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A Way With Words

AWOL ERIZKU FOR TIME

​​Amanda Gorman is a poet. Her poems can make people feel strong emotions. Read on to learn more about her. Find out about Gorman’s life and work.

Presidential Poet

ROB CARR—GETTY IMAGES

Gorman recited recite HILL STREET STUDIOS/GETTY to repeat from memory or read out loud for an audience (verb) Every morning, my class recites the pledge of allegiance. a poem when Joe Biden became president.

Speaking Up

JP YIM—GETTY IMAGES FOR GIRLBOSS RALLY NYC 2018

When Gorman was a child, some words were hard for her to say. She practiced reading her poems out loud. Her speech got better. Now speaking is one of her strengths.

Getting Started

AWOL ERIZKU FOR TIME

Gorman started writing poems as a kid. She was inspired inspire JAMIE GRILL/JGI—BLEND IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES to give someone an idea about what to do or create (verb) Tony wrote a story about a spider that was inspired by his favorite book, Charlotte's Web. by Maya Angelou. Angelou was a poet and storyteller.

A Powerful Voice

JASON BEAN—RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL/AP

Gorman has advice for young poets. “Embrace embrace PW embrace MALERAPASO—GETTY IMAGES to accept willingly or eagerly (verb) She embraced recycling after learning about how much plastic wound up in the oceans. what makes your voice unique!”

Did You Know?

SHAY MAUNZ FOR TIME FOR KIDS

Amanda Gorman wrote a picture book. It is called Change Sings. It is about how kids can change the world with small actions. What can you do to change the world?