Poetry Friday: p*tag compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
I’ve just bought my first e-book. I realise that might fill some people with horror at how long it’s taken me to jump on the bandwagon, but it was always going to have to be something special that would propel me into action. Perhaps if I spent more time on public transport, I might have succumbed to an e-reader by now, but as it is… Anyway, I’ve just downloaded the free Kindle for PC and have taken the leap, tempted as I was by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong‘s e-book p*tag. It’s an exciting anthology of 31 poems newly written and published to coincide with National Teen Read Week this month in the US: “the first ever electronic poetry anthology of new poems by top poets for teens” – and wow, what a roll of poets it is: check it out here.
Following on from the success of their PoetryTagTime project of children’s poetry in April during the US’s national poetry month, this game of poetry tag includes some simple rules to connect the poems – each one had to include three words from the previous person’s poems. And an added twist is that the poets chose an image from this selection of photographs taken by Sylvia Vardell, as the inspiration for their poem. Each poet then also provided a short introduction to their choice of photograph. All this makes for a very exciting, energetic mix of poetry that can be read and enjoyed in many ways. I loved the added dimension of the word tag used in the cover photograph and to good effect in Janet Wong’s own poem “p*tag” – it rounds off the collection beautifully.
What’s really great is that the conceit of the tagging in no way defines the quality of the individual poems. From Marilyn Singer’s opening reverso poem “Time and Water”, you know you’re in for a treat. The array of names included several I’ve “met” through Poetry Friday, and others who are new to me – what a wonderful way for teenagers to encounter poetry; and the interactive nature of the e-book invites readers to explore each poet’s work more deeply. I was intrigued by Arnold Adoff’s introduction (as much a poem as his actual poem): in it he invites readers to email him so he can send the “original” in its, well, I’d like to say real format, but I’m not sure he would allow the word “real” to slip by – and it’s already on shaky ground in a discussion of e-books. Hmmm! Let’s quote then:
“this poem is in a format to fit the machine you are using now…
but feel free to be in touch [...]
and i’ll send you the “original” and we can talk about:
style and substance and the poet’s hard(est) head….
I’d like to think there’ll be some young poets getting in touch…
With so many ways to find a route into the collection (photographs, the three linking words, each poet’s introduction), not to mention the variety of viewing possibilities for its e-format, these exciting poems touch on so many emotions. From humor to deep pondering, there’s something here for every teen – even the so-called “Reluctant Reader” (Jaime Adoff), and like the goose (or is it a swan?) in Julie Larios’ “Walking, Waiting”, there’s the possibility of ‘a wild honk or two / or three that might surprise you.’
Find out more about this great e-collection here – and read our 2008 interview with Janet here, and this reprint of Sylvia’s article “Pairing Across Cultures” here.
This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by Great Kid Books, where Mary Ann Scheuer is also highlighting p*tag, as are other contributors. So head on over – there’s a feast on offer, as always…
October 7th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Thanks, Marjorie – a great round-up of a terrific collection. I think the spring POETRY TAG TIME was the reason I downloaded the Kindle for PC, too, and bought it as my first e-book!
October 7th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Marjorie, I’m so happy to hear about how much you enjoyed p*tag. It was so much fun to participate in, if a little nerve wracking. I’ve never written a poem in a day before. Ah, the art of letting go. There’s always something to be learned, even if I don’t expect to break my lingering-long habits.
And I did think that was touching and bold of Arnold Adoff to invite over readers. Reminiscent of the generous Robert Cormier tucking his home phone number into a novel.
October 7th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
You’ve made me even more excited about this new collection. Going to purchase a copy pronto! Thanks for the review
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October 7th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I’ve read so much about this! Seems like a truly great project. What to do what to do? I don’t have a kindle, I have an iPad which I hardly ever use – but you’re right it needs to be something really special to get me an e-book. This might justbe it. No hard copy? At all?
October 8th, 2011 at 5:58 am
Myra, I downloaded the free kindle for my pc and I know it’s also available for iPad, so you don’t have to have a kindle to view the book. It is a different experience from holding a book, no question – but poetry seems to be a good way in to the whole e-book world – and with its flow of pictures and commentary etc. p*tag really works well. Amazing, reading your comment too, Robyn, that Kindle might have a lot to thank p*tag for
Jama, I look forard to hearing what you get out of it – I know you’ll enjoy it.
Jeannine, I am awestruck at the thought of all that creativity with each segment the result of a single day’s focus – and I’m sure that adds to the collection’s energy.
October 8th, 2011 at 6:02 am
Hi, Myra! No, there’s no hard copy, which is why it can be bought at such a bargain price, and which is partly how Sylvia and Janet pulled the whole thing together despite the 10000 other things they do. This was my first e-book (there seems to be a club of us!) and I easily downloaded kindle for free on my computer, or you can do it on your ipad and try it out. I’ll never lose my love for books to hold, but I can see that there are places. My college students usually get things at libraries, but sometimes a night or two before class they realize they missed something. Seconds later, it’s on their laps and they’re feeling pretty good!
October 8th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
I can’t wait to dig into this newest collection. I LOVED Poetry Tag!
October 8th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
THANK YOU, Marjorie, for that amazing blog post! And thank you, everyone, for your terrific comments!
Jeannine is right. The deadlines that we imposed on our poets were crazy-short. But Marjorie is right, too: the craziness in deadlines enhanced the anthology. The poems are full of spontaneity, raw energy, first impressions and uncensored emotions. (And working on these books has been such a joyful experience.)
One reason for the eBook format is price (being able to offer books that cost less than a cup of coffee so that they can be impulse buys that help expand the readership for poetry). Another reason is portability. I think it’s really neat that I can read poetry eBooks on my phone while I wait in line at the supermarket!
October 8th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Marjorie, thanks so much for this fantastic shout out! You really GET what we are trying to do and we so appreciate the support. Thanks again! Sylvia
October 11th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Janet and Sylvia, it’s us who thank you, for coming up with such a great project and then seeing the potential of new technologies to get it out there. Somrthing tells me poetry tag is a game that’s here to stay!
October 17th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
What a great blog post Marjorie. Sylvia and Janet are fighting the good fight for children’s poetry!!!!!!
October 17th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting the project! Loved your review!