Selected by Naomi Shihab Nye,
Time You Let Me In
Greenwillow Books / HarperCollins, 2010.

Ages 14+

“Do you think / if you left your house / emily dickinson / your poems would have titles?” (“do you think . . . ” by Chase Berggrun) “There has never been a shortage of hope and change for young artists and writers,” notes poet Naomi Shihab Nye in her introduction to this anthology. “It’s their currency—to experiment, penetrate layers and realms and eras and elements, participate in many directions, discover what is coming next. Moderation can wait—plenty of time for that later. ” The work of twenty-six* poets under the age of twenty-five comprises this collection that offers a handful of poems from each writer. It is a young and talented group. This is not a free-for-all of stream-of-consciousness or angst-ridden lines but rather a gathering of carefully crafted poems on wide-ranging subjects. Some of the writers are world travelers whose works reflect those perspectives and experiences; others traverse cultural landscapes within their own families and communities. Some write about things intimate; other things internal. All bring a poet’s eye and voice to personal experiences ranging from traumatic to bittersweet to joyous. (*Nye notes her aptitude for language exceeds her aptitude for math.) This volume may serve as inspiration to young writers, but the poems should be read and enjoyed for what they offer us all. (MS) ©2010 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Megan Schliesman
March 2010