Harlem: A Poem

Bibliographic Information: Myers, W. (1997). Harlem: A Poem. Illus. Christopher Myers. New York, New York: Scholastic Press.

Brief Annotation: This is a poetry picture book about Harlem and the African American lifestyle in Harlem, New York. This book refers to many famous African American leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The amazing collage illustration are impacting and support the text in a creative way; it brings out the richness of Harlem. While this is a poetry picture book the rhyming is a bit harder to catch.

Genre: Poetry, Fiction

Grade Level: 5 and up

Readers who will like this: Readers who like to learn about diverse cultures. Readers who like poetry.

Response/Rating (1-4): 3. While some of the text is hard to grasp on the first read through, the beautiful illustrations really bring to life the Harlem culture. This book is rich with cultural tradition and community.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Has anyone heard of Harlem, New York? What makes it so special?