Poetry for Young People: Robert Browning - Hardcover

NY, NY/Spector: New Milford, CT.

Gr 7 Up-To say, as Gillooly does in her succinct introduction, that "Robert Browning is one of the most beloved English poets-and one of the most difficult to read" is an understatement. She does a remarkable job, however, of selecting the most accessible poems. The opening piece, lines from "Pippa Passes," is wisely chosen for its clarity and renown: "God's in his heaven-/All's right with the world!" It is followed by excerpts from "The Pied Piper of Hamelin: A Child's Story," which has an image-rich, familiar story line. Most of the remaining poems may be challenging to independent readers, given their obscure references and 19th-century English, but Gillooly's clear introductions to each one give valuable assistance in understanding them. For example, she urges readers to picture Browning at 22, when he traveled as a diplomatic secretary to Russia, "galloping from city to city in a horse-drawn carriage. The rapid, constant movement of the horses sank deeply into his memory and imagination," as they can see in "Through the Metidja to Abd-el-Kadr." The presentation of each poem includes explanations of words and references that might be unfamiliar today. Throughout, Spector's spectacular, energy-filled paintings further illuminate the meanings of the poetry, providing historical details and defining settings visually. This is a fine introduction to the poetry of Browning, and in the hands of an astute teacher or parent, it can greatly increase an older student's appreciation for classical literature.

Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

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