Synopses & Reviews
In
My America, Lee Bennett Hopkins weaves together fifty poems -- grouped by geographic region -- to create a remarkable portrait of the United States. Here is America in all its stunning variety, from the dramatic seacoast of the Northeast and the rippling cornfields of the Plains States to the shimmering deserts of the Southwest and the majestic redwood forests of the Pacific Coast. But here, too, are the ties that bind this nation together -- the hopes and dreams of those who live in our cities and towns and on farms.
The voices of beloved poets like Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Nikki Giovanni, and Lilian Moore blend with new voices to sing not just of landmarks like the Mississippi River, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades, but of daily life across the land. Complementing these personal, moving visions of America are maps of the regions and fascinating facts for each state.
Stephen Alcorn's brilliant, textured artwork makes this book a feast for the eyes as well as for the imagination. Impressive for its breadth, depth, and beauty, My America is a volume readers will savor as they read it time and time again. It is fitting homage to our wideranging, ever-changing land.
About the Author
LEE BENNETT HOPKINS is a distinguished poet, writer, and anthologist whose poetry collections include the highly acclaimed
Hand in Hand: An American History Through Poetry, illustrated by Peter Fiore, and
My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States, and
America at War, both illustrated by Stephen Alcorn. Mr. Hopkins’s numerous awards include the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for “lasting contributions to children’s literature” and both the Christopher Award and a Golden Kite Honor for his verse novel
Been to Yesterdays: Poems of a Life. He lives in Cape Coral, Florida.
Table of Contents
ContentsIntroduction
The Northeast States
Map
Facts
Watercolor Maine C. Drew Lamm
Islands in Boston Harbor David McCord
New England Lighthouse Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Gulls and Buoys Anne LeMieux
City Blockades Lee Bennett Hopkins
Frost's Farm Road James Hayford
Vermont Conversation Patricia Hubbell
The Capital
Map
Facts
Washington, D.C. Rebecca Kai Dotlich
The Southeast States
Map
Facts
Kentucky Lee Bennett Hopkins
Knoxville, Tennessee Nikki Giovanni
Bourbon and Canal Brod Bagert and Charles Smith
The Mississippi Tom Robert Shields
Alabama Earth (At Booker Washington's Grave) Langston Hughes
Some Rivers Frank Asch
The Great Lakes States
Map
Facts
from Crossing Ohio When Poppies Bloom in Ashtabula Carl Sandburg
This Is Indiana Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Tonight in Chicago Anonymous
Dear Cousin Kathryn Allen Ilitch
Wisconsin in Feb-b-rr-uary Lee Bennett Hopkins
Front Porch Leslie Nelson Jennings
Farmer Prince Redcloud
Pine Tree Tops Gary Snyder
The Plains States
Map
Facts
Midwest Town Ruth De Long Peterson
Kansas Boy Ruth Lechlitner
Laughing Corn Carl Sandburg
Nebraska Jon Swan
Grandpa's Trees Barbara M. Hales
Sioux Lullaby Prince Redcloud
Winter Dark Lilian Moore
The Mountain States
Map
Facts
"For Purple Mountains' Majesty" Myra Cohn Livingston
Boulder, Colorado X.J. Kennedy
Driving Montana Kris Aro McLeod
Idaho Kaye Starbird
Snow Country Dave Etter
Skier Robert Francis
Zion National Park -- Utah Fran Haraway
Until We Built a Cabin Aileen Fisher
The Southwest States
Map
Facts
Lifeline Shonto Begay
Cactus April Halprin Wayland
Desert Lillian M. Fisher
The Hawk Douglas Florian
Santa Fe, New Mexico April Halprin Wayland
March in New Mexico Elizabeth Coatsworth
Grand Canyon Colors Tom Robert Shields
The Pacific Coast States
Map
Facts
California Missions Ann Whitford Paul
California Ghost Town Fran Haraway
Behind the Redwood Curtain Natasha Wing
Seattle Morning Lee Bennett Hopkins
Alaska Joaquin Miller
Mauna Loa Tom Robert Shields
Acknowledgments
Index of Authors
Index of Titles
Index of First Lines