AN ANTHOLOGY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Originally released in 1958 as Negro Poetry for Young People, this reissue contains forty-two lyric poems by African-American poets born early in this century. The sound quality is remarkable, especially given that the recording was made thirty-five years ago. This collection is thematic rather than chronological, with small clusters of poems dealing with topics like "cities" and "people." While Bontemps's reading is clear and calm, his selection relies heavily on Langston Hughes. These are kind and gentle poems, lacking the grit and realism of writers like Lucille Clifton, Al Young and Ishmael Reed, who were in their early twenties when this collection was originally released. P.B.J. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN 94]