Cowboys

Harrison, David. L. 2012. COWBOYS: VOICES IN THE WESTERN WIND. Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press. ISBN 9781590788776 [Suggested Grade Levels 2-6]

REVIEW
Cowboys: Voices in the Western Wind is a compilation of twenty-two free verse poems by award-winning poet David Harrison. The poems highlight the unique customs, vocabulary, and challenges of traditional cowboys, including girls and slaves who have worked the trail. Dan Burr’s beautiful illustrations enhance the imagery of the written word. In this second collaboration with poet David Harrison, illustrator Dan Burr focuses his artistic talent on bringing to life the many cowboys of the past and present through realistic portraits in full color. An  afterword provides some helpful historical background.

CONNECTIONS
Compare this book with the companion collection, PIRATES (also by Harrison and Burr). How are they alike and how are they different?

Practice reading favorite selections of poems aloud. Select music to play in the background and display the illustration that accompanies the poem. If available, include some simple props such as a rope, hat, kerchief, etc.

RELATED BOOKS

For more poetry that captures contemporary cowboy ways or life in the west throughout history, seek out these titles:

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. HAND IN HAND: AN AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH POETRY. ISBN 9780671733155

Flood, Nancy Bo. COWBOY UP! RIDE THE NAVAJO RODEO. ISBN 9781590788936

By Sylvia Vardell