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Ralph Fletcher's Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the Inside Out is an excellent resource for tweens (8-12 year olds) and young teens who are interested in writing. Fletcher has an engaging, informal writing style. He peppers his comments on writing poetry with lots of samples of poetry, many of them written by children. Poetry Matters is the fourth in a series of books that author and poet Ralph Fletcher has written for children about writing.

While it is written for the individual child, the book would also be useful in a classroom where chapters could be read aloud and discussed.

The Focus of Poetry Matters

According to Fletcher, "This book focuses more on the 'inside' of poetry (ideas, images, feelings) than on the 'outside' (appearance, form)." While this is true, Fletcher does cover both the “inside” and the “outside” in his text. He emphasizes what he calls the "three pillars of poetry...emotion, image, and music." The author also discusses editing a poem and form.

Poetry Matters: Different Approaches Welcome

However, Fletcher makes it clear that his approach to writing poetry is not the only one that works. One of the things I particularly appreciate about the author is the way he sheds light on different approaches to poetry by including interviews with three other authors who write poetry for children: Kristine O'Connell George, Janet S. Wong, and J. Patrick Lewis. Each of the interviews adds to the strength of the book.

The Organization of Poetry Matters

Poetry Matters is divided into two sections.

Part One: "Lighting the Spark" contains five short chapters, including "Image" and "Poem Sparks: What to Write About." Part Two: "Nuturing the Flame" has seven chapters. These include "Crafting Your Poem," "Wordplay," and "A Few Words About Form." There is an extensive, annotated list of recommended poetry books at the end of the book. I am looking forward to looking for some of them at the library.

Poetry Matters: My Recommendation

Poetry Matters is available in an inexpensive paperback edition. While the contents are excellent, I wish the book itself were printed on higher quality paper so Poetry Matters would hold up better to active use.
The book is particularly suited to the tween or teen who already enjoys writing poetry and wants to learn more about it. Ralph Fletcher puts ideas, images, and feelings at the center of the book and uses both poetry, his own and others, and his own experiences to illustrate their importance. I recommend Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the Inside Out for 8- to 14-year-olds. (HarperCollins Children's Book Group, 2002. ISBN: 9780380797035)