contains an array of poetic devices such as assonance, alliteration and rhyme which clearly define this as prose poetry.


The long history of poetry as a medium and the influence of the classics of yesterday on the poets of tomorrow can be seen in Michaela Morgan’s clever anthology Wonderland: Alice in Poetry (Macmillan). The collection not only shares a range of Lewis Carroll’s original works but also the poetry that inspired him, such as the familiar The Star, more widely known now in its nursery rhyme form ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’. It also brings together a range of new and unique poems by famous names such as Roger McGough and John Agard and inspiring new voices such as Shauna Darling Robertson.


Joshua Seigal’s Read Me, is a wonderful reflection on the instructions Alice receives in Wonderland and their subsequent results, cleverly enhanced by the presentation of the text on the page in this concrete poem. It is also a powerful and emotive insight into the power of poetry on a reader; ‘I am a poem. Read me and you’ll grow’.


Older children could begin to explore poetry as giving them a voice on issues pertinent to themselves and society in poems such as Shauna Darling Robertson’s Violent Vision and Cheryl Moskowitz’s On Growing Up. Deeper discussions around personal connections can take place after reading such poems, exploring the more profound messages contained within.


The incredible success of last year’s CLiPPA and Carnegie Medal winner Sarah Crossan has enabled the verse novel to become a more widely profiled form. Kwame Alexander’s Booked (Andersen Press) is a poignant and expertly crafted narrative in verse, showcasing a variety of poetic forms.


Blackout poetry is an incredibly engaging way of inspiring children to find meaning in language. Alexander uses the technique to great effect in sharing the struggle of his lead character, Nick Hall, with engaging in reading the classic Huckleberry Finn, ending up with the words ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn reads jest (sic) like a funeral orgie I shoved it down the t o i l e t.’ The power of poetry and in particular the verse novel on reluctant or disengaged readers can be seen in the transformation of Nick’s attitude at the end of the story and his appreciation of the form. He relishes ‘a lot of white space on the page’ and in the poem of the same name, describes Karen Hesse’s powerful verse novel Out of the Dust as ‘unputdownable’.


Readers in upper primary and lower secondary will empathise with the issues Nick faces, not only in the midst of his parent’s separation, but also in fitting in at school. Poems such as Stand Up and Back to Life speak to very real issues that children face on their journey into adulthood and discussions around these can help them reflect on their own behaviour and others around them through the exploration of issues faced by characters they are emotionally engaged with.


Clever changes in pace and rhythm showcase the highs of Nick’s life on the soccer field in poems like Gameplay and the title poem Booked, against moments of despair in poems like Chimichangas. Form choice is used to great effect,


illustrating how this helps


enhance meaning. The use of Haiku for poems illustrating text messages between Nick and his mother in Texts to Mom helps give a sense of the staccato nature of the voice and enhances the sense of detachment between the characters.


Whoever scoops the ultimate prize at the award ceremony at The National Theatre in July, it is clear that we are winning in the drive to publish and celebrate a diverse variety of children’s poetry – the best prize of all!


A wide range of resources including videos of shortlisted poets, teaching notes and information and information about poetic forms and devices can be found on CLPE’s free poetryline website: https:// www.clpe.org.uk/poetryline


Schools wishing to shadow this year’s award and enter the shadowing competition for a chance to perform on the stage of the Olivier Theatre at the award ceremony in July alongside the shortlisted poets can find information about the shadowing scheme at: https://www.clpe.org.uk/aboutus/news/register-now-free-clippa- 2017-shadowing-scheme


A summary of CLPE’s findings on Poetry in Primary Schools can be downloaded at: https://www.clpe.org.uk/library-and-resources


The CLiPPA shortlist:


Booked, Kwame Alexander, Andersen Press 978-1-7834-4465-6, £7.99 pbk


Zim Zam Zoom!, James Carter, illustrated by Nicola Colton, Otter-Barry Books, 978-1-9109-5954-1, 311.99 pbk


Wonderland: Alice in Poetry, Michaela Morgan (editor), Macmillan, 978-1-5098-1884-6, £5.99 pbk


Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots, Michael Rosen, illustrated by David Tazzyman, Bloomsbury, 978-1-4088-7343-4, £14.99 hbk


Moon Juice, Kate Wakeling, illustrated by Elina Braslina, The Emma Press, 978-1-9101-3949-3, £8.50


Charlotte Hacking is the Learning Programmes Leader and member of the CLiPPA judging panel at CLPE, an independent UK charity dedicated to helping schools develop literacy learning that transforms lives.


Books for Keeps No.224 May 2017 5


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