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roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
I did not expect to enjoy this book. I couldn't get a clear idea of what to expect, and the subtitle, I think, sounded so technical or something. But I really enjoyed it. The poetry and the artwork work together to give insight into something that might not be straightforward. I loved seeing the ideas that the ports brought to the art, especially in the Stories section.
matthewwester's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. This is a book for all ages. It keeps you engaged because it contains a wide range of art styles and poets, you never knew what you were going to get with the turn of the page. I also really liked the sections the editor used ('Stories' for imagined anecdotes inspired by the art, 'Voices' to tell a story from the perspective of the art, Impressions to describe the impact of seeing the artwork, and Expressions to explore what made the artwork effective).
I am counting this as "a book about art" for 2016 #vtReadingChallenge
I am counting this as "a book about art" for 2016 #vtReadingChallenge
annebennett1957's review against another edition
3.0
This book won a Printz Honor in 2002. The project was for poets to write about their favorite piece of art from the 20th century. Fun and attractive.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
This nonfiction book presents the lives of various Americans through poetry and artwork.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
I read and used this book when I taught teens about poetry and creative writing one summer. We used it to guide our own trip to the Art Museum and writing creatively about that art (I subsequently had a piece published from this project, too, inspired by an Edmund Teske photograph).
Rereading it, I'm surprised (and pleased) how many well-known poets are included. The art selected is a nice range of styles and the poetry, too, ranges from really restricted form poems to free verse.
Rereading it, I'm surprised (and pleased) how many well-known poets are included. The art selected is a nice range of styles and the poetry, too, ranges from really restricted form poems to free verse.
thebisexualbooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
I've had this on my TBR for exactly 1 million years, and to be perfectly honest, it did not live up to my expectations. The concept is still great, just somewhat poorly executed. Many of the piece read more like scrambled word salads than poems. Far too many exclamation points for my taste. That said, the art was cool, and covered a wide range of genres and eras. Plus, it includes my new most favorite piece of literature I have ever encountered: On Lichtenstein's "Bananas & Grapefruit" by Deborah Pope. I'll give you one guess as to what piece of art it's representing. There's something about the form, the rhyming, the vibrant word choice paired with such a pristinely energetic painting that I found overwhelmingly pleasing. The book is worth picking up just for such an animated, fun little piece.
Other poems I particularly enjoyed are Early Sunday Morning by Dan Masterson (it really captured the quiet, pre-bustle atmosphere of the painting by Edward Hopper), Red Hills and Bones (a lovely encapsulation of the painting by Georgia O'Keefe - you really can't go wrong with Georgia), Big French Bread by Marvin Bell (pays nice attention to the detail in the creation "French Bread" by Red Grooms), and Map by J. Patrick Lewis (based on the painting by Jasper Johns; I especially like the invention of the word "oxymoronicamerica").
Other poems I particularly enjoyed are Early Sunday Morning by Dan Masterson (it really captured the quiet, pre-bustle atmosphere of the painting by Edward Hopper), Red Hills and Bones (a lovely encapsulation of the painting by Georgia O'Keefe - you really can't go wrong with Georgia), Big French Bread by Marvin Bell (pays nice attention to the detail in the creation "French Bread" by Red Grooms), and Map by J. Patrick Lewis (based on the painting by Jasper Johns; I especially like the invention of the word "oxymoronicamerica").
cuocuo's review against another edition
4.0
An anthology of original poetry inspired by American art. An impressive cast of poets is featured, including: Jane Yolen, Nancy Willard, X. J. Kennedy, Naomi Shihab Nye, David Mura, and Angela Johnson, among others. Artworks by Thomas Hart Benton, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Grandma Moses, Faith Ringgold, Man Ray, Georgia O'Keeffe, and more serve as subject matter. Each poem is presented next to a photograph of the artwork. The book includes biographical notes on the poets and artists, as well as an index. An introduction by Greenberg explains the project and how the poems are arranged. This book would serve as a good introduction to famous American artists and contemporary poets for middle and high school students. It would also serve as a good example for students to write their own poem inspired by their favorite piece of art, either as a school project or a library program. The incorporation of images may encourage reluctant poetry readers to give this book a try. A recommended purchase for school and public libraries.