Customer Reviews

I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American Poetry

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Not only does this book give you a variety of African-American poets,it also supplies you with a brief background of each author. This gives you some of the ingredients it took to make each poem. There are thirty-six poems total. Of the twenty-five poets, Clinton,(author), selects more than one piece from some of them. For those who only know of a few poets, this book allows you to learn about others.
The illustrator (Stephen Alcorn)Uses lots of color to express the feelings of the poem. These are the type of pictures that you must look at with a keen eye. A lot of symbolism is used in his drawings. You can get a general idea of the poem by looking at the pictures. To check this book out would be an injustice. this is a must buy book. Everyones library should consist of this poetic history.

This volume presents the truth of the African-American experience. If you are an educator, throw away the history books that portray one-dimensional Euro-Centric apologetics of America's second greatest national shame. So also, set aside the equally one sided views of the greed-poisoned youth of what has informed everything "cool" in American culture. Pick up this book that shows the articulate rage of justice denied. The artwork alone would be worth the price of purchase as it would tell the tale as well. But the poems and mini-bios present an awesome invitation to research a culture rich in literacy and experience. This book should be in every elementary school library in America and on the shelf of every home of everyone that dares to call themselves "American" (Afro or otherwise)

This is an excellent poetry book with a diverse group of African American poets. The artwork also inspires discussion. I use this book as part of my homeschooling lessons on poetry. Many thought provoking poems to enjoy and ponder.