This month’s Rebel Library Recommends features the Penguin Vintage Earth Series, a collection of novels to transform our relationship with the natural world. Each one is a work of creative activism, a seed from which change can grow.
Dun-coloured endangered species of specialist interest;
best found on grungy paths, behind gabardines,
near shoes on school radiators, wet socks at work.
A furred creature, hood-hidden, brolly-blinded, shy.
The invasive species: a fearsome firestorm
of peeled blue sky. Allelopathic leaf-crisper,
river-fading grass-bleacher, ice-cream smiling
skin-killer, furze-burning-forest-eater, agricide.
See the burn-blisters on the ridge of this ear.
See water rationing. See heat oedema. See dizziness.
Holly Hopkins grew up in Berkshire, grew up even more in London and now lives in Manchester. Holly’s first collection The English Summer (Penned in the Margins) is shortlisted for the Forward Prizes’ Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection and was awarded the Poetry Book Society’s Special Commendation.
Looking for something you can’t find here? Contact our librarian if you’re looking for something specific, or an educational book list to support teaching about climate change:
mattroselibrary@gmail.com.
Have a poetry recommendation, or like to contribute to our poetry selection? Our in-house poetry curator would love to hear from you at poetsrebelxr@gmail.com.