Rising Stars: New Young Voices in Poetry
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
An exciting collaboration between Otter-Barry Books and Pop Up Projects introduces new voices in poetry for 10-14 years old. Rising Stars, sponsored by Arts Council England's Grant for the Arts programme, is a poetry anthology showcasing the work of five debut poets from diverse backgrounds, all aged 25 and under. Each poet presents eight poems, with a wide range of themes and moods. The poets will participate in workshop projects with Pop Up's partner schools, culminating in a reading and writing festival. Black and white illustrations are by final year students from Birmingham City University's illustration course, and Joelle Taylor, founder and Artistic Director of SLAMbassadors UK, is acting as a consultant to Rising Stars.
Age
9-12
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What emotions do you feel when you read these poems? Can you relate to any of the words or feelings expressed by the poets?
Which poem is your favorite and why? What part of it stands out to you the most?
How do you think the poet's experiences might be similar or different from yours? What did you learn about someone else's perspective?
If you could ask the poet one question about their poem, what would it be?
Can you think of a time when you felt like expressing yourself in a poem? What would you write about?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about each poem, validating their responses to foster an open dialogue. Share your own interpretations and feelings about the poetry to model reflective thinking and deepen the discussion. Ask your child to think creatively by imagining their own poetic contributions or modifying existing poems to represent their experiences. Facilitate connections between the poems and your child’s everyday life to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the poetic themes. Use praise to encourage your child’s curiosity and insights, highlighting both the emotional and intellectual aspects of engaging with poetry.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through diverse voices and experiences depicted in the poems, children learn to empathize with different perspectives and emotions.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this understanding in real-life by recognizing and respecting differences among their peers, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Self-expression
Explanation: The book showcases a variety of poetic styles, encouraging children to explore and express their own thoughts and feelings creatively.
Real-World Application: Children can use poetry or creative writing as a tool to express themselves in school assignments or personal diaries, fostering emotional intelligence and confidence.
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Many poems in the collection highlight themes of overcoming challenges and persisting despite difficulties, teaching children about resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in a child's life when facing academic challenges or personal setbacks, reminding them to persist and maintain a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for diversity
Explanation: The book includes poets from various backgrounds, imparting a lesson on the importance of cultural diversity and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children can show appreciation for diversity by engaging with and learning from classmates from different cultures and backgrounds, enriching their social experiences.
Example Lesson: Power of words
Explanation: Through eloquent and impactful poetry, children learn how powerful words can be in expressing ideas and triggering emotions.
Real-World Application: This understanding can be utilized by children to enhance their communication skills, whether in oral presentations, writing essays, or simply sharing their thoughts with friends.