Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls

Fridays are poetry days in my classroom. Every few weeks, I pull out this book, or You Hear Me?, and read a poem or two. Time and again, students will approach me after class and ask to borrow the book. These poems say to kids what Whitman, Frost (sorry--you know I love you, Robert) and Tennyson just can't. Kids must speak to kids. These books assure tentative nascent poets that they can do it, too, and they deliver a strong peer message to kids who are struggling. Betsy Franco has done a great thing here.

This is some of the best poetry and prose I have ever read by any young person or adult. As a poet I am not easily impressed, but this was some of the best poetry I have ever read. I was equally impressed by the photographs as well. I like the fact that the photographer intentionally did not try to fit the photos with the writings. The rawness of the book was what made it so fascinating. I picked the pick up intending to teach some of the young girls I work with in my afterschool program, but these girls were certainly on another level with their writing. I am now looking forward to reading the male companion. Great Work!!!

The book Things I Have To Tell You was an exciting book for me. Its about a girls lives today and how they deal with them. They expressed themselves and showed there view points and life with the world by writing poetry. The poems were different than any other poetry book. They had live stories and told truth, they did not hold back on any information. These girls i think have wrote outstanding poems and i hope they keep doing so and making more books like this one. I loved this book. I thought it inspired me and made me think a lot. I could not put the book down. I read the whole thing i even took it to lunch one day in school just to finish it. The poems were like my own life it made sence because they are everyday things that happen. Like teenages get pressured with and deal with. Love, Hate, Beauty, Friends,and Family all take place in this book and take place in an everyday lifestyle. Well at least mine and my friends lives. Im so glad i read this book because it has helped me with my own life. I reconmend this book to teenagers mostly! Girls i think would be a lot more interested in this book but if guys want to know about girls and find problems maybe they have then they should read it too. I suggest every teenager reads this outstanding book. So check into this book i promise you, you will not regret reading it. Thanks for reading this. - Margie Mae Sanders