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Poetry for Young People
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe, author, poet, literary critic and editor, was born in Boston, January 19, 1809. His parents, Elizabeth Arnold and David Poe, were both actors who separated shortly after his birth.
By the age of 2, Edgar was alone and semi-destitute with his siblings Henry and Rosalie – David remained an absent father and Elizabeth died tragically from tuberculosis, alone on a straw bed while her children looked on helplessly.
This uncertainty and instability were patterns that continued throughout Poe’s life, mimicked in his art. Catastrophe, insanity, excess, dereliction and depression would haunt him whilst informing the psychological horror of his wildly popular tales and poems of horror and mystery, including ‘The Fall of the House of the Usher’, ‘The Raven’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’.
Poe heralded a new interpretation of the Gothic form in American fiction and his genius and artistic prowess remain iconic. Yet his extraordinary life has frequently been the subject of conflicting, doubtful and contested information.
Carefully documenting one of the most flawed, troubled and fascinating figures in literary history, a man of letters, philosophy, art and science, Woodberry presents a rare and in-depth account of Poe’s family background.
Including personal correspondence and private notes, this is an elegant and mesmerising biography documenting Poe’s greatest eccentricities, achievements, affairs and sorrows.
George Edward Woodberry (1855-1930) was an American literary critic and poet. Born in Massachusetts, he studied at Harvard University. His other titles include the biographies Ralph Waldo Emerson , Nathaniel Hawthorne and Swinburne .
By the age of 2, Edgar was alone and semi-destitute with his siblings Henry and Rosalie – David remained an absent father and Elizabeth died tragically from tuberculosis, alone on a straw bed while her children looked on helplessly.
This uncertainty and instability were patterns that continued throughout Poe’s life, mimicked in his art. Catastrophe, insanity, excess, dereliction and depression would haunt him whilst informing the psychological horror of his wildly popular tales and poems of horror and mystery, including ‘The Fall of the House of the Usher’, ‘The Raven’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’.
Poe heralded a new interpretation of the Gothic form in American fiction and his genius and artistic prowess remain iconic. Yet his extraordinary life has frequently been the subject of conflicting, doubtful and contested information.
Carefully documenting one of the most flawed, troubled and fascinating figures in literary history, a man of letters, philosophy, art and science, Woodberry presents a rare and in-depth account of Poe’s family background.
Including personal correspondence and private notes, this is an elegant and mesmerising biography documenting Poe’s greatest eccentricities, achievements, affairs and sorrows.
George Edward Woodberry (1855-1930) was an American literary critic and poet. Born in Massachusetts, he studied at Harvard University. His other titles include the biographies Ralph Waldo Emerson , Nathaniel Hawthorne and Swinburne .
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1885
107 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
George Edward Woodberry
174 books9 followersProfessor of Comparative Literature, Columbia University, 1891-1904.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 27, 2022
This volume of Poe's life was published in 1895. The 1895 edition is Woodberry's first published biography of Poe which was later expanded and revised in 1909.
CHAPTER I. Parentage ✔
CHAPTER Ii. Education ✔
CHAPTER III. Wanderings ✔
CHAPTER IV. At the South ✔
CHAPTER V. In Philadelphia ✔
CHAPTER VI. In New York ✔
CHAPTER VII. The End of the Play ✔
CHAPTER I. Parentage ✔
CHAPTER Ii. Education ✔
CHAPTER III. Wanderings ✔
CHAPTER IV. At the South ✔
CHAPTER V. In Philadelphia ✔
CHAPTER VI. In New York ✔
CHAPTER VII. The End of the Play ✔
February 3, 2012
In honor of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, our local library had a display of some of his books. I found this book and thought that perhaps it might be a good introduction for our girls. I knew that he had died young, but when I read the introduction, I was reminded of the fact that he died at the age of forty. Having reached that milestone recently myself, I was reminded a bit of my own mortality. Ah, the melancholy and macabre poems are getting to me!
I was a little surprised at how graphic the descriptions of the poems were. The poems themselves, while somewhat gloomy, could be taken in stride, but I found myself explaining that his stories were often horrific and scary and that his works tended to have a dark theme. We would only read one or two poems each night, as I didn't want our girls to have nightmares. I was a bit uneasy explaining about The Pit and the Pendulum and The Cask of Amontillado, for example. Our oldest took it in stride and seems to be fascinated with the spookiness of the tales. (Perhaps she's almost ready for some R.L. Stine?) But our youngest really didn't like the book at all. Still, I thought it was an interesting collection of his work and overall, I was glad that we were able to read some of his poems and bits of his stories together.
I was a little surprised at how graphic the descriptions of the poems were. The poems themselves, while somewhat gloomy, could be taken in stride, but I found myself explaining that his stories were often horrific and scary and that his works tended to have a dark theme. We would only read one or two poems each night, as I didn't want our girls to have nightmares. I was a bit uneasy explaining about The Pit and the Pendulum and The Cask of Amontillado, for example. Our oldest took it in stride and seems to be fascinated with the spookiness of the tales. (Perhaps she's almost ready for some R.L. Stine?) But our youngest really didn't like the book at all. Still, I thought it was an interesting collection of his work and overall, I was glad that we were able to read some of his poems and bits of his stories together.
November 15, 2008
Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe, edited by Brod Bagert. Sterling Publishing Company, 48 pages. Non-fiction, work of poetry.
Description: A sampling of Edgar Allan Poe's poems are presented, along with adapted excerpts from some of his longer prose. The poems are illustrated and briefly annotated.
Review: This collection helps young readers ease into poetry that might normally seem too difficult for them to enjoy. Dark, dreamlike illustrations accompany the texts and reflect the dark mood of Poe's writing. This dark, melodramatic mood will appeal to older children who enjoy stories about the supernatural.
Because kids might have a hard time deciphering the meaning of these poems, each one is described briefly in a way that sets the stage for readers as they launch into the poems. Unfamiliar words are also pulled out of the text and paired with familiar synonyms. This technique assists readers without making them flip to a glossary for a full definition. The volume is prefaced with a short biography of Poe. It would be helpful for readers not to skip this preface, as it provides a rich context for the poems.
Professional Reviews:
Katka, Pat. School Library Journal, June 1995.
Katka believes that Bagert's annotations detract from the experience of reading a poem. I disagree with this assessment. For children who are just being introduced to Poe, these explanations will help them decipher the poems' meaning. For more advanced readers, the annotations can simply be skipped.
I could only find one review for this title.
Description: A sampling of Edgar Allan Poe's poems are presented, along with adapted excerpts from some of his longer prose. The poems are illustrated and briefly annotated.
Review: This collection helps young readers ease into poetry that might normally seem too difficult for them to enjoy. Dark, dreamlike illustrations accompany the texts and reflect the dark mood of Poe's writing. This dark, melodramatic mood will appeal to older children who enjoy stories about the supernatural.
Because kids might have a hard time deciphering the meaning of these poems, each one is described briefly in a way that sets the stage for readers as they launch into the poems. Unfamiliar words are also pulled out of the text and paired with familiar synonyms. This technique assists readers without making them flip to a glossary for a full definition. The volume is prefaced with a short biography of Poe. It would be helpful for readers not to skip this preface, as it provides a rich context for the poems.
Professional Reviews:
Katka, Pat. School Library Journal, June 1995.
Katka believes that Bagert's annotations detract from the experience of reading a poem. I disagree with this assessment. For children who are just being introduced to Poe, these explanations will help them decipher the poems' meaning. For more advanced readers, the annotations can simply be skipped.
I could only find one review for this title.
March 21, 2019
I am never disappointed by this series.
The biographical introduction is illuminating. The pictures are not amazing, but are often interesting and are aptly disturbing. The annotations are concise and helpful. And I've def. come away with a new appreciation for Poe's talent.
The biographical introduction is illuminating. The pictures are not amazing, but are often interesting and are aptly disturbing. The annotations are concise and helpful. And I've def. come away with a new appreciation for Poe's talent.
November 4, 2023
This is an excellent book of poetry, ideal for young people, but enjoyable for anyone. It opens with a four page biography of Poe, and an explanation of the format. I particularly enjoyed a statement at the beginning of each poem revealing the author's thoughts. Each is also accompanied by an illustration. Definitions of some vocabulary are given at the bottom of each page.
I have read several books in this series and find them all excellent.
I have read several books in this series and find them all excellent.
March 20, 2008
This was a good way to revisit EAP's poetry, and ask myself what kind of a...sentimental? morose? odd?...kid I must've been to have loved him when I was in elementary school. Now, I guess it provides a way to make his poems more accessible to a young audience.
January 31, 2013
Great material to learn of perhaps one of the most ambitious man of letters of the 19th century, but one far too flawed to ever attain his dreams.
February 4, 2018
While Poe has some great poems, I don't know that he'd really be one of my top choices for a kids' series. The rhythm and rhyme are nice; the general despair, not so much. I liked the editor's idea of excerpting poetical passages from some of Poe's most famous stories as well, though I'm iffy about the decision to line-break them. It makes them look more like poems, but it's not done in a particularly inspired manner, and since Poe's actual poems are not remotely free verse, it feels like a jarring style shift. Better to have left them as "prose poems," I think. Some of them worked better than others, though I rather liked the one from "The Masque of the Red Death." Illustrations here are not bad but not great.
April 21, 2019
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level: 5th-6th
This book may look like it is one that would be appropriate for young children, but the poems in this book are often dark and disturbing. The author does a great job setting up each poem and explaining the meaning of words that may be difficult for children to read. Parents should definitely read poems and especially the introductions before sharing them with their children. For some children who may be sensitive or naturally fearful, this book might best be avoided, but for older children and teens this book could make Poe's poetry more accessible and understandable.
Grade Level: 5th-6th
This book may look like it is one that would be appropriate for young children, but the poems in this book are often dark and disturbing. The author does a great job setting up each poem and explaining the meaning of words that may be difficult for children to read. Parents should definitely read poems and especially the introductions before sharing them with their children. For some children who may be sensitive or naturally fearful, this book might best be avoided, but for older children and teens this book could make Poe's poetry more accessible and understandable.
February 26, 2018
I wasn't a particular big fan of Edgar Allan Poe, but quite a number of years ago I had a friend who was. I decided to give Poe another chance. Some of his works actually became favorites of mine. I even memorized his poem, Bells. This book rekindled my interest in Poe. I especially appreciated the introduction which gave me some insights into his life which helps me appreciate his works more.
June 4, 2023
Not the best of the series. Neither the write up about the author or the content would be my first choice for young people. He was 27 when he married a 13 year old. Alcoholism. Abandonment by his father. Mother dies when the children are young and they get split up to three different families. And did the author even like Poe’s works? And no I don’t think Mr. Poe would be thrilled with you changing some of his proses to poetry. Nevermore is a classic though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2017
This book was ok because it was sad. The reading age would probably be 5th grade and up. Edger Allan Poe was a poor child when his dad ran away from him. His mom and wife died. There are poems including The Bells, The Lake, Alone, Annabel Lee, and The Raven. Did he live a very good life? Read the book to find out!!!
October 16, 2019
This series is accessible and lovely. I love the way it not only gives you a succinct explanation of the poet's life and then has a short summary of each of the poems before reading the poem.
The images are spot on, the book is engaging as a whole, and I loved that they included a "poem" within a longer prose story that he had written to show the power of words and imagery.
The images are spot on, the book is engaging as a whole, and I loved that they included a "poem" within a longer prose story that he had written to show the power of words and imagery.
May 25, 2017
Some poems in this text might be considered deep for young kids, but there is certainly some great poems by the godfather himself. I like the fact that it includes definitions at the bottom of the pages. There is some great vocabulary, awesome book for poems and learning about Poe himself.
June 26, 2017
This book is a good introduction to Edgrar Allan Poe's poetry. Each poem has a brief description of what the poem is about along with an illustration.
I rated this book 5/5 because it is a good introduction to longer poems and it offers a short description of each.
I rated this book 5/5 because it is a good introduction to longer poems and it offers a short description of each.
April 9, 2019
I love how this little book showcases Poe’s poetry (some well known and others not as much), and does a bit of a deeper delve into what each poem means. It’s great for younger readers. I also think the illustrations are beautiful!
March 3, 2021
I far prefer Poe's short stories to his poetry, but this collection is a nice introduction to his writings for kids. The illustrations are captivating. I also liked that they included some snippets from a few short stories that demonstrate Poe's lyrical quality even in his prose.
October 26, 2024
Solid introduction to Poe’s poetry with poetry with a short bio, a brief explanation of each poem and passages from five short stories as well. The illustrations are great. This one may be too dark for younger kids.
July 5, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book but it took away because I was trying to understand everything that was happening in each poem.
July 15, 2017
The Bells was my favorite-the tintinabulation!
November 20, 2017
Appealing poetry book by Edgar Allen Poe that I found! Great read-alouds for children.
March 13, 2019
Very educational. Before each poem there is an explanation for each, helping those who cannot understand the reading to learn the deeper reasonings behind each pieces.
August 23, 2020
Okay, but many poems were incomplete only giving small samples of longer pieces, I just didn't see the point?
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January 30, 2021The artwork was very nice but overall it wasn't the best selection around. I also really enjoyed the little notes above each work.
February 2, 2021
An overview of Poe’s best known work. I had a Poe phase in high school. This reminded me why. His command of the language is stunning.
September 22, 2021
A great selection! It provided a good introduction to Poe’s works. One of my sons is now reading his short stories.
October 29, 2021
This is a small collection of Poe's poems and excerpts from his longer stories.
October 17, 2022
Poetry for kids!
This is a great introduction to Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry!
This is a great introduction to Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry!
February 11, 2024
He's a really interesting dude, but his poetry is kind of disturbing, but it also gets you to think about things too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews