Most folks go their entire lives without ever having anything they’ve written published in a book.
Three Oxford students will have their poetry published as part of a national anthology ? and they’re not even done with the second grade.
The writings of Tate Hamilton, Adam Bertich and Jillian Beall, all students in teacher Theresa Giberson’s class at Daniel Axford Elementary, will be featured in the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans scheduled to be printed in August.
Featuring poems from students in grades K-12 across the United States, the book ? compiled and published by the North Carolina-based The Anthology of Poetry, Inc. ? provides a forum through which budding young authors can see their work, and the works of other students, in print.
Works are selected for publication based upon their originality, rhythmic sounds, rhymes and audience appeal. Although every submission is reviewed, only 55 percent are published.
Considering their talent level and the diversity of their styles, Giberson wasn’t surprised Hamilton, Bertich and Beall were selected for the book.
‘Tate is an absolutely amazing writer,? she said. ‘She is well beyond her years. She’s got an incredible voice. I love reading her writing. I could totally see her becoming a writer.?
Simply entitled ‘Fall,? Hamilton’s poem expressed the sheer childlike joy involved with raking up leaves only to have someone jump into the pile.
Hamilton said she likes writing because ‘you don’t really have a limit.??
You don’t have to write about a certain thing, you can just write about anything,? she said, noting she would like be a writer when she grows up.
Giberson described Bertich as a ‘very structured? writer who takes a ‘very logical? approach to writing.
‘If you say do A, B and C, he’ll do A, B and C,? she said. ‘He’s very black and white. Everything has to be perfect.?
Entitled ‘Every Day Should be Earth Day,? Bertich’s poem was written in an acrostic style, meaning the first letter of each line forms a word or phrase when read vertically.
Bertich also enjoys the freedom of writing and is particularly fond of fairy tales, folktales and legends. He either wants to be a writer or a paleontologist.
Of Beall, Giberson said, ‘She’s very creative and able to follow a lesson. She’s able to use information and integrate it very easily into her work.?
Beall’s poem was an ode to the Thanksgiving holiday.
‘I like to write rhymes in my poems,? she said, noting her favorite subjects are seasons and the holidays that go with them like Halloween and Christmas.
Poetry plays an integral role in Giberson’s lesson plans.
‘I do poetry throughout the year,? she said. ‘It’s a way to reach all kids because there’s so many different types of poetry. And you don’t always have to have rules. There’s a freedom in writing that inspires them.?
For more information about the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans visit www.anthologyofpoetry.com.