I could see this being a useful book for high school students or undergraduate students who are studying different forms of poetry, specifically autobiographic poetry that's meant to descriptively tell a story that incorporates vivid imagery about the place/space as well as (or, in order to) more fully describe the progression of events. ( )

This poem is a tragic love story with a happy ending (for the couple). Contains ominous paintings incorporating the "thug" life in the projects. Rhyme scheme of ABCB seems like it mey be kid-friendly, but the content proves otherwise. Extremely modern Romeo and Juliet story.

Awards/Reviews:
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) starred 10/01/09

This novel would be good as a compare/contrast with the story of Romeo and Juliet.

This book is part poem part love story. This book is about Walter Dean Myers twist on Swan Lake. The main characters Amiri and Odette are in love but Odette is trapped in a deal with an evil man called Big Red. Their love was so strong that together they used their love to break free of Big Red. This book was full of storng illustartions with three dimensional qualities meant for readers to see pictures of the grit, dangers and dark side of the streets. Ultimately, love even when in the face of evil, overcomes. ( )

Waltern Dean Myers' modern retelling of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" is brought to life by Javaka Steptoe's provocative acrylic paintings on cinder block and asphalt. Some of the paintings are quite large, up to 3 feet wide, and include aspects of a collage like jewelry, candy wrappers, newspapers, and plastic bags. They convey the emotion of the characters, their anguish and love and betrayal, as well as the tension present in some of the most touching scenes. Myers' lyrical prose is printed in several different colors, styles, and sizes that punctuate the tone of the story.

Amiri is a young man living in the Swan Lake Projects with his mother, who warns him of the dangers of the city and encourages the boy to find a good wife before its too late. Out playing basketball with his friends Amiri is noticed by Odette, and the two fall in love at first sight. When Amiri's mother throws a party for him he is ecstatic to see Odette there, but it is not her, but an evil twin sent by the villian, Big Red. In the end Odette must choose between her arranged connection with the powerful Big Red or her soul mate, Amiri. The girl chooses Amiri, and the last page shows a calm city-scape full of possibility.

Myers' and Steptoe's reworking of "Swan Lake" is a masterpiece of modern fiction, poetry, graphic novels, and love stories. With no violence and only slight suggestions of intimacy between Amiri and Odette the book is appropriate for any level of high school reader. ( )

Personal response: I thought this was a very effective retelling. I wasn't familiar with the original story before i read this, so initially I had nothing to base it on. The verse was done very well, only a few parts did the feeling of flow with in the words fall apart. However, when it did fall apart it in my mind it created an abrupt stop. I like retellings. Not only do they put a story into a more relevant and identifiable setting, but they also allow young readers to relate better to the story, not feeling as if they are reading something old and boring
Grades 6 - 12

curricular connections:
Study on poetry / verse
Creative writing: a study of themes, and how they span time and setting ( )