Limelight by Solli Raphael

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Puffin Books, 2018. ISBN 9780143793762.
(Age: Upper primary, Lower secondary) Recommended. Limelight gives great insights into how to create and perform poems by a young, passionate poet, Solli Raphael.
Solli is a thirteen-year-old slam poet. Slam poetry is a form of performance poetry. The poet performs in a competition with other poets and five random audience members rate the poetry on a scale of 0 to 10.
When he was only 12, Solli was the youngest winner of the 'Australian Poetry Slam' held at the Sydney Opera House every year. His poems are powerful and have a strong message of social equality and environmental protection.
Part 1 of the book deals with the art of poetry writing and performing, while part 2 contains over 30 original poems.
The title of the book comes from one of the featured poems, 'Limelight' about performing poetry onstage and trying to make a difference to the world. He is challenging his audience to be a gamechanger.
Seize this moment, live it and own it, and if you leave the
'um' till the end of the moment, you might just create
enough momentum.
To take flight to great heights on a stage to speak your
truth in the limelight.

'Australian Air' is Solli's most famous poem which has been seen 3.5 million times on Facebook. It is an inspiring poem of speaking up and making changes to society.
You can watch Solli perform this poem on YouTube.
Solli is the 'gamechanger' he speaks of. An inspiring young man who can successfully talk to the world but in particular to his own generation.
I recommend this book to upper primary and lower secondary students.
Jane Moore

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