A friendly audience prepares to judge the participants.

Maricopa Arts Council debuted a Youth Poetry Slam for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade on Nov. 4. Slam Master the Klute hosted. He and slam poet Jess Ballentyne warmed up the stage with readings from classic kids poems. With cash prizes on the line and judges chosen from the audience, a handful of Maricopa kids recited their original poems. Christina Surber won $50.