Upper KS2 - Years 5/6
Recommendations of Poetry books for Upper KS2
Quick, Let's Get Out of Here! - Michael Rosen & Quentin Blake
The poems look at small moments from growing up, from sibling squabbles to best friends to the feeling of trying to avoid being told off by mum and dad. Many of the poems can be seen ›being performed on the poet's dedicated YouTube channel.
Overheard in a Tower Block - Joseph Coelho & Kate Milner
Joseph Coelho depicts one boy's experiences of growing up in a tower block, told through a series of poems that explore different aspects of growing up, including parental separation, school bullies, exam results and adolescence. The poems are powerful, thought-provoking and vivid, with themes that will feel relatable to many young people. Suitable for the crossover between Upper KS2 and Lower KS3.
A Kid in My Class
Silly Verse for Kids – Spike Milligan
A collection of the absurd, ridiculous, sublime and characteristically anarchic verse from the brilliant Spike Milligan. With his very own illustrations, this collection, which includes the famous On the Ning Nang Nong will make you laugh from the bottom of your belly - just like Spike did.
A Kid in My Class - Rachel Rooney & Chris Riddell
A popular collection that captures the essence of primary school life through a series of poem portraits depicting different characters in a class, from the fidgety pup to the know-it-all. The poems are entertaining and empathy-building.
Moon Juice - Kate Wakeling & Elina Braslina
This collection of witty and intriguing poems that are lively, thought-provoking and are likely to be enjoyed for their humour, language play and rich variety of themes that appeal to upper KS2, including magic, space, relationships, family life and human emotion.
Be The Change: Poems to Help you Save the World - Liz Brownlee, Roger Stevens & Matt Goodfellow
Three children's poets come together to create a collection of positive poems about looking after the planet. The poems explore the theme of sustainability encouraging positive steps that make an impact on the world around us.