
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling to understand the presence of hate in the world or is processing a news event involving social injustice and prejudice. This is a collection of sixty-eight poems that reflect on the 1998 kidnapping and murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student. It explores the event from multiple perspectives, including the fence he was tied to and the stars above, to help readers process the gravity of hate crimes through a lens of empathy rather than just trauma. While the subject matter is undeniably heavy, Lesléa Newman uses the beauty of verse to create a safe space for reflection. It is an essential choice for parents looking to foster a deep sense of social justice and allyship in their high schoolers. By moving through the tragedy toward a call for a more compassionate future, the book helps teenagers find a constructive way to channel their anger and sadness into a commitment to kindness.
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Sign in to write a reviewDescription of the assault is handled through poetic imagery but remains impactful.
Focuses on extreme homophobia and hate-motivated violence.
Themes of grief, loss, and community mourning are present throughout.
The book deals directly with a brutal hate crime, homophobia, and death. The approach is poetic and semi-metaphorical, focusing on the emotional resonance rather than graphic descriptions of violence, though the reality of the assault is clear. The resolution is realistic regarding the tragedy but hopeful in its message of remembrance and the necessity of legislative and social change.
A high school student (ages 14-18) who is socially conscious, perhaps a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, who is beginning to engage with human rights history and needs a medium to process the reality of prejudice.
Parents should be aware that the book mentions the specifics of the crime, including the fence and the cold. It is best read with context provided about who Matthew Shepard was and the subsequent passage of the Matthew Shepard Act. A parent might see their child reacting with intense fear or anger to news of a hate crime, or perhaps questioning if the world is a safe place for people who are different.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the sadness and the unfairness of the event. Older teens (17-18) will likely appreciate the craft of the different poetic forms and the broader political implications of the tragedy.
Unlike standard biographies or histories, Newman uses various poetic structures to give voice to the voiceless (including the natural world), making a historical event feel immediate, personal, and profoundly spiritual.
The book is a verse novel or poetic cycle that recounts the events surrounding the 1998 hate crime murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Rather than a linear narrative, it utilizes 68 poems in various forms (villanelles, haiku, free verse) to capture different perspectives, including the victim, the perpetrators, the trial, and even inanimate objects like the fence where Matthew was left. It serves as a commemorative song and a plea for social change.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.