Read more from the youngest poet to ever perform at an inauguration (iStock/The Independent)
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Inauguration poet Amanda Gorman’s soul-stirring recital of her poem “The Hill We Climb” has launched her into a position of global celebrity.
Prior to the ceremony, speculation focused on Lady Gaga’s national anthem and what song Jennifer Lopez was going to sing. But, when the time came, it was Gorman that took centre stage, with her powerful prose and raw, moving performance.
As the youngest poet ever to perform at a presidential inauguration ceremony, she has now joined the ranks of authors such as Maya Angelou and Robert Frost.
Just hours after the swearing-in of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Gorman’s two forthcoming books landed the top two spots of Amazon’s US bestseller list, as people, unsurprisingly, wanted more.
She took to Twitter to express her excitement – and to quote a bit of Yeats, of course.
Luckily for those of us this side of the pond, her books, including her latest project geared towards children, titled Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem, are now available to pre-order. Read on for everything you need to know.
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‘The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country’ by Amanda Gorman, published by Viking Books for Young Readers
Cherish Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb” poem, read at the inauguration ceremony of Joe Biden, in this special-edition book.
Having initially struggled to get her words down on paper, it wasn’t until 6 January, when pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol, that she was able to do so. She worked into the night and finished the poem, adding verses about the unprecedented scenes that had unfolded.
Capturing the country’s fragile state, while inspiring hope and fostering a sense of collective purpose, this is a poem that everyone should have in their collection.
‘The Hill We Climb: Poems’ by Amanda Gorman, published by Viking Books for Young Readers
This debut collection of poems shines a light on Gorman’s energising and unforgettable voice. The Hill We Climb: Poems is aimed particularly at teenage and young-adult readers, and will include “The Hill We Climb”, a poem which she says is “about a new chapter in the United States, about the future, and doing that through the elegance and beauty of words”.
‘Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem’ by Amanda Gorman, published by Viking Books for Young Readers
In this much-anticipated picture book, youth poet laureate and activist Gorman teaches children that anything is possible when their voices join together. Through rhythm and lyricism, it’s touted as a triumphant call to action, encouraging everyone to do whatever they can to make a difference in the world, their community and, most importantly, in themselves.
