Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teenagers

Book Overview

"The teen poets in this lively anthology knock greeting-card clich s even as they celebrate their romance and their passion...From the pain of breakup and denial to affection and desire, the feelings in these poems will ring true to gay and straight teens alike." -- Booklist

"But what I'll really mean is
are you ready to dive in?
This is not falling,
this is landing."

-- From "Gift" by Portia Carryer, age 16

The poets are straight, gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender. They live next door or across an ocean; they are innocent or experienced; their lyric explorations range from new love to stale love, obsession to ennui, ecstasy to heartbreak, and every nuance in between. Whether the romantic escapades described are touching, comical, or tragic, whether the feelings expressed are tender and sweet or brutal and biting, readers will find the love these young poets openly share to be exquisitely, excruciatingly, endlessly fascinating. Here is a collection to turn to again and again, because life and love keep on changing.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763634379
• ISBN13: 9780763634377
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Many voices, original writing

What I loved most about this collection is that it speaks directly to teenagers of all sexual orientations (LGTB and straight). Well, I have to confess that I also loved it because my son has two poems in it, written at the age of 17. Even the youngest writers here have fresh voices. Betsy Franco publishes other volumes for teenagers. This is my first encounter with her, and as a former high school teacher (who taught English, among other things), I heartily recommend her small but dense volume.

Amazing Writing!

As a fifteen year old girl, I am the same age or around the same age as many of the writers featured in this book. This book is truly amazing. I have read it from cover to cover more than three times since I received it for Christmas. Everyone who is or has ever been a teenager can relate to something in this book. There are loves poems from teens of all sexualities and genders. Some are more explicit, some are sweet. Some are short, some are elaborate. All of them are beautiful. These poems have inspired me to write more and I recommend this book very highly.