Target Audience: Ages 13 and up

"Am I the only person on Earth?" begins Gordon's qustion to her readers. The 73 poems, range over time and cultures, are fresh and poignant. Each of the selection expresses the often inexpressible sense of loss and loneliness tthat we all experience in our lives. Gordon's selection of poems from popular works of authors, such as Emily Dickinson, Cynthia Rylant, Paul Simon, Carl Sandburg, Adrienne Rich, and John Keats. Many of the poems are translations from a variety of Eastern and Western languages. The topics range from the timeless to the timely, emotions from hope to despair.

The collection keenly reminds us that we are lonely creatures dwelling in this universe. It is an extraordinary gift, a repsonse to the proverb Gordon includes: "We are lonely.../until we find ourselves." Other memorable lines include: "To be born is to be separate, and "...to know someone or something lead ultimately to separation." The collection will connect to young adults of all ages.

A collection of peoms about being alone. I find it very sad but interesting. ( )

Reviews:

Stephanie Zvirin (Booklist, Mar. 15, 1995 (Vol. 91, No. 14))
Devoted dog friends first encountered in the delightful Moe the Dog in Tropical Paradise (1992) are back in another entertaining friendship story. Here, Moe's creativity earns him a chance to escape the drudgery at the Frozen Cow ice-cream factory where he and his friend Arlene work. The perks of his new job are great, but the responsibilities strain the friendship. "Woe is Moe" until Arlene comes up with a solution that brings the buddies back together. Stanley's comic view of the modern work ethic is presented simply enough that most kids will catch on, but even those who don't will grasp the friendship message and love Primavera's illustrations, which exuberantly capture the very personable canine characters in Day-Glo splendor. Not as spunky as Tropical Paradise, but still lots of wacky fun. Category: For the Young. 1995, Putnam, $15.95. Ages 4-7.