At Joe Biden’s inauguration as U.S. President, Penguin Random House author Amanda Gorman recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” – and inspired the whole world. Viking Books for Young Readers is publishing a special edition of “The Hill We Climb” in spring. Gorman’s first book of poetry and debut picture book for children will be published in September.
“The Hill We Climb” is the title of the poem that the young poet and Penguin Random House author Amanda Gorman recited during Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday, moving millions of people in America and around the world. The 22-year-old from Los Angeles was the youngest poet to ever deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration. Following the enthusiastic response to her recital, Viking Books for Young Readers, a Penguin Young Readers imprint, will publish a special edition of the poem this spring with an initial print run of 150,000.
Poetry recitations at the inauguration of new presidents have a long tradition in the United States. But while earlier poetry performances, for example by Maya Angelou and Robert Frost, tended to be performed in a more solemn, often thoughtful manner, Amanda Gorman’s reading was more like a rap than a poem. She skillfully played with words and verse, expressively accompanying her reading, which was almost a performance, with her hands. She revised her poem “The Hill We Climb,” which is also about her own life’s journey, on January 6, the day the Capitol was stormed. She had learned on December 30 that she had been selected for this special honor.
In the unanimous opinion of the world press, Gorman’s recitation was one of the emotional highlights of Joe Biden’s inauguration. The “Wall Street Journal” described her as a “star turn.” The “Boston Globe” says, “She soothed our souls.” For “Oprah Magazine” her performance was “breathtaking.” “Amanda Gorman makes history,” writes the TV network CBS on its website. Some media like the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” in Germany even see her as the “true star” of the ceremony. And the British “Guardian” says that Gorman “stole the show” from everyone else with her performance.
“The Hill We Climb” is also the title of Amanda Gorman’s first poetry collection, which Viking Books for Young Readers will publish on September 21. “I’m so thrilled to be working with Viking on my first collection of poetry!” says Gorman. “My wish is for ‘The Hill We Climb’ to inspire and uplift readers with its verse at a time when we could all use more poetry in our lives, no matter our age.” Tamar Brazis, Editorial Director at Viking Books for Young Readers, adds, “Viking is honored to publish one of the most important new voices in American poetry. Amanda’s words will influence and inspire readers of all ages for many years to come.”
Amanda Gorman first attracted attention with her poetry when she was a teenager. In 2017, she became America’s first National Youth Poet Laureate after a nationwide competition for young poets. The program was founded by the New York-based literary promotion initiative Urban Word to recognize young poets who are committed to social justice and civic discourse. In addition to her poetry, Gorman, who graduated from Harvard with a degree in sociology, also campaigns regionally and nationally for girls’ education and equal opportunities.
In addition to her book of poetry, “The Hill We Climb,” Viking Books for Young Readers will also publish Gorman’s debut children’s picture book, “Change Sings,” in September. It is illustrated by Loren Long, illustrator of several “New York Times” bestsellers. “Change Sings” is about a young girl who leads various characters on a musical journey on which they realize that everyone has the power to bring about change in the world, their surroundings, and most importantly, in themselves. As Gorman shared on Twitter yesterday, her two announced books are currently #1 and #2 on Amazon’s pre-order charts in the U.S.
