Menu Menu Marilyn Nelson is the author of numerous books, including The Cachoeira Tales and Other Poems, The Fields of Praise, and Magnificat. Her books for young readers include How I Discovered Poetry, Carver: A Life in Poems, and A Wreath for Emmett Till. Her honors include three National Book Award Finalist medals, the Frost Medal, the Poets’ Prize, and the Boston Globe / Hornbook Award. Nelson is an emeritus professor at the University of Connecticut, the former poet laureate of Connecticut, and founder and director of Soul Mountain Retreat.