Poetry Pathfinder for Teens

Welcome to the Poetry Pathfinder!

Are you looking for materials to help you understanding poetry?  Do you want to locate poetry to read for fun?  Want to learn how to write poetry on your own?  If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, you're in the right place.  We've helped you by bringing together some of the top resources you could need for reading, understanding, and writing poetry, both in and out of the library.  Whatever questions you have about poetry, we can help you locate just the right materials.  Have a question that isn't answered here?  Just ask, we'll help you find the answer!

Suggested Titles: 

I Am An Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World
Author: Ensler, Eve
2010
Call #: HQ777 .E57 2010















A Maze Me
Author: Nye, Naomi Shihab
Illustrator: Maher, Terre
2005
Call #: PS3564. Y44 A83 2005















Casey At the Bat
Author: Thayer, Ernest L.
Illustrator: Morse, Joe
2006
Call #: Graphic Novels

Nonprint Resources: 

The  Internet Public Library (ipl) is a free web service that provides access to thousands of information science professionals ready to answer any reference questions.  This page in the website is designed specifically for teens interested in poetry.  Free registration gives you your own page to write on, discuss with other teen poets, and talk about your favorite poetry.  (http://www.ipl.org/div/teenpoet/)

Poets.org is the website of the Academy of American Poets and this is their teen poetry page.  Here, you can find answers to poetry questions, read poetry that other teens like, find online poetry resources, and participate in poetry discussions with other teens.  There is also a section of monthly poetry highlights for teens.

Movies: 

Louder Than a Bomb

LOUDER THAN A BOMB chronicles the stereotype-confounding stories of four teams as they prepare for and compete in the 2008 event. By turns hopeful and heartbreaking, the film captures the tempestuous lives of these unforgettable kids, exploring the ways writing shapes their world, and vice versa. This is not "high school poetry" as we often think of it. This is language as a joyful release, irrepressibly talented teenagers obsessed with making words dance. How and why they do it—and the community they create along the way—is the story at the heart of this inspiring film. (From Official Website)

Trailer:

To Be Heard

TO BE HEARD is the story of three teens from the South Bronx whose struggle to change their lives begins when they start to write poetry. As writing and reciting become vehicles for their expressions of love, friendship, frustration, and hope, we watch these three youngsters emerge as accomplished self-aware artists, who use their creativity to alter their circumstances. (From Official Website)





Trailer:

Reference Books: 

How to Write Poetry
Author: Janeczko, Paul B.
1999
Call #: PN1059. A9 J36 1999

How to Interpret Poetry
Author: Rozakis, Laurie
1995
Call #: PN1031. R7 1995
















Suggested Keywords to Search: 
Juvenile Fiction
Teen Poetry
Poetry--Fiction
(subject)--Poetry



Library of Congress Areas to Search: 
PZ--Juvenile Fiction
PZ7.5--Novels in Verse
PZ8.3--Nursery Rhymes and Stories in Rhyme

Other call numbers for poetry by subject in Library of Congress are listed by subject under Juvenile Fiction.
Some examples:
PS3563--African American Boys--Juvenile Poetry
PS3564--Girls--Juvenile Poetry
PS3560--Emotions--Juvenile Poetry
PS1195--Nature--Juvenile Poetry