She is Fierce: Brave, Bold and Beautiful Poems by Women

Poetry is enjoying something of a revival at present with verse novels by writers such as Sarah Crossan and Kwame Alexander gathering awards and illustrated collections for younger readers such as The Lost Words and I Am The Seed That Grew the Tree attracting wide press coverage and book gifting. Poetry for pleasure still deserves a much bigger place on our curriculum though - She Is Fierce could be a great starting point to change all that. An inspired and inspiring gift book comprising 150 'brave, bold and beautiful poems', all are carefully chosen to chart the territory of poetry by women from classic to contemporary. Where well-known poets such as Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, Charlotte Bronte, Maya Angelou, Carol Ann Duffy and Grace Nichols are included, the poems chosen are less well-known so the whole collection has a fresh and exciting feel. Among the poets Sampson discovered during her research are 'thinkers, innovators, suffragettes, schoolgirls, civil rights activists, online sensations, aristocrats, an eighteenth century kitchen maid, spoken word superstars and more'. What unites them all is 'educational, religious and social limitations on their freedom both to write and - especially - to publish' Sampson curates the poems into typically teen friendly topics: 'Roots and Growing Up, Friendship and Love, Nature, Freedom, Mindfulness and Joy, Fashion, Society and Body Image, Protest, Courage and Resistance, Endings.' The irresistible appeal of an anthology such as this is that it will always be subjective, there will always be something extra the reader thinks should have been included or omitted, but Ana's passion for the mighty task she has set herself shines through every poem, making this an ideal collection both for poetry lovers and those who need to be converted. This is a book to dip in and out of, a book to come back to, a book to grow up with. Readers of all types will recognise something of themselves in this book. Short, very readable biographies of each poet are helpfully included at the back of the anthology with lists of other works to to inspire young people to read on for themselves. Fittingly published to celebrate the centenary of women's suffrage, She Is Fierce highlights those important conversations which continue to rage on women's rights and equality in all areas. It could usefully be used as a resource for PSHE lessons as well as English, as a poem-a-day lesson starter, in assembly, as a thought for the day discussion starter or a registration activity. ;It could be read alongside Chris Riddell's illustrated anthology Poems to Live Your Life By or Allie Esiri's A Poem for Every Day/Night of the Year. If it is the feminist angle which appeals, students could be pointed towards Kay Woodward's What Would She Do? - real life stories of rebel women who changed the world. 304 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Eileen Armstrong, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+