Lion's Hunger: Poems of First Love - Hardcover

"All of the emotions and angst of first love are experienced in this roller coaster poem. The language is fresh and the poetry form is such a part of the story that readers who say they hate poetry will find themselves involved with the characters and forget they are reading a poem. The illustrations are well done and add to the story, especially the ones in which the people are indistinct enough that every reader can envision him- or herself in them." -- Book Report, May/June 1999

"Each poem captures a single event or feeling experienced by the girl, and these moments work together to tell the story. As a collection, these poems effectively snapshot the fragile highs and dangerous lows of love. The shape, style, and language of the poems are quite accessible, and those readers looking for melodrama and angst will be satisfied....With teens' appetite for love stories, both happy and doomed, many readers will relate to this story, and that, combined with the accessibility of the poetry, is sure to make this a popular choice." -- VOYA, February 1999

"The joys and sorrows of first love are detailed in Turner's heartfelt poems written from a young woman's perspective. Over the course of a year, love at first feeds the gnawing ache inside.../ a lion's hunger,' almost becoming a religion, with its own rituals of romance. But when tragedy occurs, circumstances and feelings change, and the relationship ends--but the young woman eventually foresees a time of personal healing. Although the verse sometimes relies on clichd metaphors and similes, it shows the cathartic power of poetry and self-expression. For teens, this is important because it shows that poetry is not necessarily defined by format or scholars, but by personal, emotional investment. The illustrations detract from the book's appeal; readers should be allowed to rely on imagination rather than forced images. However, the poems do capture the emotions, insecurities, and rituals that define first love and its powerful impact." -- Booklist, March 1, 1999

Grade 8-10-The tender pull of love is the subject of this slim volume. The 36 ultra-short, free-verse poems trace a teen's relationship during one school year from first blush to intense crush to melancholy memory. While there is some good imagery here ("food tastes like colors," "you knife the sky," "a sharp, lime scent"), the poems are not especially well crafted. However, most are written in first person, thus placing readers into the scenes. The smell of a loved one's sweater, the curve of his neck, and remembered conversations are all images teens will be able to relate to their own experiences. There is little maturity in terms of poetry here, but the gentle feelings, pain of promises, and reflective memories do appropriately touch upon the emotions felt with first love. Preteens will find some solace and understanding in this book; older readers may cringe at its triteness. Somewhat sentimental, full-color paintings illustrate the poems.
Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library,
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.