The 2019-2020 Young People’s Poet Laureate shares insightful and provocative poems that explore the things that are treated disposably in today’s world, from water bottles and plastic straws to hurtful words and refugees. 35,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)
"Poet Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to refugees"-- - (Baker & Taylor)
“Nye at her engaging, insightful best.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Acclaimed poet and Young People’s Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to those less fortunate, in this collection of more than eighty original and never-before-published poems. A deeply moving, sometimes funny, and always provocative poetry collection for all ages.
“How much have you thrown away in your lifetime already? Do you ever think about it? Where does this plethora of leavings come from? How long does it take you, even one little you, to fill the can by your desk?” ?Naomi Shihab Nye
National Book Award Finalist, Young People’s Poet Laureate, and devoted trash-picker-upper Naomi Shihab Nye explores these questions and more in this original collection of poetry that features more than eighty new poems. “I couldn’t save the world, but I could pick up trash,” she says in her introduction to this stunning volume.
With poems about food wrappers, lost mittens, plastic straws, refugee children, trashy talk, the environment, connection, community, responsibility to the planet, politics, immigration, time, junk mail, trash collectors, garbage trucks, all that we carry and all that we discard, this is a rich, engaging, moving, and sometimes humorous collection for readers ages twelve to adult.
Includes ideas for writing, recycling, and reclaiming, and an index.
- (
HARPERCOLL)
'Nye at her engaging, insightful best.' 'Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Acclaimed poet and Young People's Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye shines a spotlight on the things we cast away, from plastic water bottles to those less fortunate, in this collection of more than eighty original and never-before-published poems. A deeply moving, sometimes funny, and always provocative poetry collection for all ages.
'How much have you thrown away in your lifetime already? Do you ever think about it? Where does this plethora of leavings come from? How long does it take you, even one little you, to fill the can by your desk?' ?Naomi Shihab Nye
National Book Award Finalist, Young People's Poet Laureate, and devoted trash-picker-upper Naomi Shihab Nye explores these questions and more in this original collection of poetry that features more than eighty new poems. "I couldn't save the world, but I could pick up trash," she says in her introduction to this stunning volume.
With poems about food wrappers, lost mittens, plastic straws, refugee children, trashy talk, the environment, connection, community, responsibility to the planet, politics, immigration, time, junk mail, trash collectors, garbage trucks, all that we carry and all that we discard, this is a rich, engaging, moving, and sometimes humorous collection for readers ages twelve to adult.
Includes ideas for writing, recycling, and reclaiming, and an index.
- (
HARPERCOLL)
Booklist Reviews
*Starred Review* What is trash? Do we expand the definition to include people we consider less than ourselves? How many of us "cast away" with little thought of consequences? In these poignant poems, Young People's Poet Laureate Nye challenges readers, no matter their age, to consider their definition of trash and their responses to it. She has become a staunch advocate for cleaning up the world, beginning with the spaces immediately around us. In some respects, her never-before published poems are reminiscent of Shel Silverstein's "Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out" (Where the Sidewalk Ends, 1974); but she challenges readers to become activists and to gain deeper awareness of their surroundings. With titles like "Folded Cardboard in the Street," "Owner of 136 Snakes Surrenders Them, Texas", "Trash Walk", and "Not My Problem", Nye crafts powerful object lessons with every poem. She reminds readers to look at poverty in new ways; to consider the food they toss; and to reflect upon the plastic that has created an island in the Pacific Ocean. The collection features humorous, witty, serious, and even some politically charged poems, all of which will leave readers with a consciousness of the precarious environment. Her poetic polemic on trash is truly a treasure for readers. Grades 3-6. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.