I am pinching myself today. I just got my shipment of Here We Go, Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong’s latest Poetry Friday project. These two amazing women have been gathering poets in anthologies for years. I met them a few years ago at NCTE at the Children’s Literature Lunch. They handed me the Poetry Friday anthology for Science. This is how they are. Their goal is to get poetry in the hands of teachers who will pass them on to children.
At NCTE 2016, I saw Sylvia and Janet in a hotel restaurant. They were eating breakfast. I just walked right on up. This time they handed me You Just Wait. We took a picture with my class’s mascot, Jack. Before we said good-bye, I said, “I want to write a poem for you.”
“Well,” exclaimed Janet, “It just so happens we need one more poem for our next book coming out before the inauguration.”
“In this book, we want to empower the voices of girls. Do you think you could write a poem from the point of view of a young girl who wants to do something she’s been told she can’t do?”
“Of course I can!” I didn’t really say that. I said, “I’d like to try.”
I had no idea my poem would be next to poets like Naomi Shihab Nye and Carole Boston Weatherford. I’ve long admired Poetry Friday contributors such as Michelle Heindenrich Barnes, Kate Coombs, and Robyn Hood Black.
I absolutely love the format they have used for this book! The subtitle is “A Poetry Friday Power Book.” Included are 12 powerplay prewriting activities, 12 anchor poems, 24 new poems to join them together,12 power2you writing prompts, and 12 resource lists for young writers and activists. The poems work together to create a story of community, bias, acceptance, and activism. Each “Power Pack” can be used by an individual writer or by a teacher with her class.
Please join me in celebrating this new book by leaving a comment. Janet and Sylvia sent me 5 extra copies to give away. Leave a comment by Friday, Jan. 27th to be entered into a random drawing for a free copy.
How wonderful a story you’ve told. I’ve often wondered how one gets invited to participate in a PF collection. Now I know I may never get to, since I don’t know Sylvia or Janet in person. I admire your poem, and it’s hour glass structure. I like the way you built momentum with the syllables increasing, then brought it back to a point of focus on the last stanza line. What an honor to have your poem used in its first publication as a mentor for another poem. Congrats to you and well done!
I’m sure there are some who get invited. I just forced my way in. Thanks! The structure is a cinquain.
It’s the perfect form for it. I should try that sometime soon. And I don’t feel you forced your way. Your warm personality got you invited. I honor that. XOXO
Margaret, this is the celebration I needed on this day! I LOVE what this book stands for and the possibilities to inspire, awaken and empower children,adults, and communities to take action. LOVE your poem…Girl Grit!! WOW!
Margaret, this is a post to celebrate, to be proud of and better yet….put to good use. I love that you are in this book. I’m looking forward to getting this book into the hands of my students and ramping up the power of poetry and poets in our world. Bravo! Take a bow.
And, I think I just need to keep a standing order open with Pomelo Press. They don’t publish anything that I feel like I can live without!
Great poem. I’m always fascinated by your ability to choose few words that make big impact.
Wonderful to see your words in a book AND the poem it inspired.
Margaret, I love how you walked up to Janet and Sylvia and offered your words… and then wrote a poem about girls doing just such a thing! Congratulations on your poem in the book, and thanks for sharing the adorable picture of you three (four!). xo
How exciting, Margaret…bravo!
Congratulations! Your words inspire me. But now so many young people who don’t follow your blog will be inspired with your poem in this book. That must give you goosebumps.
So much wonderfulness in all of this – the book, the picture, your courage, your poem…and inspiration for all!
Margaret, these are lovely, brave poems. I know readers will love them. Thanks so much for sharing a bit about your journey. I look forward to reading this one.
Wonderful, Margaret–your grit shines through in this one! Congratulations.
How thrilling to have your poem included in such an inspiring collection! Well deserved!
Woo hoo! Congratulations on having your poem included. I’ve been hearing such good things about this collection. I can’t wait to read it myself.
I love your story, Margaret, and love that you have a poem in this book. Don’t put me in the drawing for I already have a copy. It is so wonderful that Janet and Sylvia put this together so quickly, a blessing for this coming year.
Congratulations!! Love the story of how you got a poem in the book and your photo with these two poetry movers and shakers!
Gritty girls who never bring you coffee…
may sit right down and say they’d like to write a poem for you!
A ferocious woman you are, indeed! And a wonderful writer of poems, too.
Congratulations!
Great stuff! Congratulations! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Congrats on getting into the anthology and for highlighiting such lovely people as Sylvia and Janet!
Margaret, congratulations on being an author in Janet and Sylvia’s new book. It is very exciting, especially since your voice is advocating girl’s rights. Janet and Sylvia’s creations are perfect for the world today.
I love your poem, and I love it even more now that I know it happened because you had the GRIT and GUMPTION to walk up to those two and offer your talents! Yay, YOU!
Congratulations to you, Janet, and Sylvia! All 3 of my daughters would appreciate your “Grit!”
I Love “Girl Grit” and the response poem, too. The whole idea of this book is wonderful and so necessary as a tool to help empower girls. I can’t wait to see it. I don’t need to be in the drawing. I’m not actively teaching, and someone who is needs it more!
Congratulations, Margaret. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Girl empowerment — what perfect timing!
Bravo, Margaret! You can indeed “do anything” you try!
When I first read your poem, Margaret (before I read this blog post) I wondered if you had one of your students in mind when you wrote it. Maybe you did, maybe you didn’t, but now I realize it could just as easily have been inspired by your own gritty girl self. Keep being awesome, girl!