The Invisible Ladder: An Anthology of Contemporary American Poems for Young Readers

by Liz Rosenberg (Editor)

Sitting by the barbecue
waiting for sausages and hot dogs
..........
I see a tiny spider
..........
a silver speck
glistening
at its mouth,
climbing the invisible ladder

--from "Dinner Together" by Diana Rivera

This anthology of poems by America's best poets glistens too, and offers its own silvery ladder for readers to climb.

Liz Rosenberg, herself an accomplished poet, wanted to make contemporary poems for adults accessible to a broader readership. She searched for works which, in both feeling and expression, could reach from one age group to another. Then she asked the poets to write about the links between poetry and childhood, and to send photos that showed how they looked when they were young, and who they are today.

The Invisible Ladder is a gift from everyone who contributed to it: a hand extended from those whose art is crafting words to a new generation of readers and writers.

Genres: Poetry, Anthologies, Young Adult

210 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 1996

About the author

Liz Rosenberg is an American poet, novelist, children's book author, and book reviewer. She is currently a professor of English at Binghamton University.

Reviews

[Julian Brower · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Invisible Ladder: An Anthology Of Contemporary American Poems For Young Readers" by Liz Rosenburg is a book containing a collection of several poems by various authors. Some of the poems are very, very long; others can be very short. Every poem has a unique and interesting title, whether it be "In A Train", "Being In Love", or even "They Are Planning To Cancel The School Milk Program To Fund A Tax Cut For The Middle Class". Before a group of poems is shown, the book shows pictures of the authors and talks a little bit about them to show who they are and why they wrote these poems. "The Invisible Ladder: An Anthology Of Contemporary American Poems For Young Readers" by Liz Rosenburg, is truly a fascinating collection, and it shows just how wonderful poems can actually be.

[MissDziura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Liz Rosenberg's anthology of poems for young readers is a very poorly chosen collection and I would not add this to a classroom library. Having taught poetry to middle school students, I have also encountered a lot of hesitation and frustration when it has come to understanding and relating to the poems. Poems included in Rosenberg's anthology are supposed to be relatable for young readers (I took the age range to be middle school) yet almsot all poems included are dense and not student-friendly. In addition, many of the poets included I have never seen used for young adults except for maybe Nikki Giovanni and Alice Walker. The anthology is divided by poet beginning with a statement from each and then their included poems. I was able to find only one or two poems that I could use in the classroom that would not want to make the students run the other way!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there were a way to indicate separate ratings for the concept of a book and the actual product. For example, this book is wonderfully unique in that it selects "real poems" for young people that aren't either rhymey-wimey or by old/dead people. It's contemporary poetry that is accessible to older children and teens.

However, I didn't care for most of the poems (though frankly I am incredibly picky when it comes to poetry, even with my favorite poets). But there were a good number that I did enjoy, and I liked seeing the photos of the poets from when they were children as well as more current ones (I just like seeing pics of peeps as kids regardless).

Nice idea, fairly nice results, would love to see a sequel!

[Melissa West · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great variety of poems for children. My favorite part of this book was the synopses of the poets at the beginning of each poet's work that told about their past in relation to how they began to write poetry. This is a poetry book for intermediate to middle grades. This could be used in a reading classroom setting to teach poetry, to example reading of poetry, to use in the classroom library or to have for independent reading.

[Tina Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best anthology of poems for young kids that I know. Great selections and I love, love the photos and commentaries. I knew this book long before I read her novel Home Repair, which I also really like. Guess that's often true for me-- sometimes I just read through everything by a particular author and then keep going till I run out.

[Miguel Melchor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great selection of poems good for some more sophisticated elementary school right on up to high schoolers, and way beyond. A terrific selection of poems and pictures Great for both kids and adults, with comments about the connections between poetry and childhood. A great anthology for poetry lovers of all ages.

[Paul Eliat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this collection. The poems are superb, the photos and commentary add greatly to the effect of the whole. This book is ideal for teachers and home-schoolers since it's practically a poetry class as well as a great collection.

[Gina Fiedel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection of poems. I find not only do young people respomd but all my friends end up wanting as copy as well. This amazing collection includes photos of the poets as children and adults plus their commentary. An exquisite and thoughtful collection.

[George Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite poetry anthologies. Also enjoy I just Hope It's Lethal by the same editor.

[Arielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a book about all these different poetry witters, it was interesting and I would recommend it if you were into the whole poetry history thing.