Customer Reviews

Girl Coming in for a Landing

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Not since Sandra Cisneros's House on Mango Street have I admired a book of such poetic power as girl coming in for a landing. Unlike Cisneros though, April Halprin Wayland chooses to use poetry as a form rather than poetic short stories to forward her character's travails about the year in the life of a teenage girl. The setting for the book is in and around Los Angeles where the author discusses kissing games, falling in love, the humiliations that is adolescence, and (of course) triumphing in the end. Any time poetry zings across my desk that is so lyrical, fun, beautifully illustrated (by Elaine Clayton) and enchanting as girl coming in for a landing, the I have to let you know about it.

I bought this to read aloud to my class because it was suggested at a conference. Unfortunately I was sadly disappointed when I first opened it up. It just wanders through adolescence in a way that sounds like any ordinary girl. It doesn't make poetry more welcome to girls or to anyone. I haven't bothered to read any of the poems to the class. I just added it to the shelf since I'd spent the $ on it.

I thought that this book was crazy good. I'm a huge fan of poetry and love books that incorparate (sp?) it into their stories. Besides the story were awesome illustrations to add to the story.

If you likes Girl Coming In For A Landing or like other stories written in poerty. Check out:

*Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy and What My mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
*The Taking of Room 114 and Split Image by Mel Glenn
*After the Death of Anna Gonzalos by Terri Fields

In so few words, Wayland pegs the feelings and experiences of a teenage girl experiencing a crush, heartbreak, success, deflation, and more. It's inspiring and beautiful writing with fascinating illustrations. This is the kind of diary I wish I'd kept. It's the kind of diary I hope my niece (who's getting this as a gift) will keep.

Book has guidelines at the end for keeping your own journal--they're helpful.

This book is truly an insight into a young girl's heart. It fit the ying of my school life's yang. All the pain and pleasure I felt as a teen is mirrored by this girl's point of view. I was charmed. I would have like to have like to dated her myself.
Maybe I did date people like her, I just never knew what was going one behind the scenes.

This book made me feel 13 all over again. And it was a long time ago, so that's saying something! Cleverly done, funny, touching. It's a quick read, yet satisfying. Highly recommended.

April Wayland's book portraying the emotional struggles of a teenage girl, Girl Coming in for a Landing, is a poetic account of a year in high school. This first person narrative is the story of life as seen through a girl growing up in Southern California.

The poems are simple but effective in capturing the many feelings every girl experiences while growing up. From getting her period to crushes on boys to bad days in science class to fights with siblings, there is a poem for every traumatic (or dramatic) occurrence in the life of a young woman. Girl Coming in for a Landing expresses beautifully the emotional roller coaster of teenhood.

Black and white art by Elaine Clayton accompanies the poetry. The art uses many mediums: from drawing to photos to collage. Clayton's art is the perfect companion to the drama of teenage life.

I was very charmed by the honesty and straightforwardness of this book of poetry. Any teenage girl could identify with this book. The after words encourage poetry writing as a way to sort through mixed emotions, something every teenager could use help with.

Positive, uncanny, refreshing and I CAN [DO IT], are the first words
that jump to mind as I read Ms. Wayland's poems, private journal
entries, novel --This book fits each category.

I now have a new view of my own pre-teen and teenage years, long
forgotten first events blurred into mostly murky lump came alive.

PLUS-- my teenage son feels he read the new code book on girls.

This book is for daughters, mothers, fathers and sons-- an intimate
'experience' to share.