Professor Girmay's New Book Is A National Poetry Month Pick by Oprah.com, NBC News

The poetry collection was recognized by critic Rigoberto González in the Los Angeles Times and NBCNews.com, where the writer dubbed it one of five exceptional new books of poetry by Latino poets.

The Chicago Review of Books calls the collection "a haunting, blistering, vital examination of the African diaspora from 15th-century slave ships to Neil deGrasse Tyson."

Oprah.com recommended the book as one of five to pick up for National Poetry Month.

González describes The Black Maria as "a blessing to the living and the dead, a tribute to lives lost, a song of hope, perseverance and gratitude flourishing despite class conflict and racial strife." 

This term at Hampshire, Girmay, assistant professor of poetry, is teaching a Poetry Workshop and a Creative Writing Seminar. She received her B.A. in documentary studies from Connecticut College and an M.F.A. in poetry from New York University.

Below are links to select media coverage to date.

NBCNews.com

Chicago Review of Books

Oprah.com

Hear Professor Girmay read two poems at Poets & Writers