A flatlay of must-read poetry collections set against a navy blue background.

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Reading lists

The best poetry collections of 2021 so far

A photo of author Manjeet Mann on a grey background, with her book The Crossing overlaid next to her on a fluorescent red and yellow gradient.

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Interviews

Lightbulb moments: Manjeet Mann on writing The Crossing

Run, Rebel

Praise for Run, Rebel - a Guardian best book of 2020: A tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking narrative poems . . . Mann's brilliant, coruscating verse novel lays out the anatomy of Amber's revolution, and the tentative first flowerings of hope and change. Guardian 
 
WINNER OF THE SHADOWER'S CHOICE AWARD, FROM THE CARNEGIE MEDAL 2021 
WINNER OF THE UKLA BOOK AWARDS 2021 
WINNER OF THE DIVERSE BOOKS AWARD 
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2021 
WINNER OF THE SHEFFIELD CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2021 
 
I am restless, my feet need to fly. 
 
Amber is trapped - by her father's rules, by his expectations, by her own fears. 
 
Now she's ready to fight - for her mother, for her sister, for herself. 
 
Freedom always comes at a price. 
 
Run, Rebel is a trailblazing verse novel that thunders with rhythm, heart and soul - perfect for fans of Sarah Crossan, Elizabeth Acevedo and Rupi Kaur. 
 
'A powerful read' The Scotsman 
'A tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking narrative poems' The Guardian 
'What a gorgeous, fabulous book!' Nikita Gill 
'Heart-breaking, inspiring, exquisite' Liz Hyder, author of Bearmouth (Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize)

A compelling and emotive verse novel about a young girl defining her place in the world which sensitively explores themes of bullying and domestic abuse . . . a powerful read.

'A tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking narrative poems

A tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking narrative poems

Liz Hyder author of Bearmouth (Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize)

I am restless, my feet need to fly. 
 
Amber is trapped - by her father's rules, by his expectations, by her own fears. 
 
Now she's ready to fight - for her mother, for her sister, for herself. 
 
Freedom always comes at a price.

Roar

An empowering novel of resistance inspired by Sampat Pal and the Pink Sari Gang from the multi-award-winning author of Run, Rebel and The Crossing 
 
Rizu lives a comfortable life in the gated middle class suburbs of Delhi; her biggest worries are getting her homework done and keeping up with the mean girls at school. That is, until she’s accused of being a witch and the hysteria that follows triggers a chain reaction that ends in tragedy and life as she knew it changes forever. 
 
Alone and fearing for her life, Rizu runs away and joins a group of pink sari wearing, stick wielding women, known for their revenge vigilantism. Together they can help Rizu take back her life and seek justice against those who wronged her. 
 
Because sometimes you have to run through the streets and ROAR.

Manjeet Mann is a multi-award winning children's author, actress, playwright and screenwriter. Her debut YA novel RUN, REBEL was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2021 and won the CILIP Carnegie Shadowers Choice Award, The UKLA Award, Diverse Book Award and Sheffield Children's Book Award. It was also a Guardian best book of 2020. Her second novel THE CROSSING won The Costa Children's Book Award. Manjeet is also the founder of Run the World - a not for profit that uses sport and theatre as a means to empower women and girls.

Manjeet Mann

Powerful, compassionate and ultimately hopeful. Observer 
 
WINNER OF THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2021 - a trailblazing novel about two teenagers from opposite worlds; The Crossing is a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis. 
 
The sea carries our pain. The stars carry our future. 
 
Natalie's world is falling apart. She's just lost her mum and her brother marches the streets of Dover full of hate and anger. Swimming is her only refuge. 
 
Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes on his journey is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future. 
 
A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope. But is hope enough to mend a broken world?

Manjeet Mann

Books by Manjeet Mann

Articles featuring Manjeet Mann

The best poetry collections of 2021 so far

Lightbulb moments: Manjeet Mann on writing The Crossing

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