Where I'm From: Where Poems Come From By George Ella Lyon

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George Ella Lyon, Robert Hoskins (Photographer), Bob Hoskins (Photographer)

4.61Want to ReadBuy on AmazonRate this bookDiscusses themes, sound, rhythm, language, and line breaks of poetry using the author's own poems, and reveals her writing process.
    GenresPoetryNonfiction

98 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

 Book details & editions2 people are currently reading86 people want to read

About the author

Profile Image for George Ella Lyon.

George Ella Lyon

80 books74 followersFollowFollowGeorge Ella Lyon is a Kentucky author who has published in many genres, including picture books, poetry, juvenile novels, and articles.

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4.615 stars36 (64%)4 stars18 (32%)3 stars2 (3%)2 stars0 (0%)1 star0 (0%)Search review textFiltersEnglishDisplaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviewsProfile Image for Rita Quillen.Rita QuillenAuthor 12 books62 followersFollowFollowMarch 29, 2014Most productive writing exercise ever invented! Works with all ages.The 'Where I'm From' poem. Here's the wonderful poem that started the whole phenomenon....Profile Image for C..C.Author 11 books48 followersFollowFollowJuly 19, 2025I am reading this book for the second time, five years later. This time, I am truly taking time to savor this gift. Ms. Lyon offers a sweet introduction for the young poet. She covers why you might be inspired to write, how to help your reader connect, and gives great examples of poetry types. I love this little book and think it would encourage young minds and their parents. The book is lively, engaging, and fun. It is filled with nostalgia and quick stories about her life, love of nature, family times, and the good old days. This is a great book to help the young readers in your life smile!
    audio-quecreative-writingdevelopment ...more
Gina55 reviews1 followerFollowFollowReadApril 23, 2014“Where I'm from” book are poems that's inside of a book. It tells the story of the author’s home environment growing up; he utilizes strong imagery. For example, “I am from clothespins, from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride. I am from the dirt under the back porch. (Black, glistening, it tasted like beets.)” I can smell the Clorox bleach from a mile away. I love how the author created a template for future writers to feel comfortable writing. I hear lots of imagery that comes from this poem; my classmates who presented their piece of writing utilized lots of imagery. For example, Tyfanni stated, “Outside smelled like rain.” At that moment, I can imagine myself being outside right now in the rain. This particular poem builds classroom community because it gives one another a glimpse into a person’s background and their life experiences. I could use this piece of writing to show students that they are able to write poetry by telling personal stories or life experiences. I will explain to students that not every poem has to rhyme; when focusing on rhyming it may sometimes take away from the meaning of writing a poem (Depending on the individual). This is appropriate for all grade levels. By hearing these poems, it makes me closer to my students and understand what they like and who they are.
    reading-like-a-writer
Arissa53 reviewsFollowFollowApril 23, 2014Where I'm From by George Ella Lyon, an poem inside a book that tells the story of the home life of the author. It puts a realistic perspective on the memories a person has from when they were a child. Filled with imagery and a powerful voice the poem really puts us there and gives the audience the ability to see where a person actually came from. I loved this poem. I was different from ones I've ever heard previously. The author used the crafts of imagery and voice very well. I could almost smell the Clorox or the strong coffee. I could use this piece to show children that they can write poetry by simply telling their personal stories. Not every line in the poem has to rhyme. This could give me a sense of who my students are and they could share these pieces to learn about one another.
    reading-like-a-writer
Profile Image for Katie Johnson.Katie Johnson21 reviews1 followerFollowFollowDecember 13, 2016"Where I'm From" poems force students to think about their communities and the direct impact those communities have on their day to day life. Using George Ella Lyon's poem as a template or mentor text for their own creations sets the tone of the activity and allows students to delve as deep or shallow as they wish. Using Where I'm From poems as an introduction to a unit about voice and how poets use their work to reflect on their own lives allows students to form a bond with poetry and feel the same feelings famous poets have felt when they present their own work. This activity also allows students to learn about one another and teachers to get a glimpse into what their students are facing at home.
    poetry
Cheryl272 reviews1 followerFollowFollowOctober 1, 2013This is a tiny little book of terrific poems, but what makes it fun is that the author gives you somebackground to the story and structure of each poem, so when you read the poem it has immediate meaning.Ashley105 reviewsFollowFollowApril 26, 2011Not for younger children. Great book to give leads and ideas for writing in writers work shop. Gives great descriptive detail.
    teaching-writing
Profile Image for Jennifer.Jennifer2,418 reviews14 followersFollowFollowMay 1, 2016This is a gem about how to write poetry from your heart and your experiences. Touching poetry intermixed with advice about writing your own. Profile Image for Branden.Branden20 reviewsFollowFollowReadApril 25, 2017This collection contains the "Where I'm From" poem that we've all probably seen in one form or another. In this poem, she describes the home she came from, the people she grew up with, and the beliefs they instilled in her, all of which contribute to her identity.Filling in parts of this poem has become a common exercise in schools; it's a common mentor text and I can have my students do so in class.
    poems
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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