How I Discovered Poetry

How I Discovered Poetry is Marilyn Nelson's memoir in verse, chronicling her experiences growing up as a Black girl in the 1950s during her family's moves across America. Each poem represents a different moment from ages 4-14 as she travels with her military father, schoolteacher mother, and sister. The collection follows Nelson's evolution as a young poet finding her voice against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and Cold War America. Nelson's nomadic childhood takes her through multiple states and Air Force bases, exposing her to different communities and perspectives. Through fifty unrhymed sonnets, Nelson documents her growing awareness of race, identity, and social change in mid-century America. The book combines personal family stories with broader historical events of the era. The memoir explores themes of self-discovery, belonging, and the power of words to shape understanding. Nelson's work illustrates how poetry can serve as both a lens for viewing history and a tool for processing complex realities.

Readers appreciate Nelson's honest portrayal of growing up as a Black girl in 1950s America, with many noting the accessibility of the poems despite their complex themes. The bite-sized poems and chronological structure make it engaging for both young readers and adults. Specific praise focuses on Nelson's ability to weave historical events into personal stories, with multiple reviews highlighting poems about the Civil Rights Movement. One reader noted "she captures both innocence and awakening consciousness." Common criticisms include wanting more depth and detail in certain poems, and some readers found the format too sparse. Several reviewers mentioned difficulty connecting with the semi-autobiographical narrative style. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (45+ reviews) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (50+ ratings) Professional review sites like Kirkus and School Library Journal gave positive reviews, particularly noting its value for middle-grade readers exploring American history through poetry.

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Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai A story in verse follows a young Vietnamese refugee's journey to America and her adaptation to a new life during the fall of Saigon.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia Three African American sisters travel to Oakland in 1968 to meet their estranged mother and become involved in the Black Panther movement.

📚 Marilyn Nelson wrote this memoir-in-verse as a series of 50 unrhymed sonnets, each representing one moment from her childhood in the 1950s as she grew up in military bases across America. ✈️ The author's father was one of the first African American career officers in the Air Force, and her experiences as a "military brat" moving from base to base deeply influenced her perspective on civil rights and American culture. 📝 The book's title comes from a pivotal moment when young Marilyn's white teacher had her recite a racist poem in front of the class, an experience that paradoxically helped her discover her own poetic voice. 🏆 Marilyn Nelson has served as the Poet Laureate of Connecticut and has received multiple National Book Award nominations throughout her career. 🌟 The book earned several prestigious honors, including being named a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and receiving the Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for excellence in children's nonfiction literature.