100 Great Poems for Boys

Edited by Leslie Pockell
Grand Central Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9780446563826
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (5/11)

Historically, more girls have chosen to read poetry than boys. Given the fact that today’s boy readers favorite subject matter is sports themed, it is no surprise that their interest in poetry still lags behind that of girls. But, boys do read poetry, particularly if it was part of their read aloud time with adults when they were very young, and, more recently, as a result of its internet proliferation on young reader websites devoted to poetry.  Many different types of poets and poetry for young readers have also helped sustain their interest in the art form. All of which might make one wonder about how much interest a boy today would have in exploring “100 Great Poems For Boys,” edited by Leslie Pockell.  Most observers would probably agree that like the art form itself, the answer is nebulous.

But for Mr. Pockell, the answer to whether classic poetry has appeal to present-day boys lies not in physical age, but rather in whether the reader, whatever age, has a boyhood state of mind. “You don’t have to be any special age to be a boy...even certain girls can qualify if they have the right attitude! I was a boy quite a few years ago, and actually, it seems to me that in many ways I still am” Poems are presented to the reader by themes such as Animals, Things to Think About and Just For Laughs. With the possible exception of the thematic grouping, Battlefields and Heroes, the diverse selection of poetry offered is not, in reality, tied to any particular audience. In his Introduction, Pockell writes, “I hope you enjoy reading these poems as much as I enjoyed putting them together in this book, whatever your age or gender…”

Leslie Pockell writes of the poems he included, “…this collection brings together some of the best ever written, memorized or read aloud…they will stay with you as inspiring or entertaining companions throughout your reading life.” I believe that most people who read “100 Great Poems for Boys,” including today’s boys, whatever their age, will agree.

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