Poetry by Young Adult Writers

Franco, B. ed. (2001).  Things I have to tell you:  Poems and writing by teenage girls.  Ill. N. Nickles.  Cambridge, MA:  Candlewick Press.  ISBN 0-7636-1035-6.

Powerful images lay ready to invade the senses in Betsy Franco’s collection of writing by teenage girls ages 14-19.  In Betsy Franco’s preface, she states that in this collection of writing, “you will find the hope, disillusionment, anger, joy, sadness, and most of all, the strength of young women today” (p. xi). 

The last poem in the book express the joy and optimism found in many of the young writers:

            I know I am strong

               both in my convictions and in myself.

            I know I am beautiful

               both inside and out.

            I know I am powerful

               and growing more so.

            I know I will do just fine.

            Laura Veuve, age 15

However many more of the poems and essays express the difficulty of becoming a young woman now.  As an adult reader – a teacher, as well as a mother of two daughters who have struggled to grow up in a world where they were not always nurtured, I found myself saddened and frightened by some of the experiences these girls shared.  Experiences with boys, drugs, suicide attempts, body image, and friendships gone awry. 

Betsy Franco’s desire was that girls who had lived through many of the difficulties growing up could share  with others their struggles, their successes, their frustrations, and their joys so that they could help each other cope. The photos by Nina Nickles do a beautiful job of reflecting the everyday lives of teenage girls.  

The poems in this book may not be choices I would make in read-alouds to my classes, but they are a valuable resource for students who are growing up in a time and a place where it can be hard becoming a woman.  The writings will hopefully empower young women to become who they know they can become.

Franco has a matching book for boys You Hear Me?  Poems and Writing by Teenage Boys that includes

70 writings by 50 young men. 

Teachers and media specialists may want to be prepared to defend these choices being on their library shelves.  The topics and the language are raw and uncensored.  The potential exists for parental challenge.  However, this is how teens are feeling and the writings reflect their concerns.  I believe that teens deserve access to the thoughts of those who are like they are.  Together, young men and women can help each other navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence.