 10, 2014Gift for Madeline from Mommy/Daddy
Read
April 5, 2019100 Great Poems for Boys was an interesting book to read, as it had so many unique poems. In the book, there are a wide variety of poems such as poems about animals, poems that are fun to read aloud, poems about heroes or war, funny poems, and even tongue twisters. It was interesting to read such different ways of writing the poems, from a very short and simple poem to complex poems like Haikus and tongue twisters. One of the poems that I really enjoyed was "Epigram Engraved on the Collar of a Dog which I Gave to Royal Highness". What made this poem very enjoyable was the fact that the title was actually longer than the poem itself.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews