When We Were Countries: Poems and Stories by Outstanding High School Writers - Hardcover

" . . . any old futzers who assume that teen-agers nowadays spend all their time at video games or texting away on their cell phones will suddenly wise up and find reason to rejoice.  To anyone over the age of (maybe) ten, these stories and poems will ring true. To any young writer:  as you toil at your computer screen or paper, this book will assure you that you are not alone.  Teachers: you'll be heartened and encouraged by what this rich gathering proves possible.  Everybody: grab this book, if you know what's good for you.  Devour it, digest it, and be regaled."--X.J. KENNEDY

Grade 9 Up This is the fourth collection of high school writing published by Hanging Loose, a literary magazine long known for showcasing teens alongside adult writers. This diverse anthology consists of both poetry and prose, masterfully written by 73 young adults. From Jessica Berenblum's While Jake Sleeps, an expressive sketch of one intimate scene, to P. Alexandria Jones's metaphoric Unrequited Fajita, the works are of the highest caliber. An introduction by poet X. J. Kennedy and afterwords by three poets/teachers and an accomplished former Hanging Loose teen poet bookend the collection. They all speak about teens, but mostly about the process of teaching creative writing to young adults. This choice of audience, coupled with the book's self-published look, makes the collection ripe for the picking by educators, but less appealing to teens themselves. For a collection of young writing with more shelf appeal, but equal quality, try Naomi Shihab Nye's Time You Let Me In: 25 Poets Under 25 (HarperCollins, 2010). Otherwise, share When We Were Countries with the next teacher who wants a model of excellent teen writing for the classroom. Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT
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