Fishtailing Paperback – September 1, 2010

I'm a high-school teacher, and the voices in Fishtailing are the voices you hear in the hallways - and the voices you don't hear but know are there. Ms. Phillips captures the emotional turmoil of young men and women who are shot (by their own or other's actions) into high trajectories beyond the reach of help or counsel. We can only pray that they learn to fly before they crash. Some do. Some don't. Fishtailing reflects that reality. The poetry is engaging and unobtrusive. It never fouls the narrative with baroque phrasing or lyric ambition. This is simply a compelling story told through clear, effective poetry, and by the time you put this excellent book down, you will believe that poetry was the best way to tell this tale.

A unique novel which weaves the story of high school student drama through poetry. A quick read.