Slam

Slam
Various authors
Published by Puffin, 2000; ISBN 0141309199
Recommend reading age: Young Adult

Summary:
This book came out during some of slam poetry’s heydays. The slam movie with Saul Williams came out around that time, and younger writers were just catching on to this “new” method of writing. Slam is a collection of writing from teenagers, as well as some tidbits from Tori Amos, Allen Ginsberg, and other famous people. It also opens with a short history of slam poetry, for readers new to the genre.

Review:
Slam may not contain the best slam poetry ever written, but it’s an interesting look at writing by teens. The raw emotion (a trademark in slam poetry) should hit home with young adult readers and inspire them to try writing their own pieces. The segments from famous writers and musicians provide motivation for writers, and highlight the slam format. I used some of the pieces in Slam when I wrote my senior project (a play) in high school. I’d recommend this collection to people new to slam poetry and to teenage poetry fans.