Here in Harlem: Poems in Many Voices
2 CD Set (see all formats)

Starred Review "Inspired by Edgar Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology, Walter Dean Myers presents another distinctive community in a series of evocative poems (Holiday House, 2004). Harlem comes to life through the voices of those who have lived there, each unique in diverse poetic forms, age of speaker, experience presented, and emotional context. Before the introduction is read by Myers, a poem in the voice of a 33-year old English teacher opens the book:"....I take my stand in Harlem, and sing of jubilee/Here my fretful soul flies wondrous free." Multiple voices then present a diverse community which embraces its music, history, education, daily challenges, and joys. Each Voice is carefully chosen to bring individual characters to life. Music and sound effects enhance the mood. Have the book available so listeners can peruse the period photographs that augment the poems' settings and moods. This rich, moving performance brings a place, a period, and poetry to life."

Starred Review "Myers' remarkable poems, in which fictional residents of Harlem tell their own stories in verse, totally immerse listeners in the sights and sounds of the city. Offering a rich oral history, this collection is read by 13 outstanding narrators, including Kevin R. Free, Michael Early, Patricia R. Floyd, Dion Graham, Robin Miles, and others, reciting more than 50 first-person poems. The readers' vivid portrayals, grounded in authentic interpretations of age, gender, and distinct dialect, personify vintage sepia-toned photographs (from Myers' personal collection) in the accompanying paperbound book. Evocative background sound effects blend with impressive jazz and blues period music from such recognizable musicians as Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Dizzy Gillespie, providing a resonant backdrop to the stellar readings. Myers reads the introduction, sharing his inspiration (the Harlem of his youth) for the poems. This read-along of Myers' 2005 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award winner defies categorization-a marvelous cross generational literary delight; an excellent introduction to poetry, social issues, and memoirs; and a wonderful complement to Live Oak's 2008 Odyssey Award winner, Jazz (also written by Myers). This sterling production extends the print version to bring the voices of Harlem and the speakers' distinct cadences and inflections to our ears. Experience the power of music and poetry in this highly recommended title. "

"In his introduction, author Walter Dean Myers explains that his collection of poems about Harlem was inspired by Spoon River Anthology. The poems in Here in Harlem were made to be performed-listeners hear a chorus of voices from different eras and walks of life, full of joy and sorrow, pride and pain as they shed light on the African-American experience. Thirteen talented narrators share their stories, and all of them bring utterly authentic emotions to their vocal performances. The package includes a lovely print book, but listeners won't need to see the words or photographs to be swept up by this beautiful, masterful recording."