Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Brod Bagert (Editor), Carolynn Cobleigh (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0806908203 | ISBN-13: 978-0806908205 | Publication Date: June 30, 1995 | Edition: 1st

"Gr. 5 Up...spacious format; a wide variety of poems; and colorful, interpretive illustrations...."--SLJ. "The format is admirable: a handsome sampler of poems, with a short introductory essay, unfamiliar words briefly defined in footnotes, and a few prefatory sentences for each poem to establish context and aid interpretation. 13 of Poe's more accessible poems appear here, including The Raven,' The Bells,' Eldorado,' and Annabel Lee.'...concludes with passages from short stories that highlight Poe's mastery of prose....Cobleigh provides atmospheric art: an arresting picture of The Raven,' a cadaverous ghoul in The Bells,' and a depiction of the narrator of The Tell-Tale Heart' as a deranged Wee Willy Winky."--Kirkus Reviews. ". . . creepy, unnerving, chilling, and fascinating. . ."--Buzz Weekly. 48 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Following its treatment of Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, Sterling adds two more titles on American masters to the Poetry for Young People series: Carl Sandburg, edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin, illustrated by Steven Arcella, and Edgar Allan Poe, edited by Brod Bagert, illustrated by Carolynn Cobleigh. Each poem is accompanied by definitions of difficult words ($14.95 each, 48p, ages 7-up ISBN 0-8069-0818-1; -0820-3 May).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up?While both volumes offer a spacious format; a wide variety of poems; and colorful, interpretive illustrations, Sandburg is by far the stronger of the two. Poe suffers from the editor's explanations of what each poem means and from the inclusion of 8 prose passages placed in verse form, along with the 13 legitimate poems. Bagert's commentaries dampen rather than spark the imagination, and the doctored prose creates confusion between Poe's poems and tales. The realistic paintings are of uneven quality; the small vignettes are more effective than the full-page renderings. The 33 poems in Sandburg vary in length and theme, but most are the staples of anthologies, e.g., "Fog," "Arithmetic," and "We Must Be Polite." The surrealistic illustrations, which appear to be rendered in pastels, are appealing; the soft edges and warm tones work well with Sandburg's imagery. Both books include a biographical sketch of the poet, footnotes providing definitions of difficult words, and a title index.?Pat Katka, San Diego Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; 1st edition (June 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806908203
• ISBN-13: 978-0806908205
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, October 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe (Hardcover)

this is a good collection for younger readers who have not been intoduced to poe- there are side notes that define the out-of-date words and a summary at the beginning of each story excert/poem. There are illustrations for each piece of work as well that help younger persons visualize as well.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Overview of an American Writer, September 29, 2003

By 

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "What should ... (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Biography: The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The legend of Edgar Alan Poe is far from the reality, as we learn in A & E's Biography series documentary of his life. The much misunderstood author is given a fair look in this 50 minute overview. They bring us the sad, broken Poe, stumbling through lectures and readings, but they also show us a good man who loved literature and wanted to succeed as a writer.

Any student of Poe has been inundated with macabre, morbid tales of involving dead women, drug abuse and affairs. What is disregarded by early biographers are the facts between the tales. He crafted stories with careful excellence, depending on technique, and not the lack of sobriety. He drew from his personal life, but also fabricated complex fantasies that became the model for Stephen King, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and others. His poetry caught the attention of European greats like Charles Baudelaire and Mihaly Babits, who, in turn, translated Poe's works for the world.

We see where Poe lived an, and hear not only from his literary works, but his letters and the writings of those who knew him. We are able to attain a sense that Poe was not a monster only brooding in his woes, but a family man who longed to remain with Virginia, who lived with, as he wrote in "Annabel Lee," "no other thought than to love and be loved by me."

The affect of the tragedies which surrounded him are explored, from his poor relationship with his adoptive father to the many deaths of loved ones, lost to tuberculosis. Many men would have been enfeebled to write, but Poe took his sadness and expressed it as literary art.

I fully recommend "Biography - Edgar Allan Poe." His life has the legendary elements of scandal and addiction, but to know Poe better, it is important to learn beyond the cliches like "master of the macabre." This video does that.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS GREAT ADDITION TO THIS SERIES WITH YOUR KIDS. IT IS GREAT!, November 5, 2006

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe (Hardcover)

I cannot think of a better way to introduce the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe than this small volume. The selection is excellent and of interest you the young reader. The commentary is quite relevant as are the pictures which accompany it. I find that often now, our young people go all the way through the early grades in school and many of them have never heard of Poe, much less read his poetry. This was the sort of stuff my generation and the generation before it grew up on and cut our teeth on. I do not feel I am any worse for the wear. I am fearful that we are bringing up an entire generation (rightfully or wrong, although I feel it is the later) of young folks who will have no appreciation to this great art form and will miss a lot. This book helps. This entire series helps, as a matter of fact and I certainly recommend you add this one and the others to your library. Actually, it is rather fun reading these with the young folk and then talking about them. Not only do you get to enjoy the work your self and perhaps bring back some great memories, but you have the opportunity to interact with your child or student. It is actually rather surprising what some of the kids come up with. I read these to my grandchildren and to the kids in my classes at school. For the most part, when I really get to discussing the work with them, they enjoy it. Recommend this one highly.