April 15, 1994
Gr. 5 and up, younger for reading aloud. Giovanni has added 10 new poems to her acclaimed 1973 collection of 23 poems for young people. Ford's illustrations in sepia shades are bold and full of character and dreaming. As Virginia Hamilton says in her foreword, Giovanni's voice is personal and warm, she "celebrates ordinary folks" and writes of struggle and liberation. She's upbeat and celebratory without minimizing hard times. The publisher doesn't indicate which are the new poems, but, certainly, any library that doesn't have the original title will want to buy this one. These are poems that sing. Giovanni says, "if i were a poet / i'd kidnap you," and that's what she does. ((Reviewed Apr. 15, 1994))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1994, American Library Association.)