Jeffrey Boakye

How are great turning points in history experienced by individuals? As Britain pulls away from Europe great British writers come together to give voice to their innermost feelings. These writers include novelists, writers of books for children, of comic books, humourists, historians, biographers, nature writers, film writers, travel writers, writers young and old and from an extraordinary range of backgrounds. Most are famous perhaps because they have won the Booker or other literary prizes, written bestsellers, changed the face of popular culture or sold millions of records. Others are not yet household names but write with depth of insight and feeling. There is some extraordinary writing in this book. Some of these pieces are expressions of love of particular places in Europe. Some are true stories, some nostalgic, some hopeful. Some are cries of pain. There are hilarious pieces. There are cries of pain and regret. Some pieces are quietly devastating. All are passionate. Conceived as a love letter to Europe, this book may also help reawaken love for Britain. It shows the unique richness and diversity of British cultures, a multitude of voices in harmony. Contributors include:Hugh Aldersey-Williams, Philip Ardagh, Jake Arnott, Patricia Atkinson, Paul Atterbury, Richard Beard, Mary Beard, Don Boyd, Melvyn Bragg, Gyles Brandreth, Kathleen Burke, James Buxton, Philip Carr, Brian Catling, Shami Chakrabarti, Chris Cleave, Mark Cocker, Peter Conradi , Heather Cooper, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Roger Crowley, David Crystal, William Dalrymple, Lindsey Davies, Margaret Drabble, Mark Ellen, Richard Evans, Michel Faber, Sebastian Faulks, Ranulph Fiennes, Robert Fox, James Fox, Neil Gaiman, Evelyn Glennie, James Hanning, Nick Hayes, Alan Hollinghurst, Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch, Will Hutton, Robert Irwin, Holly Johnson , Liane Jones, Ruth Jones, Sam Jordison, Kapka Kassabova, AL Kennedy, Hermione Lee, Prue Leith, Patrick Lenox, Roger Lewis, David Lindo, Penelope Lively, Beth Lync, Richard Mabey, Sue MacGregor, Ian Martin, Frank McDonough, Jonathan Meades, Andrew Miller, Deborah Moggach, Ben Moor, Alan Moore, Paul Morley, Jackie Morris, Charles Nicholl, Richard Overy, Chris Riddell, Adam Roberts, Tony Robinson, Lee Rourke, Sophie Sabbage, Marcus Sedgwick, Richard Shirreff, Paul Stanford, Isy Suttie, Sandi Toksvig, Colin Tudge, Ed Vulliamy, Anna Whitelock, Kate Williams, Michael Wood, Louisa Young

Kofi is having so much fun! The success of Clipper FM has led to Kofi and his crew becoming underground stars in their local area and beyond. But then the radio recognition draws the attention of a new rapper on the scene, Snipa, who seems determined to take the top spot. Will Kofi be able to reach his dreams of success? And can he avoid getting dragged into trouble? A novel about friendship, adventure, action and fun!

Kofi is back in a brand-new, music-making adventure - a debut fiction series from one of the most prominent educators and music radio talk host. His whole world was the sound of the speakers, the records, and the fun he was having in this place that he never even knew existed. He looked up as he came to the end of the verse and Linton was giving him the thumbs up. Kofi's grin stretched from ear to ear. Kofi has discovered a secret radio station - in a place no one will ever look. It doesn't take him long to think he can make something out of it. He and Shanice get a load of kids interested in taking part and having their moment on Clipper FM . . . But when the radio station vanishes overnight and one of Kofi's friends is accused of stealing, then the whole beautiful plan starts to fall apart . . . Can Kofi and his best mate Kelvin unravel the mystery, stay out of trouble and do their homework - all without mum and dad spotting anything - before teatime?

'Hilarious and full of heart.' A. M. Dassu'Will inspire a whole generation of music-lovers.' Rashmi Sirdeshpande'Fizzing with originality and energy.' Katya BalenKofi had an idea . . . one big lightning bolt of an idea that hit him like electricity. And all it needed was Kelvin's incredible memory for words. Kofi is used to stuff going wrong, he's usually in detention or about to be. But when he finds out his best friend Kelvin has a photographic memory, he comes up with a genius money-making scheme. The whole school is obsessed with music, but no one can ever make out the words, so the boys hit the jackpot selling a new fanzine full of song lyrics: PAPER JAM. It's not long before one of the teacher's tells Kofi: 'You could be a real leader at this school, you know that?' and . . . suddenly it's turning out to be the best summer ever!

A groundbreaking book celebrating the words and phrases that by choice or by circumstance define the Black British experience.

Masculinity is being discussed more than ever before, in a range of contexts. People talk about 'toxic masculinity', claim that there is a crisis in masculinity or argue that we need to 'reclaim masculinity'. There have always been many ways of being a man, and many people who have claimed that there are correct and incorrect ways of being a man. This important and timely book looks at the big questions surrounding definitions of masculinity, and discusses where ideas of masculinity have come from and the effects of gender stereotyping. The authors and contributors share their experiences of and perspectives on masculinity and invite readers to think for themselves about the issues involved. Aimed at young people aged 10 and upwards. Part of the groundbreaking and important 'And Other Big Questions' series, which offers balanced and considered views on the big issues we face in the world we live in today. Other titles in the series include:What is Gender? How does it define us? What is Feminism? Why do we need it? What is Consent? Why is it important? What is Mental Health? Where does it come from?

HOLD TIGHT is the book that kick started the 'Grime Library'. Bursting into bookshops in July 2017 to rave reviews and a sold out event at Rough Trade East, HOLD TIGHT paved the way for Grime-related books such as Wiley's Eskiboy (Penguin 2017), Dan Hancox's Inner City Pressure (4th Estate 2018), and DJ Target's Grime Kids (Trapeze 2018, now being made into a television series). This new edition of HOLD TIGHT features new chapters for 2018, a brand new introduction from Boakye and a brand new cover. Celebrating over sixty key songs that make up Grime's DNA, Jeffrey Boakye explores the meaning of the music and why it has such resonance in the UK. Boakye also examines the representation of masculinity in the music and the media that covers it. Both a love letter to Grime and an investigation into life as a black man in Britain today, HOLD TIGHT is insightful, very funny and stacked with sentences you'll want to pull up and read again and again.

From the critically acclaimed author of Musical Truth comes a new soundtrack to pivotal historical moments from around the world. From Billie Holliday to Aretha Franklin, Fela Kuti to Donna Summer, Elton John to Michael Jackson - it turns out that 40 classic tunes reflect and encapsulate the key historical moments of the 20th and 21st century. Musical World features music from a vast range of genres including Jazz, Rock n Roll, Disco and Hiphop. Jeffrey Boakye, teacher, historian and broadcaster, explores the roots and wider impact of these genres, touching on why they were celebrated or seen as problematic, their political and cultural impact, and their ongoing legacy today. Featuring a dance that lead to a new sense of sexual liberation, feminism, the Vietnam war, the carving up of the African continent, antisemitism, HIV, homosexuality and the impact of disco, and a football anthem. . . It will make you cry, question and gasp - this is a brand new view of world history - memorable, outspoken - hitherto unspoken!

Shortlisted for the Bread & Roses AwardAn Amazon Best Non-Fiction Book of The Year‘Essential reading‘ – The Guardian‘Sharp and witty with moments of startling candour‘ – The i‘Revealing and beautifully written‘ – David Harewood_____A thought-provoking and fearless exploration of how we can dismantle racism in the classroom and do better by all our students. Before Jeffrey Boakye was a black teacher, he was a black student. Which means he has spent a lifetime navigating places of learning that are white by default. Since training to teach, he has often been the only black teacher at school. At times seen as a role model, at others a source of curiosity, Boakye’s is a journey of exploration – from the outside looking in. In the groundbreaking I Heard What You Said, he recounts how it feels to be on the margins of the British education system. As a black, male teacher – an English teacher who has had to teach problematic texts – his very existence is a provocation to the status quo, giving him a unique perspective on the UK’s classrooms. Told through a series of eye-opening encounters based on the often challenging and sometimes outrageous things people have said to him or about him – from ‘Can you rap?‘ and ‘Have you been in prison?‘ to ‘Stephen who?‘ – Boakye reflects with passion and wit on what he has found out about the presumptions, silences and distortions that underpin the experience of black students and teachers._____‘Hugely important‘ – Baroness Lawrence‘Deeply compelling, intellectually rigorous and essential‘ – Nels Abbey‘Makes a powerful case‘ – Rt Hon Lady Hale

A powerful call to action over an education system that is default white, from a black man who has spent decades being failed by it as both a student and a teacher.

Music can carry the stories of history like a message in a bottle. Lord Kitchener, Neneh Cherry, Smiley Culture, Stormzy . . . Groundbreaking musicians whose songs have changed the world. But how? This exhilarating playlist tracks some of the key shifts in modern British history, and explores the emotional impact of 28 songs and the artists who performed them. This book redefines British history, the Empire and postcolonialism, and will invite you to think again about the narratives and key moments in history that you have been taught up to now. Thrilling, urgent, entertaining and thought-provoking, this beautifully illustrated companion to modern black music is a revelation and a delight.'Engaging and accomplished . . . perfectly judged for young readers.' Guardian

A highly topical look at the subject of masculinity, encouraging readers to think for themselves about the issues involved