An exploration of identity and self, Dandelion Body encapsulates both the beauty and the challenges of growing up in a digital world. Throughout the book, Cheung cracks open coal to find honey. She sets out a welcome mat to inside her sixteen years of life, using poetry to remind people that even a storm leaves softness and sweetness in its wake. “Mia Cheung’s poems offer immediacy and energy, a direct voice talented in fusing feeling with thought..." ~ James Engell, Gurney Professor of English and Professor of Comparative Literature and former Chair of the English Department at Harvard University “Mia’s poetry is among the most lucid and self-aware I have seen in a while..." ~ Cassandra Luca, Harvard College, Class of 2021 "Thoughtful, playful, angry, sad, sharp, pointed, whimsical, these poems area a refreshingly diverse exploration of identity and self." ~ Marcel Gauthier, Head of School at Shanghai American School and former professional poet
I'm not going to give this a star rating, because I don't think I'm qualified. I am not a big fan of poetry and have definitely not read a lot of current teen poetry. I'm 67, and just did not "get" this. It will be considered great by some, but I just didn't understand most of it.