A collection of original poems and creative writing exercises that will inspire teens to write about their own lives. "Since the very beginnings of the human race, we've been gathering in circles and telling stories because beyond the physical needs for food, water, clean air, and security, one of our most basic yearnings is to express ourselves, to share what we know, what we dream, what we imagine, and what we feel." Experienced poet and teacher Kathi Appelt has written a wonderful collection of poems for young adult readers, accompanied by fascinating accounts of how and why the poems came to be, along with writing exercises to inspire readers to create their own poetry. A perfect gift and an excellent classroom resource, this book opens up the world of poetry in a way that is accessible and appealing to teens. Kathi Appeltis the author of many books for young readers. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she teaches writing to both children and adults. Appelt lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband and their two sons. ABooklistTop 10 Youth Poetry Selection Beloved author and teacher Kathi Appelt offers a series of insightful poems that strike at both the emotional heart and intellectual core of adolescent longing while also offering informative notes, lessons, and exercises on how poems of all sorts are made. The characters in this book's two-dozen-plus poems are at once familiar and unforgettable, as accessible as they are true-to-life. In one poem we see a flirtatious couple passing notes in history class; in another we encounter an obese girl whose name nobody remembers. Aimed at students in Grades 8 and above, and divided into two sections (the first containing Appelt's keen and sensitive poems, the second exploring how they were written and how YA readers can begin poems of their own),Poems from Homeroomprovides budding young writers with a well-articulated guide on how to compose poems of clarity and originality. "The poems are tender and shine with memorable images; the prose has a contagious message to shed inhibitions and pick up the pen." Booklist "This is indeed a fine place for a writer to start . . . Appelt covers where ideas, inspiration, and feelings come from and encourages their expression in verse. Her poems are at times sensual, dramatic, or violent, and always rhythmic. They are fascinating, smooth, and 'with it.' In them, readers meet real teens and in a few words get to understand their needs, fears, and longings." School Library Journal "Appelt, best known for her books for younger readers, has also taught poetry to children and adults. Her own poems here describe the lives and longings of high-school students. From the boy who secretly washes the name of the girl he has a crush on from the boy's room stall to the girl who can't get over getting her driver's license, Appelt focuses on the large and minute dramas of teenage life, giving readers a springboard for their own writing. The 26 poems in the first section are followed by a page about each poem describing Appelt's inspiration and techniques, and suggesting starting points for poems about a similar longing. Though most of the poems are free verse, there are a few in standard forms, or which employ some device. There is a villanelle, a sestina, and haiku, as well as a series of acrostics, and a 'poem in five acts,' with a voice and imagery evocative of Shakespeare, about the two teenagers who are playing Romeo and Juliet in the school play . . . Most of [Appelt's] poems will speak directly to her readers, who will also appreciate her suggestions, and her excellent bibliography of adult books on writing." Kirkus Reviews Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Finally, "In the Nurse's Office," "The Fat Girl" and "Notes Passed Back and Forth in United States History, Seventh Period" are just three of the more than 20 original offerings included in Poems from Homeroom: A Writer's Place to Start by Kathi Appelt. Divided in two, the book offers free verse in the first half; Part II uses the work to spark adolescent's own writing. (Aug.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 8 Up-This is indeed a fine place for a writer to start. It is not about mechanics and the rhythms of poetry. Instead, Appelt covers where ideas, inspiration, and feelings come from and encourages their expression in verse. Her poems are at times sensual, dramatic, or violent, and always rhythmic. They are fascinating, smooth, and "with it." In them, readers meet real teens and in a few words get to understand their needs, fears, and longings. The format is similar to Appelt's Just People & Paper/Pen/Poem (Absey, 1996). The first section is composed of 26 poems. The style is mainly free verse with a few poem structures. The book's weakest element is that for a how-to manual there is little variety of style. The strongest poems are "The Tattoo Dragon," a short poem with high appeal about a tattoo; "What He Knew," about graffiti and a crush; "Homecoming," about a short tenth grader dancing with a tall girl; "Dumpling," about child sex abuse; and "What He Took with Him," about leaving home. The second section explains each poem and encourages readers to write. Questions, ideas, and writer exercises are given. Paul B. Janeczko's Seeing the Blue Between (Candlewick, 2002) features more styles and 32 renowned poets. Appelt's title will be great for schools, YA collections, budding writers, teachers, and homeschool providers.-Susannah Price, Boise Public Library, ID Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Kathi Appelt is the author of many picture books, as well as several books for older readers, including Kissing Tennessee: And Other Stories from the Stardust Dance, chosen as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Kathi teaches writing to both children and adults. She lives in College Station, Texas, with her husband and their two sons Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Poetry Is the Home for All My Yearnings	p. ix
Part 1 Homeroom: The Poems
Homeroom	p. 3
Lost in the Blues	p. 4
The Tattoo Dragon	p. 6
Good Job, Buddy	p. 7
Revelations	p. 14
In the Nurse's Office	p. 15
What He Knew	p. 16
Dreaming in Haiku	p. 17
Homecoming	p. 18
Elegies for Those We Lost Too Soon: Seven Acrostics	p. 20
The Fat Girl	p. 23
Cyberlove	p. 25
Coach's Son	p. 26
Cheers	p. 27
The Research Paper: A Sestina	p. 28
A Circle of Light: A Poem in Five Acts	p. 30
Ms. Dove and Mr. Edgars	p. 35
The Yearbook Photographer	p. 36
Dumpling	p. 37
Notes Passed Back and Forth/in U.S. History Class,/Seventh Period	p. 39
The Driver's License	p. 41
Apply Yourself!	p. 43
What He Took with Him	p. 44
The Science Fair	p. 45
The Twirling Queen of Dogwood, Texas	p. 46
Night Mares	p. 53
Part 2 Study Hall: Writing What We Long for
Homeroom	p. 57
Lost in the Blues	p. 59
The Tattoo Dragon	p. 62
Good Job, Buddy	p. 64
Revelations	p. 66
In the Nurse's Office	p. 68
What He Knew	p. 71
Dreaming in Haiku	p. 72
Homecoming	p. 75
Elegies for Those We Lost Too Soon: Seven Acrostics	p. 77
The Fat Girl	p. 80
Cyberlove	p. 82
Coach's Son	p. 84
Cheers	p. 86
The Research Paper: A Sestina	p. 88
A Circle of Light: A Poem in Five Acts	p. 90
Ms. Dove and Mr. Edgars	p. 92
The Yearbook Photographer	p. 94
Dumpling	p. 96
Notes Passed Back and Forth / in U.S. History Class, / Seventh Period	p. 98
The Driver's License	p. 100
Apply Yourself!	p. 102
What He Took with Him	p. 104
The Science Fair	p. 106
The Twirling Queen of Dogwood, Texas	p. 108
Night Mares	p. 110
Some Helpful Books on Writing Poetry	p. 113

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.