I Wouldn't Thank You for a Valentine: Poems For Young Feminists [Paperback]

Carol Ann Duffy (Editor), Trisha Rafferty (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

With readable, richly varied contributions from women poets both famous and unknown, both young and old, both English-speaking and in-translation, I Wouldn't Thank You for a Valentine: Poems for Young Feminists is a timely, unique, and exceptionally inclusive anthology. Edited by Carol Ann Duffy, herself a British feminist poet of much renown, this collection of insights and truths will appeal equally to poetry buffs and poetry novices, be they students or general readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-Rife with emotion, this brief volume (about 90 poems) explores women's issues of race, status, identity, and equality. Sex, religion, politics, and other volatile issues are present, but other offerings reflect on celebrating a birthday, growing up, challenging authority, and the psychology of shopping. Some powerful works emanate here: Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" echoes the pride of womanhood in rhythmic, moving lines; Nikki Giovanni and Alice Walker also make strong showings. Cynthia MacDonald's gem, "Accomplishments," tells of a daughter's constant struggle to please her mother, only to have her attempts end in disinterest, unappreciation, and needless tragedy. The title poem by Liz Lochhead, written as a rap lyric, provides an independent and rather opposing view of the charmed holiday. Simplistic pen-and-ink drawings break up the collection, but do little else. The experiences chronicled by multicultural poets are universally female, but perhaps understood best by older readers. There is complexity here, and some of the poems may require added maturity to comprehend fully the poets' intent. As a stand-alone read, the collection may be limiting not only in its feminist slant, but also because of the complexity of the selections. Women's studies students, however, may find this a helpful companion to other collections of feminist poetry or essays.
Sharon Korbeck, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-12. The condescending "young" of the subtitle is misleading: these are witty, sophisticated, nonmessagey poems. They are angry, funny, tender, dramatic, full of surprise and conflict and self-mockery. Candid about failure and betrayal, they play with language, role, and stereotype. Even the title poem half questions itself, and "Lullaby" is by a child for her mother. Originally published in England, the anthology draws on poets from many cultures and includes well-known poets, such as Nikki Giovanni, Sharon Olds, and Mary Oliver, as well as several new voices. A heartbreaking poem translated from the Japanese is about women working on the conveyor belt at a fish cannery, as trapped and processed as the creatures they seal into cans. Many of the voices are celebratory, assertive without being anti-male (in one poem, a girl envies the way boys play, "no back-biting, hair-pulling / just out-front"); they are lyrical about love, candid about pressures from overbearing parents and about the necessary break with home ("My room is too small for me"). These poems open up the range of love and family. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (November 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805055452
• ISBN-13: 978-0805055450
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #739,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and deep!, May 8, 2009

By 

Joyce Akesson "www.joyceakesson.com" (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Wouldn't Thank You for a Valentine: Poems For Young Feminists (Paperback)

In this collection of about 90 poems, Duffy explores many women issues such as race, status, sex, religion, politics, identity, equality. growing up, challenging authority, etc. The anthology includes well-known poets, such as Nikki Giovanni, Sharon Olds, and Mary Oliver, as well as several new voices.

These verses from the poem "Valentine" make one think:

"Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.

It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.

It promises light

like the careful undressing of love.

Here.

It will blind you with tears

like a lover.

It will make your reflection

a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.

Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,

possessive and faithful

as we are,

for as long as we are.

Take it.

Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,

if you like.

Lethal.

Its scent will cling to your fingers,

cling to your knife."

Joyce Akesson, author of Love's Thrilling Dimensions

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great peoms for teens, April 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Wouldn't Thank You for a Valentine: Poems For Young Feminists (Paperback)

The peoms were very moving to those who understand peoms very well. for the self confidence people the poem "Phenomenal Woman" is a great poem. others like "Anno Wrek Sick" and "Don't Ever slap me again, are just some of my favorites. I would reccomend this book to girls 11 and up

4.0 out of 5 stars Seems Great for Sparking Teen Dialogue, February 20, 2010

By 

K. Vestal (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Wouldn't Thank You for a Valentine: Poems For Young Feminists (Paperback)

Duffy's collection of poetry is a varied one, with poems ranging from light and whimsical to thought-provoking or painful. Apparently meant for teenage girls, although many of the poems are adult in complexity, it seems a good collection from which a teacher could spark teen dialgue on a variety of important issues. Themes include race, gender, sex, ethnicity, adolescence, travel, animal rights, handicaps, et.al., not overtly didactic in nature. The poems are written in simple language, but the depth of meaning and the wisdom of experience call for some adult guidance in interpretation for some poems (and lend them themselves to being equally enjoyed by older "girls").

A few standouts: Satyamurti's "Disabled Swimmer's Night," Rawnsley's "Good Girls," Fanthorpe's "Women Laughing," and Duffy's "Lovesick."

Recommended for teachers of teens, as poetry teens will enjoy, or as discussion starters on many important issues. Also enjoyable to women of all ages who enjoy women's poetry.