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rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
The poems’ shapes and rhythms bring to life the history (and the heart) of the blues.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the bluesy rhythm of these poems. I was reading them in my head & I appreciated them, but it all changed when I started reading them aloud. I took them with me on the treadmill. I was running rather slowly, but I had to run for 1/2 an hour so I decided to start reading them aloud. These poems definitely improve when read aloud or with a beat. I could see the poems, but I could feel them too. Some that i loved were: The Kerosene Lamp is Smoking up the Night Room, Climbing to the Top of the Hill, On the Porch on that Black Street, At the Moment the Spotlight Hits Him, and Always.
The music of his poetry washed over me & it was an unforgettable experience with my running.
The music of his poetry washed over me & it was an unforgettable experience with my running.
choosejoytoday's review against another edition
4.0
Wished I had read this with blues playing in the background. I liked the progression of the poems through African American history.
jshettel's review against another edition
3.0
My appreciation for this book grew after reading the reviews here on GR. I didn't understand what Adoff was doing, but now I do thanks to all the readers who understand poetry better than I do!!
nerfherder86's review against another edition
3.0
Celebrates Blues music in "shaped speech" poems, from sharecropping to slavery to the Mississippi River. Great illustrations to go along with Arnold's finger-snapping poems.
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
m0rganh's review against another edition
5.0
Simply beautiful. If I could have dinner with any couple it would be Arnold Adoff and the late, great Virginia Hamilton. And then I would make them read their work to me over coffee and dessert.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
I struggle so much with poetry. I can tell when something is exceptional but I always feel like I don't understand it well enough to describe it. Adoff does an amazing job with the prose of this book and the illustrations are well placed and enhance the text. A nice addition to a poetry collection.
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