![]() ![]() These poems never flinch and the best of them (‘The Only English Kid’, ‘In H&M’, ‘Janine I/II’) leave us caring for the kids as much as she does.' - Carl Tomlinson, Poetry News (Best poetry books of the year 2021) Anyone who commits to writing, and asks the reader to commit to reading, 66 sonnets has got to have plenty to say. This book reads very much like a labour of love. The book is generous in its compassion, and in love with the idea of learning, in the classroom and outside it.’ – Rishi Dastidar, The Guardian (Best poetry books of 2021) ‘Hannah Lowe’s The Kids, inspired by her time teaching in an inner London sixth form, is a series of sonnets full of joy. 'Hannah Lowe's brilliant and entertaining book of sonnets, The Kids, is one of the most humorous and tender collections of recent times.' - Seán Hewitt, The Irish Times (The year in verse: the best poetry of 2021) All readers will find something of themselves here.' - Costa Poetry Award Judges Rishi Dastidar, Ian Duhig and Maya Jaggi A contemporary book that buzzes with life while re-energising the sonnet that Shakespeare would recognise. ![]() A page turner about the experience of teaching and being taught, it made us want to punch the air with joy. You will love it!’ - Reeta Chakrabarti, Chair of Judges, 2021 Costa Book of the Year It’s crafted and skilful but also accessible. ‘Hannah Lowe’s The Kids is a book to fall in love with - it’s joyous, it’s warm and it’s completely universal. These boisterous and musical poems explore the universal experience of what it is to be taught, to learn and to teach. Social class, gender and race – and their fundamental intersection with education – are investigated with an ever critical and introspective eye. But the poems go further, meeting her own child self as she comes of age in the riotous 80s and 90s, later bearing witness to her small son learning to negotiate contemporary London.Īcross these deeply felt poems, Lowe interrogates the acts of teaching and learning with empathy and humour. At the heart of this book of compassionate and energetic sonnets are fictionalised portraits of ‘The Kids’, the students she nurtured. Hannah Lowe taught for a decade in an inner-city London sixth form. Winner of the 2021 Costa Book of the Year
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