Poetry books for teenagers abound, but there’s not that many that really hit home. The obvious author is Ellen Hopkins with her series of best selling concrete poetry (the arrangement of the words on the page are part of the message) Crank, Glass and Fallout, to name three.

If you’re looking for a book that you can give to teenagers that will start discussions, consider Reaching Out, by Alan H. Jordan. The unique thing about this book is that many of the poems in it were inspired by artwork that is displayed within it.  Other poems contain links to artwork that’s displayed in museums.

Like Ellen Hopkin’s work, Jordan’s poetry is brash at times. Unlike Hopkins, the entire book is not related to a single theme.  Instead, it uses photographs and artwork as a stepping stone to discuss issues that impact upon teenagers.

Semi-controversial subjects abound within it’s pages.

Here’s an example of a poem that’s written to an illustration by Daniel Donnelly entitled The Empress.

Changing Focus

My life:
Complicated
Complex
Celebratory
Creative

Data
People
Personnas
Colors
Stream through me.

Blue to green
Green to gold
Red to pink
Pink to pale white

Cycles fade
Dissolve
Destroy
Germinate.

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