Slam

by Cecily von Ziegesar (Editor)

Gathers poems by unknown young artists and experienced slam poets, as well as writings by Shakespeare, Beat poets, hip-hop artists, and others, and explains what slam poetry is and how to perform it.

Genres: Poetry, Young Adult, Anthologies

157 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2000

About the author

Cecily von Ziegesar is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gossip Girl novels, upon which the hit television show is based.

Cecily von Ziegesar was born in New York City. Her childhood dream was to grow up to be a ballerina; she began lessons at age 3 and auditioned for the School of American Ballet at age 8, but was rejected.

As a teenager, von Ziegesar commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating from Nightingale, von Ziegesar attended Colby College before spending a year in Budapest working for a local radio station.

Von Ziegesar returned to the United States to study creative writing at the University of Arizona, but dropped out shortly thereafter.

Back in New York, while working at book-packaging firm Alloy Entertainment, von Ziegesar became inspired to create the Gossip Girl series, which follows the lives of privileged teenagers in New York. The series climbed to the top of The New York Times best-sellers list in 2002. A spin-off series, The It Girl, made the list in 2005.

The Constance Billard School for Girls in Gossip Girl is based upon an exaggerated version of von Ziegesar's alma mater, Nightingale. She also culled events from the book from the lives of her extremely wealthy friends, as well as her own life as a perpetual gossip.

She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run, don't walk, to grab this amazing book of poetry edited by Cecily von Ziegesar (of Gossip Girl fame). It is based on the classic Poetry Slam that became hot in the last decade, but also had heydays throughout history. There is a great forward by Tori Amos about poetry and songwriting and inspiration. It details how a poetry slam should be conducted and writing and inspiration tips throughout the book. It has a very modern layout with the page colors and fonts changing with each poem. It is peppered with interested photographic art. And then it has poems from all the great slam artists (with a bibliography in the back), teenagers and famous authors and songwriters. The topics are universal and geared towards teenagers. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait until I can create my own Poetry Slam in my library. I think it would be so amazing. Kids who are interested in music, especially creating their own, would enjoy this book. Reluctant readers and kids with reading disabilities would really enjoy the ease of reading in this book. There is a lot of poems about love and first dates, and girls would really enjoy that aspect of the poems.

[Talissia Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book went to school with me while I was in high school many days and as an adult it is my source of inspiration to write. However, I am almost positive that it were this book that started me on my first seat of writers block. You know how in school were talk to rhyme and this book is totally different? Yeah. Be careful teens!

[Janelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked 8% of the poems.
Appropriate for college age and above.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this (or portions of) so many times in middle school I may have memorized some favorites.

[Skyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit... at my school library I had to chose a non-fiction book to read, so I picked up a random book and I thought "this doesn't look to bad." So as I started reading this book, it got me so attached because I could relate to so many poems. The poems in this book will have you at the title, from love poems to poems about oranges and ice... these poems are made for mainly young/adult people who have had a couple conflicts in their life span and know what it means to feel a bunch of different emotions at the same time. Although some poems in this book are long and short, they both tell a story through unique syntax! I can relate to most of the poems in this book but one certain poem that I like from Slam is called "For the Mad", you will be alone at last, in the sanity of your friends. Brilliance will fade away from you, and you will settle in dimmed light. You will not remember how to mourn, your dying difference. You will not be better but, they will say you are well." I can relate to this poem because I do feel alone... even with my friends but although everybody is different, it is our witty sense of humors that make our differences mad! Once again I recommend this book to young adults who have had problems in their life. The poems in this book can relate to many people who are going through difficult times. This book is truly remarkable and I suggest before reading any other poetry book... read this book first!

[Merary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book edited by Cecily Von Ziegesar(author of the Gossip Girl series), is a collection of slam poetry made by teenagers and professional slam poets. It also contains some verses by Emily Dickinson, rappers, musicians, even Shakespeare. From love to lust, to heartache to self-esteem, this book is like an journal wanting to be opened so you can read and get to feel what is written there.
It also contains some history of slam poetry and tips on how to express yourself in Slam poetry.
The cover is horrible, though. Almost creepy.

[Riah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a joy to read. It is a collection of poems from both known and not-yet-known poets. Interspersed among the pages are small tokens of bread crumbs leading readers to also become writers, and encouraging quotations to pursure your own voice wherever it may lead you. Great collection with lovely layout and artistic pages.

[Lisa A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's safe to say this book found me, and it found me at the perfect time. I was a teenager with all the angst, the insecurity, the infatuation, the excitement - and the words from almost every single poem in this book spoke to me like a best friend who was 10 years older & wiser.

Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in slam poetry and poetry in general.

[chunk · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's decent. A little cluttered with all the quotes in margins and background imagery. It's unique for it's interviews, history lessons, and photos- a book of poetry and more. It would be good for a high school English class; much of the poetry is written by teenagers.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology has poetry more accessible to a younger audience. Also, many of the poets are contemporary, but not particularly well known.

[Devin A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really like how the poems are made by real people and famous singers such as mary j blage and missy elliot

[Oriana]

Slam (Alloy Books) by Various (2000)

[Ceci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!! Aside from the scary cover, it is really, really cool!

[Karousel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my introduction to poetry.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a refreshing mix of classic and modern poetry written by published authors in the public eye and unknowns.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars

[Christina Ruvoldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book on my shelf since I was a teenager. Decided to re-read it for some inspiration. Still a great book after all of these years!