A Geographical Tour of Literary America

The Grand Tour of Literary Landmarks resulted from my students' success with another project that we called "Poetic License with THE AMAZING RACE." This new journey also begins and ends in my students' hometown. Chosen writers are specific to our curriculum and texts; however, teachers can adapt new selections to their students' needs. Side images are their original work. Photo images at each destination go directly to official sites or to the slideshows of my own travel photos. The main sources of written material here are www.Poets.org and Adventures in American Literature, Heritage Edition and Pegasus Edition.

Logan, Utah

On the literary map, travel from Hailey, Idaho, to Logan, Utah.

Calculate:

# _____________ Miles to Logan, Utah.

$ _____________ Cost for Gasoline to Logan, Utah.

Visit May Swenson at www.Poets.org and fill-in-the-blanks.

"May Swenson was born Anna Thilda May Swenson on May 28, 1913 in Logan, Utah. Her parents were ___________________, and her father was a professor of mechanical engineering at Utah State University. English was her second language, her family having spoken mostly Swedish in their home. Influenced early on by ________________, she kept journals as a young girl, in which she wrote in multiple genres."

"Four months before her death, Swenson wrote: 'The best poetry has its roots in the subconscious to a great degree. Youth, naivety, reliance on instinct more than learning and method, a sense of freedom and play, even trust in randomness, is necessary to the ___________________________________.' "

Read about May Swenson as a Utah poet who was an observer of nature. Here, read (or listen to) "April Light."