Synopses & Reviews
From the winner of the Michael L. Printz Honor Award comes a poetry anthology inspired by poets and artists from around the globe.
In the groundbreaking tradition of Heart to Heart, this collection examines the connections between an artistand#8217;s work and a poetand#8217;s response, putting the artist and poet literally on the same page. With an English translation accompanying each poem in its original language, this is a novel, illuminating way to discover poetry and art together. The poems, most published or translated for the first time in the United States, are surprising and engaging, helping us see art from a fresh perspective.
Hailing from thirty-three countries on six continents, the artists and poets included in this collection represent a sampling of the worldand#8217;s diverse art history, from an ancient Egyptian mummy case to a huge contemporary artwork that takes over an entire museum in Sweden. But they also emphasize the universal appeal of art and poetry. In this kaleidoscope of voices and visions, seeing a painting through another personand#8217;s eyes and understanding a strangerand#8217;s point of view, shows how similar we all are.and#160;REVIEWS:and#160;BOOKLIST STARRED: Following a similar format to her 2002 Printz Honor Book, Heart to Heart, Greenberg offers another anthology of accomplished poems inspired by artworks. In this volume, Greenberg extends the bookand#8217;s geographical reach beyond the U.S., bringing together the work of poets and artists from around the globe. As in her Heart to Heart, the poems are grouped loosely into categories, defined in Greenbergand#8217;s inspirational introduction. Some tell stories; some speak in the voice of an object in the artwork; some explore the interaction between a viewer and an art object; and some focus on the elements of an artworkand#8217;s composition. Each spread features a poem in its original language, the English translation, and an artwork, usually from the same country or culture as the poem. With few exceptions, the reproductions of the art, which ranges from ancient to contemporary work, are sharp and clear, and the moving, often startling poems invite readers to savor the words and then look closely art each image. Teen will easily connect with the poemsand#8217; universal themes, including identity, childhood memories, natureand#8217;s mysterious power, and the powerful emotions and experiences that link us all. Biographical information about both poets and the artists concludes this welcome title, which makes a natural partner to Naomi Shihab Nyeand#8217;s This Same Sky (1992). and#150;Booklist, starred reviewand#160;Children's Literature--A great introduction to the study of cultural arts is through ekphrasis: poetry inspired by art. This is a terrific way to expose anyone to multiple foreign languages and different types of artifacts. Thirty-three countries are represented from six continents to bring together an extraordinary variety of art and poetry. Poems are shown in their native languageand#151;and how often does anyone get to compare written Swedish to Navajo? There is also an astounding assortment of art, from classic paintings such as Botticelli's Portrait of a Young Man, and Matisse's Woman in Blue, to Mexican Musicians, made of ceramic and painted wooden figurines, and a mixed media piece entitled The Malmo Experience by Ernesto Neto. The book has four sections determined by the contents of each poem: "Stories," "Voices," "Expressions," and "Impressions." "Stories" includes poems that tell a story about what is occurring in the art. "Voices" narrates the poem from the subject's point of view. "Expressions" is the bond between the viewer and the art, and "Impressions" is the poet's description of the art. The layout of every page displays both poems and its matching artwork for the best and easiest way to comprehend all pieces as one. There are even biographies of the artists, poets, and translators, as well as a labeled world map to further appreciate the work and diversity that made this book. Reviewer: Renee Farrahand#160;Alan Review--In her previous anthology, Heart to Heart, Jan Greenberg collected American poems inspired by works of art. Side by Side continues this tradition from a global perspective. Works of art are reprinted and paired with poetry inspired by the art. The poems are printed both in their original language and in English translation. The poetry and art collected are grouped into chapters: Stories, Voices, Expressions, and Impressions. Additionally, the book contains brief biographies of the artists, authors, and translators, as well as a map of the world identifying the countries reflected in the collection Side by Side is an excellent addition to any classroom or library. It is useful first as a book of fine poetry but also as a supplement to multicultural studies and as a model for the use of art as a prompt for writing. Reviewer: F. Todd Goodson
School Library Journal--Gr 6 Up- Continuing in the vein of Heart to Heart (Abrams, 2001), Greenberg invited poets from around the world to identify a work of art and create a poem about it. In doing so, she not only gathered poetry and art, but also connects readers to global cultures and traditions. Many of the selections were written in languages other than English, and the original and translated poems share center stage, side by side, with the artwork that inspired the verse. This stellar anthology is arranged in four categories. In "Stories," the poet looks at art and imagines a story. In "Voices," the poet speaks as a subject depicted in the poem; "Expressions" explores the process of looking at, asking questions, and interpreting the art, and in "Impressions," the poet describes the artwork and elements of the composition. The careful arrangement seamlessly draws readers' focus to the themes of art and literature, as in Gand#252;nter Kunert's poem "Der Schre i/The Scream" (translated by Gerald Chapple) about Edvard Munch's painting. Poets and artists who are familiar to Western readers, such as Pat Mora, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso, appear side by side with poets and artists who are less widely recognized. The book includes biographies of all the poets, translators, and artists and a world map that identifies each contributor's native country. This sophisticated book is ideal for literature, art, and foreign-language curricula. It creates cultural bridges and celebrates the genius of inspired translation.-Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Synopsis
This is an exceptional poetry collection written by Lakota students in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The historic school was founded in 1888 at the request of Chief Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota. The poems enable readers to learn about the unique lives and heritage of students growing up in such distinctive circumstances and straddling cultures. The collection was compiled by a teacher at the school, working with school administrators, and contains never-before-published artworks by award-winning artist S. D. Nelson.
Praise for Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky
STARRED REVIEW
"This is an important collection that offers opportunities for insight into a culture that has too often been either ignored or misunderstood."
--Booklist, starred review
"A moving, fascinating glimpse across cultures. Vivid, polychromatic illustrations by Nelson accompany the studentsand#8217; evocative works." --Kirkus Reviews
"As a collection, the poems present an interesting, eye-opening look at the Lakota culture, which is one that is often overlooked. The paintings by S.D. Nelson are gorgeous and vibrant."
--Library Media Connection
Awards:
New York Public Libraryand#8217;s Children's Books 2012: 100 Books for Reading and Sharing list
HONORABLE MENTION - 2012 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2013
Synopsis
Told from the Native American point of view,
Black Elkand#8217;s Vision provides a unique perspective on American history. and#160; From recounting the visions Black Elk had as a young boy, to his involvement in the battles of Little Big Horn and Wounded Knee, as well as his journeys to New York City and Europe with Buffalo Billand#8217;s Wild West Show, this biographical account of Black Elkand#8212;an Oglala-Lakota medicine man (1863and#8211;1950)and#8212;follows him from childhood through adulthood. and#160; S. D. Nelson tells the story of Black Elk through the medicine manand#8217;s voice, bringing to life what it was like to be Native American in the mid-to-late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The Native people found their land overrun by the Wha-shi-choos, or White Man, the buffalo slaughtered for sport and to purposely eliminate their main food source, and their people gathered onto reservations. Through it all, Black Elk clung to his childhood visions that planted the seeds to help his peopleand#8212;and all peopleand#8212;understand their place in the circle of life. and#160; The book includes archival images, a timeline, a bibliography, an index, and Nelsonand#8217;s signature art.
and#160; Praise for the work of S. D. Nelson
and#160;
Western Writers of America Spur Storyteller Award
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
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[STAR] and#8220;An appealing story full of excitement, warmth, and wisdom.and#8221; and#8212;The Five Owls, starred review
and#160;
and#8220;A fine choice for story hours, this will also find wide curricular use.and#8221; and#8212;Booklist
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and#8220;A modern-day story in the Sioux tradition of storytelling.and#8221; and#8212;Winston-Salem Journal
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and#8220;Splendid acrylic artwork captures the action, humor, and spirit of the tale. A solid addition to collections of Native American tales and an enjoyable read-aloud.and#8221; and#8212;School Library Journal
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and#8220;Nelson pulls it off with his confident style as a storyteller . . . polished illustrations . . . informative, well written.and#8221; and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
FandP level: U
FandPand#160;genre:and#160;B
About the Author
Jan Greenberg is the coauthor of five books on American art and architecture and the author of seven works of fiction for young readers. Her books have received many honors: the Michael L. Printz Honor Award, ALA Notable Book,
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Booklist Editorand#8217;s Choice, IRA Teachersand#8217; Choice, Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book, the Robert F. Siebert Honor, and
Boston Globeand#150;Horn Book Award Honor Book. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.