With a Star in My Hand

• “Engle explores Darío’s relationship with words and the effects of abandonment, trauma, grief, and loss on his work. The cyclical nature of events described, as well as the seasons’ change and the rollercoaster of emotions—all based firmly in research—reflect how the poet’s past affected his identity and career. Engle also pays close attention to Darío’s mestizo identity and the importance of utilizing Spanish language, and there is a wonderful section on linework and rhyming patterns and structures, an educational element for young poets trying their hands at redondillas, octavillas, espinelas, and seguidillas… . Exceptional. – Booklist, starred review“Heartfelt … The brevity of the poems allows readers to make rapid progress through the novel, and the placement of line breaks is thoughtful and effective: ‘With paper as my sky, words / are the wind that should help my mind fly.’” – The Horn Book“Engle distills a fascinating life and creates a portrait of a country where poetry, valued by many, could be a young person’s ticket out of hardship… . In introducing readers to Darío, Engle creates a jumping-off point for poetic exploration.” – Publishers Weekly“Compelling… . This accessible volume serves as an excellent introduction to Darío and will likely encourage readers to search out his poetry to appreciate his genius.” – Shelf Awareness

Margarita Engle is the Cuban American author of many books including the verse novels Rima’s Rebellion; Your Heart, My Sky; With a Star in My Hand; The Surrender Tree, a Newbery Honor winner; The Lightning Dreamer; and Wild Dreamers, a Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Honor book. Her verse memoirs include Soaring Earth and Enchanted Air, which received the Pura Belpré Award, a Walter Dean Myers Award Honor, and was a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, among others. Her picture books include Drum Dream Girl, Dancing Hands, and The Flying Girl.

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