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English teacher wins Costa poetry prize

English
An inspirational secondary teacher has won the Costa poetry prize for his very first book.

An inspirational secondary teacher has won the Costa poetry prize for his very first book.

Jonathan Edwards, who has taught English at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls for 10 years, did not win the overall 2014 Costa Book of the Year prize (the award went to Helen MacDonald for H is for Hawk), but his work was highly praised.

The judges, chaired by bestselling author Robert Harris, said: “We haven’t had as much fun reading a poetry collection in ages. Joyous, brilliant and moving – this is a poet to celebrate.”

Mr Edwards’ book, My Family and Other Superheroes, was published to critical acclaim in 2014. The superheroes of the title are a motley crew, including Evel Knievel, Sophia Loren, Ian Rush, Marty McFly, a bicycling nun, and a recalcitrant hippo.

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