Title: I Just Hope It's Lethal: Poems of Sadness, Madness, & Joy
Authors: Liz Rosenberg and Deena November
Summary: Rosenberg and November have arranged this poetry collection that focuses on depression and related themes into five sections. "Sadness without Reason: Moods" contains poems about depression but also about other intense moods experienced in adolescence. Another section explores "the ways in which the world itself can be deranged." A third includes poems about being "crazy in love." Another section is about madness and the final section looks at "the relief of coming up out of a bad period." This anthology is composed of ninety-one poems that allow for the inclusion of the expected but also the unexpected. There are a wide range of styles from poets both famous and lesser known and from various time periods. In their introductions, both editors mention their own struggles with depression. November wants teenagers to understand that depression is common and that poems, especially by poets who have been there, can offer comfort. Rosenberg discusses her teenage search for books that "spoke to my own up-and-down experience." Biographical notes of each author conclude the anthology.
Reaction: I enjoyed this book. I think many individuals would be able to connect to some of the poems located within this anthology. I really enjoyed reading the introduction of this book. I liked how the authors told their stories of why they wanted to compose this book. I think many individuals would be intrigued about how the authors were diagnosed with depression. Some of the poems are depressing but I think they really help people to understand what teenagers have to deal with. Many teens deal with depression at some point in their life and it's important to understand how they feel. This book will also help teens to realize other people deal with the same problems that they do.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to students in grades 9 and up. I think advanced students in grades 7 and 8 would be able to handle this book but some of them might not be able to grasp the imagery and analogies located within some of the poems.
Book talk hook: I would read part of the introduction to the students.
I haven't been out of my teenage years for that long now, but I will always remember them whether I want to or not. Life is insane, the world is insane, and this is nothing new nor profound. Tragically, being a teenager makes everything feel much worse. Adults mock the "no one understands me" aspect that we know and live all too well.
When I was in my early teens, I was convinced I would surely die before I reached twenty, either naturally or self-induced. There were times I felt alienated, misunderstood, and depressed. Once, I threw a wooden chair at my mother out of frustration. All through high school I was crying in detention, contemplating walking into traffic, and rescheduling appointments with my therapist in between classes. I didn't want to be living a life I couldn't exist in anymore.
Feeling unmotivated, trapped, unheard, and suicidal, I began to take pictures, draw, and, most passionately, to write. I found writing to be an outlet for my depression, and it has been my savior ever since. I only hope that everyone who has ever experienced days that seem like hell finds some sort of creative outlet that sparks a passion and motivation to wake up, take a shower, and live out each day.
This volume of poetry sounds like it could be very powerful. I have a book of poetry about loneliness and there are some students that seem drawn to the book. I think this book would attract more readers, especially girls. I like the cover, too.
ReplyDeleteAt first, my reaction was to only to the serious nature of this collection and about the audience to which it speaks. I then reread the last paragraph and realized it is not only for the person who reads it for comfort, as November states - but also provides an example of what this style of writing can offer to the student as a means of expression - no matter what feelings they may be trying to convey.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting collection. Definitely addresses feelings many adolescents may have and may help them.
ReplyDeleteYour book hook tells us that this author/editor really knows what it is liked to be depressed. It is good that she found writing to express herself. I do agree that many teens will be able to identify with the topics in this book of poetry. I think anyone that remembers part of their teen years could probably relate to something in this book.
ReplyDeleteI love how poems can convey emotion so simply.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your hook. Teenage years are very hard.
ReplyDeleteI too liked the hook, and I think right away you would catch the interest of quite a few students who were feeling that exact way. The only thing I wonder about though, is does this book focus more on how to handle and deal with depression, or does it just have poems that portray people being depressed. If so, it seems like it might be kind of a downer! I am sure I would have ate this book up when I was going through my teenage angst period though.
ReplyDeleteMorgan, I agree your hook is really good. This sounds like a powerful anthology. Depression among young people is on the rise and this would help them feel that they aren't isolated in their feelings. Further, it could help those that have trouble relating to young people who are depressed or just having a really rough go of it. Poetry can be so powerful if it isn't destroyed by poor presentation by teachers.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I read the title I instantly made a connection between this book and some of my 8th grade girls from last year. I think that there are a lot of students that suffer silently in their depression. I would have loved to have had this book on my shelf for them to read. In my experience, if a book relates to the reader's life, a challenging reading level will not stop them from reading it.
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of the book and was looking for one that I would like to read in class but found it a struggle. Did you like the selection of poems? I like the concept and organization but not sure if I like many of the poems...
ReplyDeleteI love the title, content, and organization of the book. I particularly like that it's an anthology and contains author's notes so the reader can really feel like part of a group. A depressing, anxious group. I agree that this doesn't seem like the type of poetry book to use as a read aloud.
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