NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children

2021 Award Recipient

Janet S. Wong

After a career working at Universal Studios, studying law at Yale, and working as a substitute teacher, Janet S. Wong turned to publishing and writing children’s books. Her first 21 books, written over two decades, were published by Simon & Schuster, Harcourt, and FSG; then, in 2012, through Pomelo Books, she (with Sylvia Vardell) began to focus on anthologies that include other poets’ work. She strives to create books that contain engaging poems for children and mini-lessons or useful tidbits for teachers, librarians, and administrators. She has spent time volunteering...

Sestina, by Elizabeth Bishop

September rain falls on the house.
In the failing light, the old grandmother
sits in the kitchen with the child
beside the Little Marvel Stove,
reading the jokes from the almanac,
laughing and talking to hide her tears.

She thinks that her equinoctial tears
and the rain that beats on the roof of the house
were both foretold by the almanac,
but only known to a grandmother.
The iron kettle sings on the stove.
She cuts some bread and says to the child,

It's time for tea now; but the child
is...

when the world comes crashing at your feet
it’s okay to let others
help pick up the pieces
if we’re present to take part in your happiness
when your circumstances are great
we are more than capable
...

The owl and the chimpanzee went to sea
In a beautiful boat called The Mind
The owl was sensible, clever and smart
The chimp was a little behind
The owl made decisions, based on fact
And knew where to steer its ship
...

The rain drums down like red ants,
each bouncing off my window.
The ants are in great pain
and they cry out as they hit
as if their little legs were only (5)...

look at you.
still standing
after being
knocked down
and thrown out.

look at you.
still growing
after being
picked and plucked
and prodded out of
your home.

look at you.
still dancing
and singing
after being
defeated and disassembled.

My soul is burdened, seems like I’m in the dark
Trapped,
And my mind, overwhelmed
A man with great pride
Had all, lost all, (5)
Everything in me yelling for help
Remember growing up
as a young male,
the world telling me
Always be strong (10)
Now I’m down on life’s luck
A man going on to thirty four
With no navigation to weather the storm
Lost
Strange, now I’m losing my sleep (15)...