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These truthful, celebratory, inspiring essays show us how the writers and teachers of InsideOut have been creating sparks and lighting fires for young people in Detroit for two decades. The pieces, like the kids themselves, have grit, spirit, resilience, the breath of life.--Edward Hirsch president, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Educators nationwide are desperate for an antidote to student apathy and disengagement. InsideOut has the solution-give students compelling texts and invite them to respond to compelling tasks. The work described here goes beyond college and career readiness. These teachers are preparing students for life!--Carol Jago longtime English teacher and past president of the National Council of Teachers of English This luminous book speaks to the transformative power of poetry. Its brilliant, brave writing is poignant, generous, and deeply observant. Essays by talented InsideOut teachers with poems by their students will engage readers interested in literary arts, urban youth, learning communities, teaching and justice, and Detroit's vitality.--Susan Opotow professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center, City University of New York As impressive as the project it documents, To Light a Fire: 20 Years with the InsideOut Literary Arts Project is part of the outstanding Wayne State University Press 'Made in Michigan Writers Series' and an exceptionally well organized and presented compendium of twenty-two erudite and informative article essays that provide exceptional insight and an occasional inspiration for the reader. Very highly recommended for community and academic library Literary Arts Education reference collections arid supplemental studies curriculums.-- (11/01/2015) Throughout To Light a Fire, adult and student writers reverberate as interchangeable mentors and mentees with emotional connections, heartfelt expressions, and emotional and provocative messages. Dr. Terry Blackhawk's vision for InsideOut and City Wide Poets, along with Peter Markus, writers-in-residence, teachers, and administrators, willingly nurture students' minds, hearts, and souls.--Toni S. Walters, PhD professor emerita of reading and language arts, Oakland University To Light a Fire is an inspiration, a blessing, and a necessity. The various essays included serve as a guide, a success report, and a challenge to those who read it to initiate a project like InsideOut in schools throughout the country that have never offered their students the wonderful opportunity of transforming their experiences, imaginary and real, into literary art. This collection wisely begins with a chronology of events that led to the creation, development, and expansion of the InsideOut Literary Arts Project. But years before she founded this project in 1994, Dr. Terry Blackhawk was already incorporating some of its features by encouraging her students to write and perfect their poems. She also invited professional poets to her classes to share some of their own work and involve her students in discussions of what makes a poem a poem. I am happy for the publication of To Light a Fire and all the helpful information it contains. It is my hope that it will serve as an incentive to expand the program locally and nationally so that thousands of uninvolved students on all grade levels will discover how to bring to the surface the hidden poet in all of us.--Naomi Long Madgett poet laureate for the City of Detroit and author of Pilgrim Journey Terry Blackhawk's discovery of how art matters can't help but excite and inspire. Stories she shares of her experimental, ever-evolving InsideOut project remind us how and why a wrong-headed attitude toward the arts can sink a whole nation's boat. Through the poetry, storytelling, playwriting, and performances that she and other caring, recognized Detroit artists practice and profess, Blackhawk's high school and other institutional students broke past barriers that border the heart. In Jack London's enduring short story To Build a Fire, the narrator says, 'He worked slowly and carefully, keenly aware of his danger.' To Light a Fire reignites that very same spark and flame. How much longer can we go on killing off, torturing, or warehousing our pitifully needed long-distance runners? Terry Blackhawk knows. This powerful anthology delivers.--Al Young former poet laureate of California In her introduction to the anthology To Light a Fire, InsideOut Literary Arts Project founder Terry Blackhawk says, 'It's always an honor when students open up their lives for their teachers.' Blackhawk and her colleagues honor their readers by opening up their Detroit classrooms and telling their stories-stories of creating a safe space for creative expression by students, and stories of how those students inspired the authors' own poetry. The teaching methods vary, but the passion and compassion of the remarkable artists who have taught with InsideOut come through on every page of this collection, which illuminates a path for other writers who want to engage young people with the written word.--Amy Swauger director, Teachers & Writers Collaborative

These truthful, celebratory, inspiring essays show us how the writers and teachers of InsideOut have been creating sparks and lighting fires for young people in Detroit for two decades. The pieces, like the kids themselves, have grit, spirit, resilience, the breath of life.--Edward Hirsch president, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation This luminous book speaks to the transformative power of poetry. Its brilliant, brave writing is poignant, generous, and deeply observant. Essays by talented InsideOut teachers with poems by their students will engage readers interested in literary arts, urban youth, learning communities, teaching and justice, and Detroit's vitality.--Susan Opotow professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center, City University of New York Educators nationwide are desperate for an antidote to student apathy and disengagement. InsideOut has the solution-give students compelling texts and invite them to respond to compelling tasks. The work described here goes beyond college and career readiness. These teachers are preparing students for life!--Carol Jago longtime English teacher and past president of the National Council of Teachers of English Throughout To Light a Fire, adult and student writers reverberate as interchangeable mentors and mentees with emotional connections, heartfelt expressions, and emotional and provocative messages. Dr. Terry Blackhawk's vision for InsideOut and City Wide Poets, along with Peter Markus, writers-in-residence, teachers, and administrators, willingly nurture students' minds, hearts, and souls.--Toni S. Walters, PhD professor emerita of reading and language arts, Oakland University In her introduction to the anthology To Light a Fire, InsideOut Literary Arts Project founder Terry Blackhawk says, 'It's always an honor when students open up their lives for their teachers.' Blackhawk and her colleagues honor their readers by opening up their Detroit classrooms and telling their stories-stories of creating a safe space for creative expression by students, and stories of how those students inspired the authors' own poetry. The teaching methods vary, but the passion and compassion of the remarkable artists who have taught with InsideOut come through on every page of this collection, which illuminates a path for other writers who want to engage young people with the written word.--Amy Swauger director, Teachers & Writers Collaborative As impressive as the project it documents, To Light a Fire: 20 Years with the InsideOut Literary Arts Project is part of the outstanding Wayne State University Press 'Made in Michigan Writers Series' and an exceptionally well organized and presented compendium of twenty-two erudite and informative article essays that provide exceptional insight and an occasional inspiration for the reader. Very highly recommended for community and academic library Literary Arts Education reference collections arid supplemental studies curriculums.-- (11/01/2015) To Light a Fire is an inspiration, a blessing, and a necessity. The various essays included serve as a guide, a success report, and a challenge to those who read it to initiate a project like InsideOut in schools throughout the country that have never offered their students the wonderful opportunity of transforming their experiences, imaginary and real, into literary art. This collection wisely begins with a chronology of events that led to the creation, development, and expansion of the InsideOut Literary Arts Project. But years before she founded this project in 1994, Dr. Terry Blackhawk was already incorporating some of its features by encouraging her students to write and perfect their poems. She also invited professional poets to her classes to share some of their own work and involve her students in discussions of what makes a poem a poem. I am happy for the publication of To Light a Fire and all the helpful information it contains. It is my hope that it will serve as an incentive to expand the program locally and nationally so that thousands of uninvolved students on all grade levels will discover how to bring to the surface the hidden poet in all of us.--Naomi Long Madgett poet laureate for the City of Detroit and author of Pilgrim Journey Terry Blackhawk's discovery of how art matters can't help but excite and inspire. Stories she shares of her experimental, ever-evolving InsideOut project remind us how and why a wrong-headed attitude toward the arts can sink a whole nation's boat. Through the poetry, storytelling, playwriting, and performances that she and other caring, recognized Detroit artists practice and profess, Blackhawk's high school and other institutional students broke past barriers that border the heart. In Jack London's enduring short story To Build a Fire, the narrator says, 'He worked slowly and carefully, keenly aware of his danger.' To Light a Fire reignites that very same spark and flame. How much longer can we go on killing off, torturing, or warehousing our pitifully needed long-distance runners? Terry Blackhawk knows. This powerful anthology delivers.--Al Young former poet laureate of California

These truthful, celebratory, inspiring essays show us how the writers and teachers of InsideOut have been creating sparks and lighting fires for young people in Detroit for two decades. The pieces, like the kids themselves, have grit, spirit, resilience, the breath of life.--Edward Hirsch president, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Educators nationwide are desperate for an antidote to student apathy and disengagement. InsideOut has the solution-give students compelling texts and invite them to respond to compelling tasks. The work described here goes beyond college and career readiness. These teachers are preparing students for life!--Carol Jago longtime English teacher and past president of the National Council of Teachers of English This luminous book speaks to the transformative power of poetry. Its brilliant, brave writing is poignant, generous, and deeply observant. Essays by talented InsideOut teachers with poems by their students will engage readers interested in literary arts, urban youth, learning communities, teaching and justice, and Detroit's vitality.--Susan Opotow professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center, City University of New York As impressive as the project it documents, To Light a Fire: 20 Years with the InsideOut Literary Arts Project is part of the outstanding Wayne State University Press 'Made in Michigan Writers Series' and an exceptionally well organized and presented compendium of twenty-two erudite and informative article essays that provide exceptional insight and an occasional inspiration for the reader. Very highly recommended for community and academic library Literary Arts Education reference collections arid supplemental studies curriculums.-- (11/01/2015) To Light a Fire is an inspiration, a blessing, and a necessity. The various essays included serve as a guide, a success report, and a challenge to those who read it to initiate a project like InsideOut in schools throughout the country that have never offered their students the wonderful opportunity of transforming their experiences, imaginary and real, into literary art. This collection wisely begins with a chronology of events that led to the creation, development, and expansion of the InsideOut Literary Arts Project. But years before she founded this project in 1994, Dr. Terry Blackhawk was already incorporating some of its features by encouraging her students to write and perfect their poems. She also invited professional poets to her classes to share some of their own work and involve her students in discussions of what makes a poem a poem. I am happy for the publication of To Light a Fire and all the helpful information it contains. It is my hope that it will serve as an incentive to expand the program locally and nationally so that thousands of uninvolved students on all grade levels will discover how to bring to the surface the hidden poet in all of us.--Naomi Long Madgett poet laureate for the City of Detroit and author of Pilgrim Journey Throughout To Light a Fire, adult and student writers reverberate as interchangeable mentors and mentees with emotional connections, heartfelt expressions, and emotional and provocative messages. Dr. Terry Blackhawk's vision for InsideOut and City Wide Poets, along with Peter Markus, writers-in-residence, teachers, and administrators, willingly nurture students' minds, hearts, and souls.--Toni S. Walters, PhD professor emerita of reading and language arts, Oakland University In her introduction to the anthology To Light a Fire, InsideOut Literary Arts Project founder Terry Blackhawk says, 'It's always an honor when students open up their lives for their teachers.' Blackhawk and her colleagues honor their readers by opening up their Detroit classrooms and telling their stories-stories of creating a safe space for creative expression by students, and stories of how those students inspired the authors' own poetry. The teaching methods vary, but the passion and compassion of the remarkable artists who have taught with InsideOut come through on every page of this collection, which illuminates a path for other writers who want to engage young people with the written word.--Amy Swauger director, Teachers & Writers Collaborative Terry Blackhawk's discovery of how art matters can't help but excite and inspire. Stories she shares of her experimental, ever-evolving InsideOut project remind us how and why a wrong-headed attitude toward the arts can sink a whole nation's boat. Through the poetry, storytelling, playwriting, and performances that she and other caring, recognized Detroit artists practice and profess, Blackhawk's high school and other institutional students broke past barriers that border the heart. In Jack London's enduring short story To Build a Fire, the narrator says, 'He worked slowly and carefully, keenly aware of his danger.' To Light a Fire reignites that very same spark and flame. How much longer can we go on killing off, torturing, or warehousing our pitifully needed long-distance runners? Terry Blackhawk knows. This powerful anthology delivers.--Al Young former poet laureate of California

Educators nationwide are desperate for an antidote to student apathy and disengagement. InsideOut has the solution-give students compelling texts and invite them to respond to compelling tasks. The work described here goes beyond college and career readiness. These teachers are preparing students for life!--Carol Jago longtime English teacher and past president of the National Council of Teachers of English These truthful, celebratory, inspiring essays show us how the writers and teachers of InsideOut have been creating sparks and lighting fires for young people in Detroit for two decades. The pieces, like the kids themselves, have grit, spirit, resilience, the breath of life.--Edward Hirsch president, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation This luminous book speaks to the transformative power of poetry. Its brilliant, brave writing is poignant, generous, and deeply observant. Essays by talented InsideOut teachers with poems by their students will engage readers interested in literary arts, urban youth, learning communities, teaching and justice, and Detroit's vitality.--Susan Opotow professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center, City University of New York To Light a Fire is an inspiration, a blessing, and a necessity. The various essays included serve as a guide, a success report, and a challenge to those who read it to initiate a project like InsideOut in schools throughout the country that have never offered their students the wonderful opportunity of transforming their experiences, imaginary and real, into literary art. This collection wisely begins with a chronology of events that led to the creation, development, and expansion of the InsideOut Literary Arts Project. But years before she founded this project in 1994, Dr. Terry Blackhawk was already incorporating some of its features by encouraging her students to write and perfect their poems. She also invited professional poets to her classes to share some of their own work and involve her students in discussions of what makes a poem a poem. I am happy for the publication of To Light a Fire and all the helpful information it contains. It is my hope that it will serve as an incentive to expand the program locally and nationally so that thousands of uninvolved students on all grade levels will discover how to bring to the surface the hidden poet in all of us.--Naomi Long Madgett poet laureate for the City of Detroit and author of Pilgrim Journey As impressive as the project it documents, To Light a Fire: 20 Years with the InsideOut Literary Arts Project is part of the outstanding Wayne State University Press 'Made in Michigan Writers Series' and an exceptionally well organized and presented compendium of twenty-two erudite and informative article essays that provide exceptional insight and an occasional inspiration for the reader. Very highly recommended for community and academic library Literary Arts Education reference collections arid supplemental studies curriculums.-- (11/01/2015) In her introduction to the anthology To Light a Fire, InsideOut Literary Arts Project founder Terry Blackhawk says, 'It's always an honor when students open up their lives for their teachers.' Blackhawk and her colleagues honor their readers by opening up their Detroit classrooms and telling their stories-stories of creating a safe space for creative expression by students, and stories of how those students inspired the authors' own poetry. The teaching methods vary, but the passion and compassion of the remarkable artists who have taught with InsideOut come through on every page of this collection, which illuminates a path for other writers who want to engage young people with the written word.--Amy Swauger director, Teachers & Writers Collaborative Terry Blackhawk's discovery of how art matters can't help but excite and inspire. Stories she shares of her experimental, ever-evolving InsideOut project remind us how and why a wrong-headed attitude toward the arts can sink a whole nation's boat. Through the poetry, storytelling, playwriting, and performances that she and other caring, recognized Detroit artists practice and profess, Blackhawk's high school and other institutional students broke past barriers that border the heart. In Jack London's enduring short story To Build a Fire, the narrator says, 'He worked slowly and carefully, keenly aware of his danger.' To Light a Fire reignites that very same spark and flame. How much longer can we go on killing off, torturing, or warehousing our pitifully needed long-distance runners? Terry Blackhawk knows. This powerful anthology delivers.--Al Young former poet laureate of California Throughout To Light a Fire, adult and student writers reverberate as interchangeable mentors and mentees with emotional connections, heartfelt expressions, and emotional and provocative messages. Dr. Terry Blackhawk's vision for InsideOut and City Wide Poets, along with Peter Markus, writers-in-residence, teachers, and administrators, willingly nurture students' minds, hearts, and souls.--Toni S. Walters, PhD professor emerita of reading and language arts, Oakland University

Author Information

Terry Blackhawk is the founding director of InsideOut Literary Arts Project and a widely awarded educator as well as a poet. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks and four full-length collections of poetry including Escape Artist,, winner of the John Ciardi Prize, and The Light Between (Wayne State University Press, 2012). She was named a Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellow in Literary Arts in 2013. Peter Markus is the senior writer with the InsideOut Literary Arts Project. He is the author of the novel Bob, or Man on Boat, as well as five other books of fiction, the most recent of which is The Fish and the Not Fish. He was named a Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellow in Literary Arts in 2012. Contributors Include: Matthew Olzmann, Norene Cashen, Robert Fanning, Jamaal May, Suzanne Scarfone, John Rybicki, Anna Clark, Nandi Comer, Gloria Nixon-John, Cindy Frenkel, francine j. harris, Kristine Uyeda, Isaac Miller, Kristin Palm, Stacy Parker Le Melle, Alise Alousi, Chace Morris, Anita Schmaltz, Thomas Park, Julia Putnam, Aricka Foreman, Terry Blackhawk, Peter Markus

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