Why He Matters

We may all agree that it’s nice that Kwame Alexander's written books, but so what? Well, in addition to be a multi-award winning author, Alexander travels the country (and the world) engaging with students of all sorts via speaking engagements and workshops.

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He also dispenses advice: in an article for the School Library Journal, he wrote, “Want to get your students excited about poetry? Try love” (How Kwame Alexander Gets teens Reading and Writing Poetry” http://www.slj.com/2015/12/teens-ya/how-kwame-alexander-gets-teens-reading-and-writing-poetry/). He then waxes rhapsodic about the joy and power of love poems, which we all wrote - for better or worse - as teenagers; he reminds kids - and adults - of the power and interplay of poetry and emotion.

Another important aspect of Alexander’s work is that he is a strong supporter of the We Need Diverse Books movement. His stories are often set within an urban environment, and although he has said his novels are not autobiographical, he has also stated that he draws on his memories of his own childhood to reflect authentic experiences and emotions (“Questions and Answers with Kwame Alexander” http://kwamealexander.com/about/me/c/199). His careful characterization helps any reader feel at home in the shoes of his protagonists, while also providing a window into the lives of urban characters.

If you’re not impressed by medals and awards, that’s fine. Instead, be impressed by the rabid popularity of Alexander’s YA and children’s books. As one Connecticut teacher enthused after a visit from Alexander, “[H]is poetic verse completely transformed students’ impression of poetry, the meaning of it, and furthermore, its impact on readers” (“Surprise! It’s Kwame Alexander” http://www.slj.com/2017/05/schools/surprise-its-kwame-alexander/). This is an author whose work needs to be part of your library collection! Increase your circulation, and expand your student’s understanding of themselves and the world around them with these powerful, accessible works.

(Image credit: http://kwamealexander.com/images/home1-2016030362847.jpg)