13. Nathalia Crane — The Janitor’s Boy and Other Poems

Child poet Nathalia Crane

In this week’s episode, Amy and Kim discuss the life and work of controversial child poet Nathalia Crane, whose poetry began receiving critical attention in 1924, when she was only 9 years old. The Janitor’s Boy and Other Poems was published when she was just 11. Was she the real thing or a brilliant hoax? Hear what Dorothy Parker and other luminaries had to say about Nathalia’s poetry and get the opinion of another 11-year old girl, Amy’s daughter, Julia, who makes a special guest appearance to read one of Nathalia’s poems.

Discussed in this episode: 

The Janitor’s Boy and Other Poems by Nathalia Crane

Dorothy Parker on Nathalia Crane

Emily Dickinson

“The Sunken Garden” (Vanity Fair, 1926)

Natalie Merchant Performing “The Janitor’s Boy” (YouTube)

“Nathalia Crane Wed to Professor” (The New York Times)