Every day thousands of teenage girls log on to a unique Web site called PlanetKiki.com. They come for the gossip, the advice and beauty tips. But mostly they come for each other. Seventy-five percent of Planet Kiki's content is created by its audience, and the most compelling chunk of that content is the poetry. Raw, soul-baring, outspoken, unfiltered, direct - here are the voices of teenage girls worldwide, at their most expressive.
ANGST! Compiles the best of Planet Kiki's poetry in an edgy anthology on the agony and the ecstasy of being a teenager. ANGST! Covers the full spectrum of the girl's experience: the struggles with falling in love, being unpopular, braking up, feeling alienated, searching for life's meaning, bonding with friends, even the awkwardness of not having the right clothes. Uplifting, commiserating, humorous, and always passionate about telling the truth, these are poems that speak from the teenage heart, to the teenage heart.
Following the poems is a Poetry 101 primers, complete with tips on subjects, forms, rhyming and technique, plus brief bios of the poets featured.
Divided into sections such as "Society's Ills," "Crushed" and "Why Me?," the more than 60 poems included in Angst!: Teen Verses from the Edge edited by Karen Tom, illus. by Matt Frost, explore teens' thoughts and frustrations in their own words. From "Multiracial in a Small Town" to "The Whinings of a Middle-Class White Girl" to "Ode to Narcissus," the verses cover a wide range of viewpoints; a final chapter, "Poetry 101," defines different kinds of poetry and invites readers to try their hand at rhyme and meter.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up-This collection of poetry derives from the Web site PlanetKiki.com, and the editor has done a fine job of maintaining its hard-edged feel in a print medium. With the look of a fanzine and the uncensored flavor of an Internet chat room (there's some strong language here), the selections, written by teen girls, will no doubt find an audience due to the quick pacing, fresh look, and offbeat attitude. This is poetry on the verge with trash-talking verse about crushes, rumors, multiracial issues, smoking, and individuality. Sections titled "Society's Ills" and "Argh! I Hate You!" appropriately encompass the pieces within. There are no poetic triumphs here, but that hardly matters. This is slam-bam, hard-hitting verse that may be just what today's teens can relate to. The editor includes a useful, playful appendix titled "Poetry 101," a guide to different styles of poetry (haiku, limericks, cinquains) and poetry conventions (alliteration, meter, metaphor). The book is irreverent enough that it just might convince those who traditionally shun poetry to give it a second glance.
Born a sexy double Scorpio, Astrosexologist® Kiki T. began her astro adventures at the tender age of 11. Brewing with precociousness and perversion, Kiki was led to astrology due to an obsession -- of course! In dire love with a Scorpio pop star, she was convinced he was her soul mate. Astrology confirmed their compatibility; from there, Kiki was hooked.
Then, following those years, she learned the ins and outs of astrology, got off her teen idol obsession and mastered the finer points of this starry maze of manipulation. In college, she learned how to do charts for extra cash, along with a plethora of other colorful jobs, including a cigarette girl, a bartender (plus a stint at S&M club) and even a phone psychic.
Eventually, out of college, having majored in creative writing, someone suggested she pitch an astrology column. Taking that advice, her writing career began. The first column she created was for a gay and lesbian publication, entitled, "The Celestial Bitch and Butch Report" -- with two predictions, each based on your inner bitch or butch. Then, her expertise was focused on the teen scene for several years, until she owned up to what she does best -- be smutty. In 2002, Kiki landed her column in Playgirl and her career as the one and only Astrosexologist began.
In 2004, Kiki's astro adventures continued, becoming the astrologer for Jane. Following, in 2005, her astral opus, The Celestial Sexpot's Handbook, sold to Warner Books and in July 2006 Kiki went international by becoming the Astrosexologist for UK sex magazine, Scarlet.
After the release of The Celestial Sexpot's Handbook in January 2007, Kiki took on radio and started her foray into TV with nabbing a MTV pilot (and later a GSN pilot) and also becoming a monthly astrological radio correspondent to the Maria Sanchez Morning Show in California. Later in October 2007, Kiki started appearing frequently on Ed Lover's Morning Show on Hot 105.1 FM in New York City, after her first appearance won her the record for most calls and texts received for any guest ever -- registering over 800 in just 20 minutes.
Additionally, in March 2007 Kiki became Astrosexologist to www.myLifetimetv.com, providing a column on how to vamp up one's sex lives cosmically, in which she titled Celestial Charm School. MyLifetimetv.com have since asked Kiki to create and host 24 webepisodes based on her column and do a national TV satellite tour. In July 2007, Kiki went on FOX's Mike and Juliet Show with two segments all about astrosexology. The show was so well received, they requested Kiki back and she appeared again three weeks later, correctly predicting Obama as the next president, even before the democratic convention or the Iowa caucus.
Then in August 2007, Kiki was asked to be the astrologer for New York Post's Page Six Magazine, also simultaneously serving as consultant on TMZ's, "Is it in the stars?" Following, in March 2008, Kiki became the astrologer for www.TheFrisky.com, Turner Broadcasting's blog about sex, dating and relationships. She pens three columns for the site, including the weekly love and sex horoscopes -- the Friskyscopes, a Q&A advice column entitled, Ask The Astrosexologist and a column called, In Bed With, in which she dissects the astrological make-up of a hot celebrity and spills the beans on what they are like in love and sex.
On October 12, 2009, Kiki appeared on The Tyra Show, breaking down the zodiac and outing which signs are the most prone to cheating and answering audience dilemma. The spot was so fun; Tyra herself requested Kiki back and filmed a whole show on astrology two weeks later, which aired on April 21, 2010. Also, in mid December 2009 Kiki joined the popular astrology website, Astrology.com, as their pop culture blogger, writing the lead story daily on current happenings, but with an astrological twist.
As of recent, Kiki has taken on more of the world! In February 2010, The Celestial Sexpot was released for the good people of Romania and in the US, the book continues onto its second printing! Also, upcoming is Kiki's latest TV segment on NBC's Non-stop NY Gossip Gram and in 2011 Kiki will debut in Australia, as the new columnist for Girlfriend magazine!
Currently, Kiki lives in NYC and enjoys a charmed life.
This review is from: Angst!: Teen Verses From the Edge! (Paperback)
Some of the poems in this book are okay,Yet the majority of them are badly written and sometimes make no sense at all.I thought since I'm a teen who likes writing poetry.That I would like this book yet I was disappionted.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Angst!: Teen Verses From the Edge! (Paperback)
I usually don't like to be a negative critic of others' writing, but i felt that i had to say something to help someone else avoid the mistake of buying this book. each poem sounds exactly like every other teenage angst poem that we all wrote at the age of 12. i think these people should grow up a little, learn a bit about what poetry can really sound like (here's a hint: not every poem you write needs to use the rhyming words such as me see be, you too blue, love above dove), then rewrite everything thats in this book. try reading saul williams' poetry for example, and don't waste your money on this nonsense.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Angst!: Teen Verses From the Edge! (Paperback)
I got this book from a friend for my birthday and since then I have taken up writing. This book was a total inspiration!!!!!!!! Chapter 101 or whatever it is called was really moving. I recommend this for anyone looking for a way to express themselves positively. Plus, it is colorful and not very expensive.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
