The Body Eclectic: An Anthology of Poems [Hardcover]

Patrice Vecchione (Author)

Book Description

Series: Books for Young Readers | Publication Date: May 1, 2002

The first poetry anthology for teens to address one of their foremost concerns-the body.

Experienced anthologist and teacher Patrice Vecchione has put together an immensely powerful group of poems, all of which address a unifying theme of major interest to teens-the body. Drawing on poems both serious and silly and poets from Shakespeare to Lucille Clifton, The Body Eclectic looks at what our bodies are, what they are not, how we love them and taunt them, what they give us, and what they take away.

A wonderful collection of poems on a hot topic for teens, and a perfect gift and companion in one of the most universal struggles of adolescence.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Body Eclectic: An Anthology of Poems, edited by Patrice Vecchione, explores the human body from the inside out with more than 70 poems, beginning with an excerpt from Walt Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric" and including such poets as Pablo Neruda, Diane Ackerman, May Swenson and Sherman Alexie, and covering everything from the body as a whole to the penis, the hands, or vagina in particular. Brief biographies of the contributors conclude the volume.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-This well-organized anthology, casting a net to include William Shakespeare and Shel Silverstein as well as Native American anthems, adapts its title, of course, from Walt Whitman's poem. Yet it goes further than "singing the body electric." It embraces and tries to understand the body "eclectic," the parts and pieces so often forgotten, overlooked, or, embarrassingly, misunderstood. Readers encounter Gary Soto's brilliant recollections of his youth, his Mexican brownness and black hair. Paul Laurence Dunbar examines our faces, or rather the masks that we all wear. Shel Silverstein, in his inimitable way, discusses the "unscratchable itch," while Pablo Neruda discourses on semen. Pimples are seen as "unchoreographed gibberish," and the perils and joys of blood, tears, tattoos, skin, and even vaginas are laid bare. Addressing an interesting and challenging topic, this title succeeds in exposing human flaws and triumphs-opening teens' eyes to their physical being, the one they see every day but rarely really see.
Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805069356
• ISBN-13: 978-0805069358
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,668,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Simply Great for Teens/Youth, December 11, 2006

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Dream Queen "Inspired One" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Body Eclectic: An Anthology of Poems (Hardcover)

This book is a great read for youths who are just getting interested in poetry and/or learning about the physical or emotional aspects of life. Although I'm not really in the target age bracket for this book, I did read it and I really enjoyed it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry at its Finest, May 30, 2002

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Body Eclectic: An Anthology of Poems (Hardcover)

Finally, an anthology which addresses the human body, soul and universal experiences. Ms. Vecchione shows an astute eye when it comes to picking poetry and prose that is both remarkable and accessible. You don't have be a lit major to enjoy this book. While well known poets (i.e. Whitman, Woolf and Lewis Carroll) are represented here, lesser known contemporary writers are also given equal space.