Dancing in Odessa

Winner of the 2002 Tupelo Press Dorset Prize, this magical book of poems written by a Russian immigrant who came to America only a few years ago without knowing a single word of English, draws readers in ineluctably. Although a recent arrival, Kaminsky's ear for the music in English is better than most poets born here. As readers quickly realize upon opening the book, Kaminsky's poetry isn't just beautiful-it is unforgettable. An undisputed rising poetic star, Ilya Kaminsky was born in Odessa, former Soviet Union. He has already received the Ruth Lilly fellowship from Poetry magazine and was the youngest person appointed Writer in Residence at Phillips Exeter Academy. Kaminsky, who is also almost totally deaf, will finish his law degree at the University of California in 2004.