Falling Hard, 100 Love Poems
by Teenagers
By Betsy Franco
Cover image retrieved 4/26/13
from
Bibliography
Franco, Betsy. Falling
Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teenagers. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press, 2008.
Print. ISBN 9780763634377
Critical
Analysis
“How do I love thee…
let me count the ways...” This immortal line from Shakespeare could be the
basis for many of the poems in this fresh anthology of poems written by teens
about the eternal search for love. Poets contributing to this collection come
from all types of backgrounds. That connects the reader to this concept of the
search to understand love, because it is such a primal need felt by everyone,
regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age. While the mature
subject matter and vocabulary of some poems directs this more to the upper teen
and older reader, everyone who does read it will identify with the bewilderment
and desire described herein.
Rich vocabulary,
excellent use of metaphors, similes, and other figurative language, and a
strong infusion of sensory imagery are the glue that binds these poems, as well
as the lightning rod that attracts readers. The author’s introduction informs
the reader, “The poetry is honest, edgy, fearless, emotional, and wise.” Emotional
connections throughout the anthology hold the interest of the reader. Poems
appear in a variety of formats- free verse, rhymed, long, and short. Each is
used perfectly for the emotion or experience expressed, and each has a
particular hook. Some poems are titled, others are not. Poems are identified in
a table of contents at the beginning.
It is rather difficult
to realize that this collection was written by teens. Ms. Franco has done an
admirable job in assembling a fabulous collection that is highly readable. The
poems are well-placed to flow comfortably from serious to playful, heart-broken
to deep in the thralls of burning passion. This is an honest, thought-provoking
journey through the teenage heart that would be a good addition to a high
school library.
Book
Reviews
Hazel Rochman
(Booklist, Sep. 15, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 2))
The teen poets in this
lively anthology knock greeting-card clichés even as they celebrate their
romance and their passion (“I want to wrap around you / I want to get inside
you”) and vent their hurt, anger, and longing.
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews,
October 15, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 20))
Romantic love brings
out a whole range of emotions, and all are on display in this richly diverse
collection of poems. Franco, editor of three other anthologies of teen writing,
presents poets ranging in age from 13 to 18. Love, in all its raw, uncensored
intensity is here wonderfully captured in verse by teens for teens.
Deborah Stevenson (The
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Nov. 2008 (Vol. 62, No. 3))
Love in many
forms—passionate, unrequited, defeated, hopeful, hopeless, straight, and
gay—receives the poetic treatment in this collection of young writers’ works,
all but four published for the first time here. Each entry includes the poet’s
name and age (ranging from twelve to eighteen), and Franco’s introduction
explains that though the poems were initially gathered blind, the young
contributors represent various races, cultures, and regions of the country. The
quality here is head and shoulders above most young writers’ collections, and
in fact it’s well above many adult anthologies as well: though a certain eager
amateur showmanship over-decorates the odd poem, there’s both terrific appeal
and stellar artistry here. Recommended. A book of special distinction.
Best
Book Lists
Bulletin Blue Ribbons,
2008 ; The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
New Romance Books for
Youth, 2008 ; Booklist; United States
Pure Poetry, 2008 ;
Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
Stuff for the Teen Age,
2009 ; New York Public Library; United States
YALSA Quick Picks for
Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2009 ; American Library Association
Poetry
Break!
Spotlight
Poem
Pledge of Affection to
a Nerd
I …
… drift, lazy, on the
comforting breeze
as you rhythmically
speak:
computer
jargon.
… can’t get over how
blue your eyes are:
talking
about Star Wars.
… couldn’t be prouder
of you as you recite:
forty-seven
digits of pi.
… will listen, though I
may never understand:
you
beat the final level of Escape from Mordor!
… want to stay in your
arms all evening while you talk about:
ancient
war strategy, lunar eclipses, molecules…
whispering sweet
algorithms in my ear.
Learning
Extensions
Introduction:
·
Invite
students to close their eyes and picture a “nerd.” Ask them to describe what
their mind’s eye sees.
·
Read aloud
the poem, pausing before the final line of each couplet to give students just a
second to anticipate the “punch line” of the couplet.
Extensions:
·
This poem
would be wonderful to read as a duet, with readers alternating couplets, or one
reader take the first line while the other reader takes the second line of the
couplet.
·
Encourage
students to try their hand at writing a love poem to a particular stereotype,
using situations particular to that stereotype (jock, musician, fashionista,
cowboy, teacher’s pet, etc.)
·
Have
students work in small groups of 3-5 to create a stereotype poem. Each writer
would begin by titling the poem and writing the first couplet, each on
different topics/stereotypes. Pass the papers to the left. Read the title and
first couplet, then add another couplet specific for that stereotype. Continue
this pattern until everyone in the group has a chance to write a couplet for
each poem.
Other
Books by Betsy Franco:
Author’s website: http://www.betsyfranco.com/
Metamorphosis, Junior
Year
A Curious Collection of
Cats
Falling Hard, 100 love
poems by teenagers
Bees, Snails, &
Peacock Tails
Birdsongs
Mathematickles!
Counting Our Way to the
100th Day
You Hear Me? poems and
writing by teenage boys;
Things I Have to Tell
You, poems and writing by teenage girls
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