Followed this book since i knew the work of Sophia from social media and wanted to read something from her.
Very Valuable for poetry and performance of poetry (spoken word)
What i almost would like to suggest is a multilanguage approach to poetry instead of a nacional one, would be promising to world poetry

Gorgeous cover and collection of poetry. Much of it, like all poetry, should be read aloud. There are many internal rhymes and a great rhythm to this collection. The book is broken into sections: Grow, Wait, Break, and Grow Again. So despite the heartbreaking poems, it ends on a hopeful note. And even the acknowledgments, which I love to read, give thanks to the people who inspired the work and experienced the poems alongside her. I love that.

Plenty of great lines and poems to love in here. A few favorites include:

From "secrets":

Keeping my first was lonely.
I gave her more to keep warm.
I am surprised that my jaw
has not unhinged itself
with the amount of me I keep under my tongue.
My neck has become so tough.

From "Let Hurt":

Sometimes
to heal once and one time only
first we must properly hurt.
To understand the sadness that stifles us
we must let it stifle us first
let it sink its teeth deep into our eyes
and let whatever leaks out purse
its lips against our cheeks
like a kiss asking us to be patient

My students love performance poetry that they can either relate to, that has deep emotions. and/or has empathic/sympathetic topics to explore and this has it all for them. Definitely going to add it to the collection.

Thank you to Candlewick Press and Netgalley for access to this work of poetry in exchange for my honest review.

Sophia Thakur's collection of poems in Somebody Give This Heart a Pen addresses modern issues faced by young teens developing not only their identity, but also their understanding of the world. Some of the poems touched me with their depth and sincerity ("Cutting" and "Sprouting"), but the majority were much more straight forward and lacked the lyricism I hope to see in poetry. There is very little room for the reader to think deeply and interpret, to connect to the poetry and author beyond the obvious situations or emotions presented. There were glimpses, but I wanted more.

Somebody Give This Heart A Pen by Sophia Thakur is a beautiful and earnest poetry collection. She covers many aspects of life, including learning and self development, relationships, and love and loss. She uses vivid, descriptive language to express vulnerabilities. Overall, a wonderful volume of poetry.

Thank you Candlewick Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This book of poems in high in emotional content that will resonate with teens. Thakur is a poet with promise.

I find poetry collections to be deeply personal to their authors which is why there is always the possibility of a lack of connection with the reader. This book was unfortunately an example of that for me.

I found it really difficult to relate to these poems for a couple reasons, the most prominent being that I’m at such a different point in my life than the poet. The other reason being the imagery and emotion were obviously familiar to the author but it wasn’t successfully conveyed which didn’t allow me to immerse myself.

All together this was just one of those poetry collections that didn’t weave itself into me like others have in the past.

I'm generally a fan of free verse and spoken word poetry, but Somebody Give This Heart a Pen wasn't what I had hoped it would be. A few of the poems are beautiful and real and raw, but many of them get lost in the winding metaphors.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have been told many times that poetry is hard to review. I am not sure that is true. It is just the verse of someone's life. It is a way for them to allow us all a glimpse into their lives. It is like a snapshot of them in that moment. That is how I felt when I was reading each poem in this collection. It is a wonderfully perfect collection of poetry that shows a glimpse in the heart and soul of the author. I love to read poetry and this was a wonderful collection.

The rhythmic power The Poet X mixed with the vulnerability of Amanda Lovelace. This collection of poetry showcases the highs, lows, and in-betweens of life. Strong emotions and pure truth line every page. A perfect book for aspiring poets and those who can’t get their own words out to release what is inside.

I'll start this review by saying that this type of poetry is always fifty times better when performed - to me, any poetry in general is better live. Unlike fiction, where I enjoy drawing my own opinions/thoughts/views out of the words, poetry always flows better when performed from the writer or another, and given that extra edge, that extra breath of life. I get more out of it - it's a lot like music in that way. While Thakur's poems are beautiful, touching on subjects of body image, sexuality, family, and heartbreak, I think I've grown out of this certain kind of poetry/writing - I would have loved it at 16, but at 24, the lines started to run together and a lot of the themes became repetitive. I loved the poems about her finding her identity, and felt those were some of her strongest writings, but the ones on heartbreak and relationships didn't hit me as hard. For poetry, you really have to relate to the words for the poems to move you - and that didn't happen with the whole book for me. I'd still highly recommend it to those that love this type of poetry, though!

3.5/5 I thought this title was impressive for the author's age, and gave wonderful insights as to her experiences and heart. She has a beautiful voice, and it's clear her work will be headed somewhere bright in the future.

That being said, this did not stand out in my mind. There were lines I highlighted as favorites, but it wasn't the best collection I've read this year. That is not to say I don't think the author has promise; she clearly has talent and great experience which translates well to written work. Still, I see this developing more in future works.

In general: while I think the author has much promise, this was not may favorite. Still a good, easy read, however!

I really, really wanted to love this book. I loved the premise and the title grabbed me right away. However, I just didn't connect with the actual writing. I kept waiting for the lessons and moments that would resonate and there just weren't many.

I’m not usually one for poetry so I don’t have the proper language to really describe this book of poetry. However, what I can say is it powerful and beautifully written. I can hear the cadence of the little slam poetry I am familiar with and loved it. I only wish I could have listened to this because I feel it would have made it even more incredible.

Beautiful and thoughtful poetry. I feel like my teenage self would have connected so much more than my adult self did. I would definitely pass this along to my daughter.

Thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review

Sophia Thakur treats teen readers to a collection of her performance poetry that addresses love, loss, friendship, and being a young mixed-race woman in our modern world.

I don't know if I have quite gained the knack of reviewing poetry but I will not deny that I did seek out Sophia's performances on Youtube. Highly recommended as another way to truly appreciate the weight of each word written and spoken by the poet.





Goodreads review 01/11/20
Publication Date 08/09/20


#SomebodyGiveThisHeartaPen #NetGalley

I loved this book. It was so raw and beautiful and the poetry spoke to me with rhythm and meaning and depth. It was so emotional and well written. It’s also organised into sections which I love.

I like poetry, but don't often read a full book of poems. However, after hearing Sophia Thakur perform at an ALA online event, I was drawn to her words and her story. Here is the challenge for me in reviewing this book. The poems really do beg to be spoken aloud, and having heard Thakur perform several poems, I could read them in her voice. But, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the book as much without having first heard them. So, my advice to readers: seek out videos of Thakur performing, then read the book. Recommended for teen readers who will appreciate the intensity of her emotional reactions to life.

This was a very strong, powerful, and inspiring read. Going into the book, I wasn't completely sure what it was about and what would be covered, but I was very delighted with what I read. This book was filled with well written poems that were clearly written from the heart. I really enjoyed the way these poems were written and they were easy to read.

I enjoyed most of the poems within the book. Some didn't speak to me the way some others did but overall, most hit home - something a great poetry book does.

Thanks @netgalley for the gifted copy // "Save your heart from its silence. That corner of you wants a poem"

All I know is that when I'm having a blah day, I turn to poetry and it always makes me feel better. Thakur created a five star collection with this one and you should definitely check it out.

Have any poetry collections that you love? Give me all the recommendations please!

SOMEBODY GIVE THIS HEART A PEN / SOPHIA THAKUR

SYNOPSIS: From acclaimed performance poet Sophia Thakur comes a powerful new collection of poems exploring issues of identity, difference, perseverance, relationships, fear, loss and joy. The collection is arranged as life is: from youth to school, to home life, falling in love and falling straight back out again. The poems draw on the author’s experience as a young mixed-race young woman trying to make sense of a lonely and complicated world. With a strong narrative voice and emotional empathy, this is poetry that will resonate with all young people, whatever their background, and whatever their dreams. As she says, she hopes the poems will help readers "grow through what they go through"

#deweyrating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐