What Learning Leaves: New Edition

by Taylor Mali

Called "a ranting comic showman and a literary provocateur" by The New York Times, Taylor Mali writes eloquently and entertainingly about his experiences in and out of the middle school classroom. Bob Holman, the man who brought the poetry slam to New York City, calls Mali's poems "clear, funny, appealing, accessible. And smart." "What Learning Leaves" includes many of Mali's greatest hits, including "Like Lilly Like Wilson," "Totally L Whatever," and "What Teachers Make," which has been viewed on YouTube over five million times and is called "the most forwarded poem in the world."

Genres: Poetry

100 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2021

About the author

Taylor Mali is a former teacher and classically trained actor who now makes his living as a professional poet. One of the original poets to appear on the HBO series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, he is a veteran of the poetry slam and the author of What Learning Leaves and several spoken word CDs and DVDs. He lives and writes in New York City. For more information, visit www.taylormali.com"

Reviews

[Kelsie Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate that the poet has been in a middle school classroom, and it is very obvious through his writing. He captures the absurdity that is being an adult surrounded by middle schoolers constantly. I can't recommend this enough to anyone considering teaching.

[Ella Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first work of Mali's that I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the separation of the parts by theme. His wordplay is fantastic and each poem impacted me deeply. What a great read.

[Briar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the speech tournament memories. Some poems I knew, others new. A good little book.