Parents' Guide to

Harlem: A Poem

By Ann Marie Sammataro, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

This glittering work reaches across boundaries.

Book Walter Dean Myers Poetry 1997
Harlem: A Poem Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

Coby B.
Coby B. Adult
January 29, 2018
age 2+

shameless

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Harlem was a promise ... Myers's vivid poem creates a kaleidoscopic journey through Harlem's past and present. Staccato verses and brilliant collages stir the senses, calling forth a tumultuous burst of sights, sounds, and images. Famous names and events fill the verses, raising questions for readers unfamiliar with black history. But this glittering work reaches across racial and social boundaries.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This remarkable work shimmers with emotions: alternately spiritual, humorous, jazzy, and, at times, full of the blues. They shine with a reverence for what Harlem promised and produced, tempered with keen observations of its disappointments. The uptown, upbeat, ragtime tempo of this poem makes for a lively read-aloud, even for older readers. Add to this the scope of the poem's content and it's a treasure -- both for those who have lived the Harlem experience and those who are curious about it.

Christopher Myers's artwork enhances his father's poem. Each illustration is a fascinating collage of tiny pieces of papers, drawings, and photographs, divided and reassembled to create a new whole. Martin Luther King Jr., the Apollo Theater, girls skipping rope -- all come to life in pages filled to the edges with color and texture. Rhythm and image, color and texture, all combine to create Harlem's celebration song.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Harlem past and present. Why is this neighborhood such an important part of America's history? What does its future hold?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate