I still can’t believe that The Poetry Coaster is
written by a ten-year-old, a short yet spectacular lesson in poetry. In a tone
that is jovial and light and that doesn’t miss in humor, this young author
delivers a lyrical work that instructs and entertains. I have written for many
years, and there are poetic forms I never knew existed. Lucas Raney breaks them
down with concise definitions and takes readers on a lyrical ride that
describes the rollercoaster experience. From loop-de-loops to snack disasters,
from the nervousness of standing in line for a rollercoaster ride to the
hilarity of moving up and feeling free, he introduces forms like diamante,
haiku, two tone, extended metaphor, personal, and more. My eleven-year-old
daughter read this to me and enjoyed it. And she started sharing her personal
poems with me.
This collection is personal, even intimate, and I enjoyed
the way the young poet shares his thoughts, experiences, and emotions. For
instance, “My heart is pounding / At the top of the huge drop, / And down we
plummet.” In “Two Tone,” he continues to explore his emotions of fear: “When I
step into the seat I'm a pale white, / Waiting for what horrors lay ahead.” He
describes how he transforms from a “pale white” to a “vibrant red,” screaming
in delight, to “a pale green.” This is a fascinating metaphor for the
rollercoaster experience, and it is, indeed, resonant. The imagery is strong,
and there are intriguing metaphorical undertones that anchor this poetry. The
Poetry Coaster contains the same recurrent themes and features a ride that
continues through every page, and I enjoyed the simplicity in the delivery and
the overall rollercoaster imagery. The illustrations complement the text in a
way that young readers will marvel at the experience. Just remember how to ride
a rollercoaster—and this is from the author: do not eat before your ride,
wait in line patiently, locate a trashcan in advance, look terrified, be
anxious going uphill, scream throughout the right, put your hand up in the air,
exit to the right, and relocate a trashcan. Now, won't you say there is so much
fun in this slim book?
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