I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans [Mass Market Paperback]

Arnold Adoff (Author), Benny Andrews (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

A collection of African-American poetry is specifically created for young readers and includes a foreword by Nikki Giovanni and contributions by such prominent writers as Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up. Countless anthologies of African-American poetry, many with elaborate illustrations, have appeared since Adoff's I Am the Darker Brother (Macmillan, 1968) was published. It remains remarkable in its ability to present the African-American experience through poetry that speaks for itself without the distraction of artwork or the need to trumpet itself as being multicultural. This revised and updated edition has 21 new selections, representing 19 poets (9 of them women), added to the thematic sections of the original title. Now, readers can meet more contemporary writers such as Rita Dove, Maya Angelou, and Ishmael Reed as well as classic black poets like Countee Cullen, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Langston Hughes. An introduction puts the book in historical context and a foreword offers encouragement to a new generation of readers. Notes and biographies have been updated and added where appropriate and Andrews's spare but evocative line drawings still open each section. Because of the historical context of many of the poems, the book will be much in demand during Black History Month, but it should be used and treasured as part of the larger canon of literature to be enjoyed by all Americans at all times of the year. An indispensable addition to library collections.?Carrie Schadle, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7 and up. Nearly 30 years after poet and anthologist Adoff first published his classic core collection of black poetry, this new edition has been expanded to include 21 additional poets, 10 of them women. In a celebratory afterword, Adoff remembers how he collected those first poems into a book in 1968 so that he could present to his students, of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, "the complete vision of an American literature." Many of us can still remember the excitement of reading that original anthology, of discovering those distinct, powerful voices so long left out of the American canon. The arrangement here is still by theme, with the new poems echoing, arguing with, connecting, and extending the core. There are eloquent introductions by critic Rudine Sims Bishop and poet Nikki Giovanni and notes at the back on the poems as well as brief biographies of the poets. A must purchase. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; Revised edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689808690
• ISBN-13: 978-0689808692
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you proud to be a minority!, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this book, it made me proud to be an African American. It makes you realize that the things you see on TV and the news are covering up the talent and greatness of African Americans. There are poems by various poets, all of them are great!

5.0 out of 5 stars This book increased my passion for poetry., September 23, 2009

By 

S. Russell (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans (Mass Market Paperback)

My mother had a copy of this book in the early 80's and it was one I could not put down. During this time, teachers didn't share information about the "Black" experience. I believe this is a good read for young African Amercans. It will help them appreciate who they are and where they come from.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most amazing anthologies in all of American literature., July 3, 2009

By 

Lindsey Miller "Lindsey's Library" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by African Americans (Mass Market Paperback)

Not only is this collection poignant and educational for younger readers, but I believe that it is an absolutely essential read for the youth of America. Too quickly people forget about the past, and these poems are necessary in order that history doesn't continue to repeat itself. There are so many phenomenal gems by well-known authors and poets throughout the 20th century, and every single one of them is still relevant to our culture today. The list of poets in this anthology is amazing, and it's an important read for anyone in order to show us a mirror, reflecting the current state of ourselves in hopes that we will grow and expand our understanding of life and humanity.

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