Girl Coming in for a Landing: A Novel in Poems

I thought that this book was crazy good. I'm a huge fan of poetry and love books that incorparate (sp?) it into their stories. Besides the story were awesome illustrations to add to the story.If you likes Girl Coming In For A Landing or like other stories written in poerty. Check out:*Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy and What My mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones*The Taking of Room 114 and Split Image by Mel Glenn*After the Death of Anna Gonzalos by Terri Fields

Not since Sandra Cisneros's House on Mango Street have I admired a book of such poetic power as girl coming in for a landing. Unlike Cisneros though, April Halprin Wayland chooses to use poetry as a form rather than poetic short stories to forward her character's travails about the year in the life of a teenage girl. The setting for the book is in and around Los Angeles where the author discusses kissing games, falling in love, the humiliations that is adolescence, and (of course) triumphing in the end. Any time poetry zings across my desk that is so lyrical, fun, beautifully illustrated (by Elaine Clayton) and enchanting as girl coming in for a landing, the I have to let you know about it.

In so few words, Wayland pegs the feelings and experiences of a teenage girl experiencing a crush, heartbreak, success, deflation, and more. It's inspiring and beautiful writing with fascinating illustrations. This is the kind of diary I wish I'd kept. It's the kind of diary I hope my niece (who's getting this as a gift) will keep. Book has guidelines at the end for keeping your own journal--they're helpful.

This book is truly an insight into a young girl's heart. It fit the ying of my school life's yang. All the pain and pleasure I felt as a teen is mirrored by this girl's point of view. I was charmed. I would have like to have like to dated her myself. Maybe I did date people like her, I just never knew what was going one behind the scenes.

Positive, uncanny, refreshing and I CAN [DO IT], are the first wordsthat jump to mind as I read Ms. Wayland's poems, private journalentries, novel --This book fits each category.I now have a new view of my own pre-teen and teenage years, longforgotten first events blurred into mostly murky lump came alive.PLUS-- my teenage son feels he read the new code book on girls.This book is for daughters, mothers, fathers and sons-- an intimate'experience' to share.