Is This Forever, or What?: Poems & Paintings from Texas

by Naomi Shihab Nye, Various (Illustrator)

Texas. The state line stretches for 2,842 miles. There are coasts and mountains and rivers and lakes and cities and towns and disappearing towns and fields of wildflowers and hills and wide-open places. The state of mind has no borders. And the 140 Texans in this book are about to show you why.

Genres: Poetry, Young Adult

176 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Naomi Shihab Nye was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother. During her high school years, she lived in Ramallah in Jordan, the Old City in Jerusalem, and San Antonio, Texas, where she later received her B.A. in English and world religions from Trinity University. She is a novelist, poet and songwriter.

She currently lives in San Antonio, Texas. She was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets in 2010.

Reviews

[Nicole Fellows · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poem I looked at in this book was called "Something." It talked about looking at the computer, mailbox, and telephone, jut waiting for something to happen. I liked the poem because I think it's something that a lot of people can relate to. It seems like we are always waiting for something new and exciting to happen!

[Allison Paules · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free Choice
Is this forever, or what: poems & painting from Texas by: Naomi Shihab Nye
Poetry
Awards: Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honoree 2005, American Library Association Notable Children's Book 2005.
Audience: Middle age to adults
-This poetry, Is this forever or what, is a narrative poem. These different poems express different poems from different people all over Texas and what their life has been like living here and what it is like to be a true Texan. These poems talk about different parts of Texas such as the deserts, different Native American Art, music that originated from artists in Texas. These different elements tell multiple stories,but together make one, what it means to be Texan.

-These different poems display a lot of imagery describing different aspects of Texas such as the Texas culture, the geographic and scenery, and hearing from 140 different perspectives. This paints a picture for people that are not from Texas what Texas is like and gives Texans more insight one their Lone Star State. This poem is also very relatable to Texan readers, “every town has a Dairy Queen” making me be able to relate to the writers and enjoy and laugh while reading their poems.

[sarafem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could care less about Texas, but it had a pretty cover...After reading this, with its rich descriptions of Texas and its culture, some of the most moving poetry I have ever read, I've changed my mind about Texas. This is one of the best poetry collections I have ever come across.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

"And Every Town Its Dairy Queen". I love the author's use of language. She is very good at describing things and this poem I read I thought was very funny and enjoyable to read about cowboys.

[Danielle Miskin]

Poem: Sweet Dreams

The poem seemed deep and that maybe there was a different meaning more than the one that I took from it. But it was still good.

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Sauce

Even thought these poems didn't necessarily rhyme I really liked the imagery they held. Helped me to think of things from a different perspective.

[Nour · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty coffee-table book