Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls (Betsy Franco Young Adult) [Paperback]

Betsy Franco (Editor), Nina Nickles (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Betsy Franco Young Adult | Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Teenage girls tell their own stories—in compelling poetry and prose paired with 42 striking black-and-white photographs.

The voices in this collection have so much to question, so much to grieve. They have so much to celebrate, so much to rage against. They’re ready to speak up and begin the conversation — with you and with the world. More than thirty uncensored poems are accompanied by Nina Nickles’s masterful photographs, which sensitively capture the moods and essence of adolescence. Here, painted in the words of teenage girls, is a portrait of their dreams and desires - a record of hope, disillusionment, anger, joy, sadness, and most of all, strength.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls, editor Betsy Franco gathers more than 30 poems by adolescents into a poignant collection of prose and poetry. Black-and-white photographs by Nina Nickles accompany each work, and the pairings offer glimpses into the writers' raw anger, budding sexuality and search for identity.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-In allowing the words of teens from across the nation to shine through, without polishing or pushing, Franco has succeeded in compiling one of the brightest collections out there today. In a mixture of prose and poetry, the young women express their fears, dreams, relationships, and angst. There are some poetic turns of phrases here ("we put on our chatter/like red lipstick/with the same amount/of greasy enthusiasm") and some strong language. And while the poems are triumphant in their realism, the book is elevated by the inclusion of gritty, unposed black-and-white photographs. These pictures, not taken to illustrate the poems, do so in an exemplary fashion. Like snapshots from personal photo albums, the images of a multicultural array of "everygirls" are harmonious complements to this outstanding collection. A fine companion to You Hear Me?: Poems and Writing by Teenage Boys (Candlewick, 2000).-Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763610356
• ISBN-13: 978-0763610357
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.4 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #440,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Splendid, January 24, 2006

By 

Reginald Timpson (Dayton, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls (Turtleback)

This is some of the best poetry and prose I have ever read by any young person or adult. As a poet I am not easily impressed, but this was some of the best poetry I have ever read. I was equally impressed by the photographs as well. I like the fact that the photographer intentionally did not try to fit the photos with the writings. The rawness of the book was what made it so fascinating. I picked the pick up intending to teach some of the young girls I work with in my afterschool program, but these girls were certainly on another level with their writing. I am now looking forward to reading the male companion. Great Work!!!

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things I Have To Tell You Comments, February 26, 2003

By 

Margie Mae Sanders (Well, N.Y.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls (Betsy Franco Young Adult) (Paperback)

The book Things I Have To Tell You was an exciting book for me. Its about a girls lives today and how they deal with them. They expressed themselves and showed there view points and life with the world by writing poetry. The poems were different than any other poetry book. They had live stories and told truth, they did not hold back on any information. These girls i think have wrote outstanding poems and i hope they keep doing so and making more books like this one.
I loved this book. I thought it inspired me and made me think a lot. I could not put the book down. I read the whole thing i even took it to lunch one day in school just to finish it. The poems were like my own life it made sence because they are everyday things that happen. Like teenages get pressured with and deal with. Love, Hate, Beauty, Friends,and Family all take place in this book and take place in an everyday lifestyle. Well at least mine and my friends lives. Im so glad i read this book because it has helped me with my own life.
I reconmend this book to teenagers mostly! Girls i think would be a lot more interested in this book but if guys want to know about girls and find problems maybe they have then they should read it too. I suggest every teenager reads this outstanding book. So check into this book i promise you, you will not regret reading it. Thanks for reading this.

- Margie Mae Sanders

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tool!, July 13, 2007

By 

S. Kay Murphy "Heretic" (Mt. Baldy, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls (Betsy Franco Young Adult) (Paperback)

Fridays are poetry days in my classroom. Every few weeks, I pull out this book, or You Hear Me?, and read a poem or two. Time and again, students will approach me after class and ask to borrow the book. These poems say to kids what Whitman, Frost (sorry--you know I love you, Robert) and Tennyson just can't. Kids must speak to kids. These books assure tentative nascent poets that they can do it, too, and they deliver a strong peer message to kids who are struggling. Betsy Franco has done a great thing here.