Let's Chase Stars Together: Poems to lose yourself in, perfect for 10+

by Matt Goodfellow

_______________A standout new collection of contemporary poems from prize-winning poet Matt Goodfellow, author of Bright Bursts of Colour .Ideal for children aged 10+Perfectly reflecting the thoughts, feelings and imaginings of young people, these beautifully crafted poems are poignant, playful, heartfelt and hopeful.From friendship, family and separation to school experiences and fitting in, this moving collection touches on the relatable aspects of growing up. It delicately balances emotion with light relief and humour, and is sure to captivate any young person aged 10 and above._______________'Goodfellow has the knack for choosing all the right words' - The Guardian'Matt Goodfellow is a poet whose works are ideal for children' - Express

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2022

About the author

Matt Goodfellow was a primary school teacher for more than ten years before becoming a full-time poet and author. Shu Lin’s Grandpa is his first book with Candlewick Press. He lives with his wife and children in Manchester, England.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A profound and accessible book of poems. Perfect for children transitioning between primary and secondary school- but with a much wider appeal. Goodfellow knows how to make every word count, tackling difficult themes with sensitivity and verve. As thoughtful as I expected after reading the wonderful 'Final Year'.

[Alice magical library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this poetry book. I love poetry, but I do find it hard to read poetry as if it’s a novel or a lyrical novel, as I think it should be read every now and then, instead of just reading it as a normal book. Some poems in here are just beautiful, and some of my favourites were The Wheel of Worry, The Democratic Republic of Me, and A Thought. I think that these poems are all special and cover all sorts of topics, and I think that lots of people will enjoy it.

[AMANDA ADAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection will be relevant and relatable to many of today's children and young people. And yet, as an adult of almost half a century, so many of the poems also chimed with my own childhood experience. This leads me to conclude that Matt has tapped into moments of emotion and reflection that are perhaps both universal and timeless. There will certainly be children, who are going through tough times, that will feel seen in poems within this collection.

As a mum, I perhaps tuned into most, those poems which touch on maternal love and relationships. Hey, Mum and First Class both broke my maternal heart. Will definitely be sharing this/reading aloud with Year 5/6 students. A necessary addition to any UKS2 library or classroom.

[Rebecca R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of powerfully emotive and beautifully written poems, ideal for older children.

Among my favourites were: 'It's Always the Same' about a vulnerable child who lacks the protective armour that stability provides, the lyrical 'When You Get Sad You Speak Like the Sea', 'Guess What' about finding a friendship that seems like destiny, and 'The Wolf' - a metaphor for divorce.

These poems made me cry - highly recommended!

[Dawn Ashford-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and relatable poetry for adults but particularly for kids and young adults, written in their language and about issues they face. A great way to show younger people that poetry can be a way to express yourself and its not all about boring, stuffy, complicated words or poets that they can't understand. Really enjoyed it.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of the Spark Book Awards and it should have won the poetry category!
Lots of the poems here prefigure the themes and tone of The Final Year and…consequently tie in perfectly with Skellig.
I have used The River and I Will Never Work on my Birthday with my Y6 classes to great effect. Fantastic, provacative poetry for young people (resonating with my older brain too!).

[Bookgirl888 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This seemingly innocent book had me laughing and crying and feeling angry and hurt and every other feeling I can imagine. Some of them are laugh out loud and some are read twice to really understand. Some are poignant and thought provoking and some just sit and work their way into you. What a truly incredible selection of poems.

[Ben Boin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite poem in this book is "a thought"
Lovely to read and made me cry a bit at some parts.

[Becky Grinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and wise. Emotionally charged but brave too, giving voice to children in situations beyond their control.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

After hearing about The Final Year and not being able to find a copy I picked this one up. I can’t say that it was anywhere close to as good as The Final Year was

[Emily McKean · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this with my kids and we absolutely loved it - gorge

[Lusanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not feel anything reading the poems. So 3 stars.

[Gray Turner-Uttley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for my classroom :) Matt writes so well in his novels and this did not disappoint

[Jennie Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a children's poetry book, this was really good. It struck the balance of discussing deeper issues like divorce with the experiences of primary and secondary school life perfectly.