Edver isn't happy about being shipped off to Cuba to visit the father he barely knows. Told through Nisha's letters to her mother, The Night Diary is a heartfelt story of one girl's search for home, for her own identity.and for a hopeful future.įrom award-winning author Margarita Engle comes a lively middle grade novel in verse that tells the story of a Cuban-American boy who visits his family's village in Cuba for the first time-and meets a sister he didn't know he had. But even if her country has been ripped apart, Nisha still believes in the possibility of putting herself back together. The journey is long, difficult, and dangerous, and after losing her mother as a baby, Nisha can't imagine losing her homeland, too.

When Papa decides it's too dangerous to stay in what is now Pakistan, Nisha and her family become refugees and embark first by train but later on foot to reach her new home. Half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old Nisha doesn't know where she belongs, or what her country is anymore. The divide has created much tension between Hindus and Muslims, and hundreds of thousands are killed crossing borders. Then came the stunning picture poetry books that showcase Walter's poetry alongside the powerful art created by his son, Christopher Myers, especially Harlem, Jazz, and We Are America.In the vein ofInside Out and Back Again and The War That Saved My Life comes a poignant, personal, and hopeful tale of India's partition, and of one girl's journey to find a new home in a divided country It's 1947, and India, newly independent of British rule, has been separated into two countries- Pakistan and India. (Do NOT miss the audiobook adaptation of this book, but more on that later!) Then, Here in Harlem built on this photo-poem format to create a multi-voice poetry collection- perfect for YA. More followed with Glorious Angels and Angel to Angel, a beautiful trilogy. Just look at these many, wonderful examples.Īlthough much of Walter's work is poetic and rhythmic, I believe his poetry first emerged in Brown Angels which paired his words with his collection of antique photographs of children. Perhaps because of his own struggle with spoken speech, his pacing in his poetry is so thoughtful and meaningful. His deep, resonant voice sticks with you. Hearing a poet read his/her own work aloud is the ultimate treat and Walter's reading was such a perfect example. I was fortunate enough to feature him in my 'Poetry Round Up' at the annual conference of the Texas Library Association in 2005. His mastery of every genre was amazing and I would like to take a moment to highlight his POETRY for young people, in particular.

As you've probably heard, the great Walter Dean Myers passed away recently and his impressive and significant body of work has been recognized far and wide- as it should be.

Harlem by walter dean myers read aloud