From Publishers Weekly
With haunting lines such as "Divorce can slaughter you" and "A girl without her father is incomplete," nearly 200 children mostly teens, though a few are as young as 10 years old whose parents are divorced have allowed editor Tom Worthen to collect their blunt, eloquent (and terribly sad poems) in Broken Hearts... Healing: Young Poets Speak Out on Divorce. Worthen, a communications professor who has tried to be the "best divorced dad I could be," is determined to bring children and parents together to talk openly about complex and painful issues. (He's even written two forewords, one for parents and one for children.) The publisher has announced a 15,000 first printing and a $50,000 budget to promote this poignant, provocative book.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up-Children of divorced parents will recognize the emotions and experiences expressed in this collection of poems written by young people between the ages of 9 and 18 who have experienced the pain of divorce. Some 200 poems address the initial shock of learning of their parents' separation, feelings of abandonment, the pain of change, frustration and anger, stepfamilies, and finally acceptance and growth through the sadness. The poets speak from the heart and their poems are sophisticated, reflecting mature emotions. Many of them emphasize age; they realize that they are too young to have these complex worries and fears. Others address guilt; some contributors realize that divorce is their parents' issue, but, sadly, still blame themselves. The poems compare divorce to battle, war, defeat, and wounds that never heal. While the bulk of them reflects sadness and anger, others celebrate blended families; kind stepfathers; and new, peaceful lives. The strength of this book lies in the charged words of youth; this is not a book about divorce written by an adult for children. Rather, it is by their peers, and readers who are going through divorce will know that they are not alone in their feelings and emotions. Black-and-white illustrations by a third-grade illustrator open each chapter and separate forewords for parents and children address the needs of youth.
Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
