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What Are We Fighting For?: Poems About War
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Expected 25 Aug 26Explore the concept of war in a distinctively accessible way with these poems for younger readers. Fascinating and moving in equal measure, there are poems about incredibly brave dogs, cats, and pigeons; the Christmas truce of WWI, when soldiers played soccer in No Man's Land; poems about rationing and what it was like to be an evacuee; poems about modern warfare and the reality of war today; plus lots of amazing true historical facts.This cross-curricular poetry book is a brilliant way to get young readers thinking about both the historical and philosophical aspects of war.
- GenresPoetry
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2014
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Brian Moses
315 books7 followersBrian Moses has been a professional children’s poet since 1988.. To date he has over 200 books published including volumes of his own poetry such as A Cat Called Elvis and Lost Magic: The Very Best of Brian Moses (both Macmillan), anthologies such as The Secret Lives of Teachers and Aliens Stole My Underpants (both Macmillan) and picture books such as Beetle in the Bathroom and Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe (both Puffin).
Over 1 million copies of Brian’s poetry books have now been sold by Macmillan.
Brian also runs writing workshops and performs his own poetry and percussion shows. To date he has given over 3000 performances in schools, libraries, theatres and at festivals throughout the UK and abroad.
He is also founder & co-director of a national scheme for able writers administered by his booking agency Authors Abroad.
CBBC commissioned him to write a poem for the Queen’s 80th birthday and he was invited by Prince Charles to speak at his Cambridge University teachers’ day in 2007.
A new book of history poems: 1066 & Before That (co-written with Roger Stevens), picture books The Frog Olympics and Dreamer: Saving Our Wild World (OtterBarry Books) and his childhood memoir Keeping Clear of Paradise Street have just been published.
Forthcoming are Python - his first children’s novel, The Waggiest Tails: Dog Poems written with Roger Stevens, and a ‘Best of’ of his poems for younger children.
Over 1 million copies of Brian’s poetry books have now been sold by Macmillan.
Brian also runs writing workshops and performs his own poetry and percussion shows. To date he has given over 3000 performances in schools, libraries, theatres and at festivals throughout the UK and abroad.
He is also founder & co-director of a national scheme for able writers administered by his booking agency Authors Abroad.
CBBC commissioned him to write a poem for the Queen’s 80th birthday and he was invited by Prince Charles to speak at his Cambridge University teachers’ day in 2007.
A new book of history poems: 1066 & Before That (co-written with Roger Stevens), picture books The Frog Olympics and Dreamer: Saving Our Wild World (OtterBarry Books) and his childhood memoir Keeping Clear of Paradise Street have just been published.
Forthcoming are Python - his first children’s novel, The Waggiest Tails: Dog Poems written with Roger Stevens, and a ‘Best of’ of his poems for younger children.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 28, 2020
Wide- ranging and thoughtful, this anthology of poems is divided into three sections the first of which focuses on different aspects of World War 1, the second on World War 2 and the third on more recent wars such as the Vietnam war and the current war on terror.
The poems convey a powerful range of emotions which swirl around those taking part, while also considering the impact of conflicts on the lives of everyone even if they are only on the edges of the experience. This anthology would be great to incorporate into topics of war in the classroom.
The poems convey a powerful range of emotions which swirl around those taking part, while also considering the impact of conflicts on the lives of everyone even if they are only on the edges of the experience. This anthology would be great to incorporate into topics of war in the classroom.
November 12, 2018
An appropriate read on the hundredth anniversary of the armistice.
I like the concept of this book. The poems are divided into WWI, WWII and a third section that deals with further conflict, and they deal with various aspects of each (food, battles, Women’s Land Army, animals etc.). I could see this being used in school, as I’m not sure who else the intended audience would be - I really can’t see many children seeking this out on their own for a little light reading. The trouble is that very few of the poems are particularly strong or relatable, in my opinion.
My favourite one is called, “Don’t You Know There’s a War On,” which is the story of a little boy playing at war, with a lovely twist at the end.
I appreciate the intention of the authors, but from a teaching perspective I think that period poetry might be more meaningful.
I like the concept of this book. The poems are divided into WWI, WWII and a third section that deals with further conflict, and they deal with various aspects of each (food, battles, Women’s Land Army, animals etc.). I could see this being used in school, as I’m not sure who else the intended audience would be - I really can’t see many children seeking this out on their own for a little light reading. The trouble is that very few of the poems are particularly strong or relatable, in my opinion.
My favourite one is called, “Don’t You Know There’s a War On,” which is the story of a little boy playing at war, with a lovely twist at the end.
I appreciate the intention of the authors, but from a teaching perspective I think that period poetry might be more meaningful.
July 25, 2019
A wonderful collection of poetry in two sections about WW1 and WW2. They are modern poems written either as a narrative of the time or reflections looking back and are perfect for children to relate to now.
They express good questions about morals, emotions, danger etc.
And some are very imaginative and can be great ways to initiate creative writing activities.
They express good questions about morals, emotions, danger etc.
And some are very imaginative and can be great ways to initiate creative writing activities.
June 24, 2018
War poetry has never appealed to me, but I think this may be a useful collection for primary teachers as the language is quite approachable.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews