Youngsters at Sheffield's Abbeydale Grange enjoyed a performance from the poet, novelist and playwright, and were encouraged to come up with their own rhymes.
Benjamin told the youngsters how he'd had his first book published when he was 20 years old - but that he didn't learn to read and write properly until he was 21.
The Birmingam-born poet also told of his battles to overcome dyslexia and urged boys in particular to make the most of their time at school.
Benjamin said that he loved writing for teenagers best of all - because he wanted to encourage them to read and write for themselves.
And Benjamin explained that although he had finished his fult time education at the age of 13, he had never stopped learning and had made his first public performance by the time he was 15 at his local church.