"Under a Soprano Sky" is indeed food for thought. In this collection, Sanchez speaks on a variety of subjects, ranging from political to personal. She captures her reader with a brilliant display of verbal acrobatics, and uses her linguistic prowess to minister to her audience on (arguably) the most powerful of human emotions - love, anger and fear. There is quite a variety of poetry in this collection, ranging from poems that read like prose, to haiku. The wide variety of subjects and styles contained in "Under a Soprano Sky" showcase Ms. Sanchez's skills quite well. Of all the Sanchez works that I have read to date, this is by far the most colorful, compelling and comprehensive of them all. So, whether you are have been a fan of Sanchez's for years and are familiar with a number of her works, or you are looking for your first Sanchez reader, "Under a Soprano Sky" is an excellent choice.

Ms. Sanchez paints a picture with her words. The words remind you of yourself, your mom, aunt, grandmother, friend or any woman you know who has experienced love, knows about the effect of drugs on family, lived through American wars, understands the experience and history at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and simply can relate to the African American woman's experience or whoever wants to know about it from one black woman's experience. This book is great reading.

Sonia Sanchez is the Queen of Haiku's. Though most of the poems in this collection are only three lines, they are so powerful. I have never been able to read three , four , or even six lines that are packed with so much fire and emotion. After reading this book, I wanted to burn all of my own works! This book is wonderful. There is so much passion and emotion here. I highly recommend it.

Sonia Sanchez is truly a brilliant author. This book is filled with poems of love and passion, as shown to the audience by Ms. Sanchez's sharp-yet-subtle verbal attacks. Many of the poems are short (haiku), but she effectively packs all of her emotion into very few words. Perhaps the most impressive characteristic of this book, is that each and every one of her poems seems to have a very personal aspect, regardless of the reader's sex, age, race or sexual orientation. She breaks love down to the lowest common denominator, and offers it to her audience in a way that we can all understand and appreciate. In "Like The Singing Coming Off the Drums," Sonia calls out to the romantic in all of us.

For a while I had stopped writing. I lost focus and inspiration. That time has passed now and this book..I picked up 2 days ago. This woman will delight you with words and Iam glad to have it in my collection. She writes of love with awe and want and hurt and all of those emotions that bring anyone to write about love. She has also introduced me again to the delight of haikus and tanka, making me realize how powerful they can be. Some may complain that the poems in this book are too short but if you want to read about love ..pure and truthful and raw then you will love the way Sanchez's words caress the page.

Beautiful, sad, and real; a poem within a book about her brother's death of AIDS and the feelings of her, her brother, his family, and his ancestors. Alternating voices, Sanchez turns the tragedy into a haunting beauty.

This is a great book for any age. This book is not to difficult to read. It is great for a little short reading each day. SHe has little short poems on each day that give you depth and insight without being to hard to understand. She also gives you something to think about through out the day. This is a good book.

This was okay, but take a look at Aloud: Voices from the Nuyorican Poets' Cafe. I read that book a few years ago, and still hold it one of my favorite books. I was hoping that this would be more of the same, but not quite.

Some poetry is hard to read on the page because it needs to be recited out loud. But poems like "A Poet is not a jukebox" by Dudley Randall are so tight they could be read out loud or on a page and still be flawless. Some of the poems were great! Others could've stayed in the poets head ("It's called Kings" by by Susana Cabanas). Overall, I thought the book was cool but the show is better by a long shot.

bum rush the page will be hailed as a classic in the years to come. Combining established poets like Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez with up and coming poets like Shaggy Flores, Mariposa and Thien Bao Phi. The subject matter is broad and the chapter titles read like a poem itself. From the foward by Sonia Sanchez
you know the ride will be better, every openign poem of each chapter will draw you in, asking for more, wanting you to write a poem, making you love the poem and understanding that poetry isn't only shakespeare and his sonnets. Bum Rush the Page will live in cirriculums for years to come. From Beau Sia's "Open Letter to the Entertainment Industry" to Bonafide Rojas"s "The Creed of a Graffiti Writer", these poems reflect poetry in the 21st century. Tony Medina and Louis Reyes Rivera have done justice to opening people's eyes on what poetry will always be, the voice of the people.

i like my poetry to be "literary." these poems here are more about "performance." i don't have anything against performance poetry. but at poetry slams, the emphasis is placed on style, not content. but i have heard poets who write great poetry, but can't read worth a damn, and reading is derrick's strength. his performance style is cross between gill-scott-heron and maya angelou; very dramatic, using his voice to great effect. if you can find it, get his cd called, " all that and a bag of words." and i'll bet you'll like it more than this book

As a young woman, fellow poet, and simply lover of poetry, I must say that this is by far one of the best books I have ever read. D-Knowledge is a gifted, eloquent writer who is able to tackle the world with such a ferocious, yet such a gentle touch. He can be sensitive and seductive, and then hard-core and fiery. His poems are easy to understand, yet they don't lack in the message. If you love the "griots" like Sanchez and Giovanni, then you can't help but love D-Knowledge. The brother is "all of that and a bag of words" and Hennaman is a must read for anyone who loves and appreciates poetry.

As a young woman, aspiring poet, and a simple lover of poetry, I must say that this is by far one of the best poetry books I have ever read. D-Knowledge is a gifted and eloquent writer who is able to tackle the world with a ferocious, yet gentle touch. He can be sensitive and seductive, then full of consciousness and fire. His poems are easy to understand, but they don't lack in message. If you love the "griots" like Giovanni and Sanchez, you can't help but love D-Knowledge. Hennaman is a must read for anyone who appreciates good poetry.

SHAKE LOOSE MY SKIN is a collection of Sonia Sanchez's poetry, past and present. Starting with 1978's I Have Been a Woman to a collection of her new recent pieces, Ms. Sanchez draws us into her unique world, one carrying a genuine wisdom and heartfelt soul. Several standouts in this collection include "Malcolm," "I Have Walked A Long Time," and "For Sweet Honey in the Rock." Each piece carries its own specific theme, style, and format and poetry fans and newcomers will not be disappointed with the offerings that lie within this book.

Shake Loose My Skin is a literary diamond from Ms. Sanchez. Her passion and style shine through her work and readers will enjoy this collection. Ms. Sanchez is one poet that truly stands out with a unique style that lies within her literary soul

Reviewed by Kanika (Nika) Wade

Not many people know it, but Sonia Sanchez actually taught one of the first Black Studies courses in the nation. She was also a key participant in the Black Arts Movement's during the 1960s with Amiri Baraka and several others. Her career, spanning nearly four decades, is absolutely amazing and the gift that she has given to succeeding generations is invaluable. Sonia's words are like food for the soul. They are Spirit-full and resonant with the myriad voices and influences of our Ancestors. She speaks directly to the spiritual and cultural needs of the people, lifting as she climbs, beckoning us to become whole; to root out from the Earth such evils like racism, sexism, elitism, classism, and homophobia. One cannot read Sonia's words without being moved or touched deeply to the core. She inspires us to free ourselves from our victim mentality and, more importantly, she teaches us how to 'wake.' Every poem incites one to act; to love just a little bit better or deeper; to help to maintain this Earth. Sonia raises the consciousness of all of her readers and listeners. As poet, Maya Angelou, might note, she has truly helped to make the world a much more peaceful place to live in. I love ALL of Sonia's books of poetry and recommend her to anyone who is interested in reading more about this beautiful, humble Spirit, this legendary icon and living legend. :) Catch a piece of Sonia's "fire," step into your own Divine destiny, and finally be made whole.

She paints pictures with the words and sounds in this book. I have always loved her work.