Summer Spotlight ~Authors to Know
Ellen Hopkins
www.ellenhopkins.com
Ellen writes about serious teenage struggles in the style of verse. After her own daughter became addicted to crystal meth, she wrote a debut novel, Crank that details the devastating effects of drug use and addiction. Other titles like Crank include: Burned, Impulse, Identical, Glass and Tricks. These books are recommended for older teens.
www.ellenhopkins.com
Ellen writes about serious teenage struggles in the style of verse. After her own daughter became addicted to crystal meth, she wrote a debut novel, Crank that details the devastating effects of drug use and addiction. Other titles like Crank include: Burned, Impulse, Identical, Glass and Tricks. These books are recommended for older teens.
John Grandits
http://www.johngrandits.com
For the reluctant poet, John Grandits makes poetry look fun and easy. His two books of concrete poems draw the reader through words, ideas, type and unique design that create pictures and patterns. In his first book of concrete poetry, Technically, It’s Not My Fault, the poems revolve around the everyday problems and events of eleven year old Robert. The sequel to that is Blue Lipstick, focuses on the typical thoughts and events of Robert’s older sister, Jessie. These are good choices for middle school students.
http://www.johngrandits.com
For the reluctant poet, John Grandits makes poetry look fun and easy. His two books of concrete poems draw the reader through words, ideas, type and unique design that create pictures and patterns. In his first book of concrete poetry, Technically, It’s Not My Fault, the poems revolve around the everyday problems and events of eleven year old Robert. The sequel to that is Blue Lipstick, focuses on the typical thoughts and events of Robert’s older sister, Jessie. These are good choices for middle school students.
Margarita Engle
Award winning poet Margarita is a Cuban American poet, writes historical accounts of strength, survival and the battle for independence in Cuba in verse. Outstanding books to look for include: The Surrender Tree, The Poet Slave, Tropical Secrets and The Firefly Letters.
Award winning poet Margarita is a Cuban American poet, writes historical accounts of strength, survival and the battle for independence in Cuba in verse. Outstanding books to look for include: The Surrender Tree, The Poet Slave, Tropical Secrets and The Firefly Letters.
Pat Mora
www.patmora.com
This prolific author and poet writes for all ages, but Dizzy in Your Eyes, Poems About Love is written for teens in many poetic forms from haiku, sonnets, blues, and blank verse to the lesser known sestina, tanka, triolet, turcet and villanelle to name a few. Also recommended is My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults; a collection of poems covering universal experiences from the pleasure of eating a mango to witnessing the sad effects of poverty. Mexican phrases and cultural symbols highlight her Spanish roots in this work
www.patmora.com
This prolific author and poet writes for all ages, but Dizzy in Your Eyes, Poems About Love is written for teens in many poetic forms from haiku, sonnets, blues, and blank verse to the lesser known sestina, tanka, triolet, turcet and villanelle to name a few. Also recommended is My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults; a collection of poems covering universal experiences from the pleasure of eating a mango to witnessing the sad effects of poverty. Mexican phrases and cultural symbols highlight her Spanish roots in this work
Charles R. Smith Jr.
www.charlesrsmithjr.com
Filling the niche of sports poetry, Charles R. Smith Jr. creates books for a variety of ages and sports interests. He is also a talented novelist and photographer. He won the 2010 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration for My People, in which his photographs are combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes to create a true work of art. Some titles to look for include: Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Rimshots and Short Takes. He is also an amazing spoken word artist; listen to him read some his poetry on his website!
www.charlesrsmithjr.com
Filling the niche of sports poetry, Charles R. Smith Jr. creates books for a variety of ages and sports interests. He is also a talented novelist and photographer. He won the 2010 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration for My People, in which his photographs are combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes to create a true work of art. Some titles to look for include: Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Rimshots and Short Takes. He is also an amazing spoken word artist; listen to him read some his poetry on his website!