What do you think?
Rate this book
Wicked World!
Welcome to the wild and wicked words of Benjamin Zephaniah! You'll find loads of the cool people who make up our world in this rapping, happening, hop and hip collection. So come and meet Benjamin's friends and you'll soon make lots of new ones of your own!
'Poems that bounce from the page and demand to be read, rapped, sung and hip-hopped aloud. (Independent on Sunday)
'Poems that bounce from the page and demand to be read, rapped, sung and hip-hopped aloud. (Independent on Sunday)
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Zephaniah
78 books422 followersA British-Jamaican writer, dub poet and Rastafari. He was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 25, 2012
I have used Benjamin Zephaniahs book Wicked World to teach poetry to my year 6 class via his poetry books and using the internet to watch the way in which he performs his poetry.
I enjoy the fact that he includes all parts of society and writes about it freely and expressively. Though this was used to teach my year 6 class, I think it can be used across KS2.
I find that reading these poems aloud to the class and using great enthusiasm further captivates the children’s imagination and has helped to encourage them to write their own pieces of great emotive poetry.
I enjoy the fact that he includes all parts of society and writes about it freely and expressively. Though this was used to teach my year 6 class, I think it can be used across KS2.
I find that reading these poems aloud to the class and using great enthusiasm further captivates the children’s imagination and has helped to encourage them to write their own pieces of great emotive poetry.
May 30, 2025
Probably easier to say my least favourites but these were really good -
- Hongi
- Before All These Cities
- Whosland
- Him in the Himalayas
- Variety is the Spice
- Who are we?
- Children of the Sewers
- Every Body Is Doing It
- Be Cool Mankind
And these were really really good-
- There’s Someone
- Jamaican Summers
- Everyone’s Friend
- Voices for Choices
- The Tourists Are Coming
- Hongi
- Before All These Cities
- Whosland
- Him in the Himalayas
- Variety is the Spice
- Who are we?
- Children of the Sewers
- Every Body Is Doing It
- Be Cool Mankind
And these were really really good-
- There’s Someone
- Jamaican Summers
- Everyone’s Friend
- Voices for Choices
- The Tourists Are Coming
September 10, 2011
Benjamin Zephaniah is arguably one of the greatest poets of our time. He brings his vast amount of world knowledge into his work adding a sense of culture, fun and tradition to his poems. What I love most about his work is how every single one of his poems is educational. He promotes good morals and values, teaches equality and fairness, and informs children about serious matters in the world. This is therefore a very useful book in cross curricular links, as it can be used to introduce topics in PSHE lessons, Geography lessons and most obviously, literacy lessons.
This particular collection of his poems in ‘Wicked World’ is an amazing assortment of poems about different societies, languages and environments. His knowledge about the world is admirable. As well as teaching children, adults can learn a lot from his experiences too. From the Griot people of West Africa to the Maasai dancing girls, you are bound to learn something new about the world from reading this book.
With schools in London being as diverse as they are, this is a brilliant book to use within the classroom as it contains poems about cultures which many students may be familiar with such as the ‘Bengali Rap’, ‘Urdu Poets’ and ‘Kurdish Land’. Even in classrooms where there is not a wide variety of cultures amongst the children, this is a fun way to introduce them to it.
My favourite poem within this book has to be ‘The British’, in which Zephaniah combines his sharp wit with his strong beliefs on equality to create a recipe to make Britain. I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s a must read, and a brilliant tool for teaching.
This particular collection of his poems in ‘Wicked World’ is an amazing assortment of poems about different societies, languages and environments. His knowledge about the world is admirable. As well as teaching children, adults can learn a lot from his experiences too. From the Griot people of West Africa to the Maasai dancing girls, you are bound to learn something new about the world from reading this book.
With schools in London being as diverse as they are, this is a brilliant book to use within the classroom as it contains poems about cultures which many students may be familiar with such as the ‘Bengali Rap’, ‘Urdu Poets’ and ‘Kurdish Land’. Even in classrooms where there is not a wide variety of cultures amongst the children, this is a fun way to introduce them to it.
My favourite poem within this book has to be ‘The British’, in which Zephaniah combines his sharp wit with his strong beliefs on equality to create a recipe to make Britain. I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s a must read, and a brilliant tool for teaching.
September 11, 2012
Haha , this is the best poetry book I've ever read! He is so talented and it is a pity that he is not as famous as Shakespear .Benjamin Zephaniah makes poetry so much fun and he has collected some of his best poems to put them into a great book!
July 10, 2022
This is a fun book which takes young readers on an exhilarating poetry trip around the world. It spreads an infectious love for our world and the people in it.
December 9, 2019
A fun and pleasant approach to poetry oozing with culture and diversity. One of my favourite poems in this collection being: The British, because what Benjamin Zephaniah captures and presents is that wonderful fusion of many, many cultures bubbling together each bringing essential flavours to life.
A great read for kids and adults alike.
Supports learning on empathy, cultural diversity, equality & diversity, citizenship studies, human geography, social anthropology and literary studies.
A great read for kids and adults alike.
Supports learning on empathy, cultural diversity, equality & diversity, citizenship studies, human geography, social anthropology and literary studies.
April 2, 2024
Rated 3.5
The poems were short and varied in style. Some rhymed and others didn't. They were all different lengths, but the longest was only a couple of pages long.
The words were simple allowing for a wide age range to read them.
There were illustrations throughout, which added life to the poems.
Each poem focused on a nation or culture. I enjoyed being taken around the world and learning new things.
Overall an interesting collection of poems.
The poems were short and varied in style. Some rhymed and others didn't. They were all different lengths, but the longest was only a couple of pages long.
The words were simple allowing for a wide age range to read them.
There were illustrations throughout, which added life to the poems.
Each poem focused on a nation or culture. I enjoyed being taken around the world and learning new things.
Overall an interesting collection of poems.
November 8, 2024
A small feast of poetry
A shortish book of poetry from Benjamin Zephaniah which is a pleasure to read.
Some of the poetry is simple and childlike but always written with a good heart. Something different, something to take slowly poem by poem, for me at the end of the day in a quiet moment.
A shortish book of poetry from Benjamin Zephaniah which is a pleasure to read.
Some of the poetry is simple and childlike but always written with a good heart. Something different, something to take slowly poem by poem, for me at the end of the day in a quiet moment.
September 7, 2020
Can't fault the guy - always has me grinning from ear to ear.
September 23, 2013
Benjamin Zephaniah takes us on a journey through countries and cultures, celebrating the differences between us and yet showing we all have a very similar set of values. We are taught about the oldest cultures, such as the native Americans in the poems "Before all these cities", "We are the Cherokee" and "Whosland" and the newer cultures and their difficulties, in poems such as "In the Mountains of Tibet" and "We Refugees". The poet brings all of these cultures together in the poem "The British" which is written in the form of a recipe, the ingredients being all of the cultures and ethnicities that make up the melting pot of Great Britain.
The author introduces all these cultures in a way that leaves the reader in no doubt that no race is greater than another and that there should be equality and social justice for all.
I really enjoyed this book of children's poems by Benjamin Zephaniah because I found it to be relevant to people of all ages from all ages and backgrounds.
The illustrations are a lovely addition and help make the journey more vivid for younger readers
I think the poems would be suitable for children aged ten plus as some of the themes, cultures and issues surrounding these poems may be too complicated for younger children.
I would love to use this book of poems to teach the children about different ethnicities and how our most, if not all of our values, are shared.
Not only would I use this book of poems for independent reading but I would also use the poems to enhance the children's knowledge of geography and history. I think it would also be really useful for pupils' sense of identity, particularly when reading 'The British'. I would also use this book of poems for a literacy task, with regards to use of adjectives.
The author introduces all these cultures in a way that leaves the reader in no doubt that no race is greater than another and that there should be equality and social justice for all.
I really enjoyed this book of children's poems by Benjamin Zephaniah because I found it to be relevant to people of all ages from all ages and backgrounds.
The illustrations are a lovely addition and help make the journey more vivid for younger readers
I think the poems would be suitable for children aged ten plus as some of the themes, cultures and issues surrounding these poems may be too complicated for younger children.
I would love to use this book of poems to teach the children about different ethnicities and how our most, if not all of our values, are shared.
Not only would I use this book of poems for independent reading but I would also use the poems to enhance the children's knowledge of geography and history. I think it would also be really useful for pupils' sense of identity, particularly when reading 'The British'. I would also use this book of poems for a literacy task, with regards to use of adjectives.
April 9, 2014
When reading this book I was captivated by the variety in themes throughout the different poems. It takes us on a journey through countries and cultures, celebrating the differences between us and yet showing our similarities. The poet brings all of these cultures together in the poem "The British" which is written in the form of a recipe, which relates to the different cultures that make up Great Britain today. This poem is particularly relevant in Newham where I want to teach.
The author introduces all these cultures in a way that leaves the reader in no doubt that no race is greater than another and that there should be equality and social justice for all. This is evident in poems such as "Who are we?" and "Be cool mankind".
I loved "Wicked World" I really felt that Zephaniah brought world cultures to life in his own fashion which I believe will excite children in the classroom.
I think as a whole this collection would be suitable for children aged ten plus as some of the themes, cultures and issues surrounding these poems may be too complicated for younger children. and "Confessions of a runner ".
As a tool this collection can be used in the classroom to teach the children about all the different and diverse ethnicities and the wonderful things that each culture can teach us.
The author introduces all these cultures in a way that leaves the reader in no doubt that no race is greater than another and that there should be equality and social justice for all. This is evident in poems such as "Who are we?" and "Be cool mankind".
I loved "Wicked World" I really felt that Zephaniah brought world cultures to life in his own fashion which I believe will excite children in the classroom.
I think as a whole this collection would be suitable for children aged ten plus as some of the themes, cultures and issues surrounding these poems may be too complicated for younger children. and "Confessions of a runner ".
As a tool this collection can be used in the classroom to teach the children about all the different and diverse ethnicities and the wonderful things that each culture can teach us.
September 4, 2009
In this book, the author has collected some of his zany poems about people from all over the world. The poems have great sounds and rhythms and are better when read aloud! Zephaniah has traveled the world and this book includes poems about the Maoris, Chinese, British, Bengali, Cherokee, Kurds, immigrants, refugees, and just people. The poems are intended for children and teenagers.
I truly enjoy this author’s way with words! He uses simple words and sentences, but they have such great rhythm and rhyme that you can’t help but read them aloud to someone else. I think this a great book to use in a middle school or high school Social Studies class as a way to integrate language arts. The poems present all cultures positively. My favorite poems are “People Need People”, “Who are We?”, and “The Tourists are Coming” (I think I must have visited some of the same places he did!). The poems are all light, easy-to-read, and help us get over our stereotypes that we may have about others! This author has visited Cairo and was a big success at a local British school.
I truly enjoy this author’s way with words! He uses simple words and sentences, but they have such great rhythm and rhyme that you can’t help but read them aloud to someone else. I think this a great book to use in a middle school or high school Social Studies class as a way to integrate language arts. The poems present all cultures positively. My favorite poems are “People Need People”, “Who are We?”, and “The Tourists are Coming” (I think I must have visited some of the same places he did!). The poems are all light, easy-to-read, and help us get over our stereotypes that we may have about others! This author has visited Cairo and was a big success at a local British school.
Read
May 19, 2008this book is just funny little poem & they can allways make u smile
...x
...x
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews