April brings us National Poetry Month. Every year I put out a display celebrating all things poetry and every year I watch the display collect dust. And between you and me, I completely understand. I do NOT like poetry! That is until I heard about the wonderful author Kwame Alexander. He has the amazing ability to write novels in verse. I devoured The Crossover, which went on to win the 2015 Newbery Medal, in only a few hours. After reading this book, I discovered this whole wonderful world of novels written in verse that I had completely ignored before.
These novels in verse are great for everyone, but especially for reluctant and/or struggling readers. They are quick reads no matter how thick they look from the outside. Once the book is open you see that the text only covers half the page. These books are easy to follow and fast-paced because of the authors knack for telling a story with few words in an engaging way. Check out the list below of a few our favorite novels in verse; and hopefully your opinion of poetry will begin to change just like mine.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The Crossover follows the lives of twins Josh and Jordan as they try to live up to the expectations of their father, the basketball legend. Josh narrates his story of coming to terms with all the changes that are taking place in his life. His brother has gone girl crazy, the pressure of playing ball maybe too much for him, and he's pretty sure there is something wrong with his dad.
Inside out and back again by Thanhha Lai
The year is 1975. The Vietnam War has just ended. Ha and her family are rescued from Saigon by the American Navy and transported to the most foreign of places - Alabama. This Newbery Honor book will make you happy, sad, and everything in the middle has Ha and her family learn to communicate and live life in American.
Brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
In this autobiography, Jacqueline Woodson turns her childhood into a beautiful story of trying to find her home and place in a time of great change. She shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960's and 70's while being raised in two places - South Caroling and New York. As she becomes aware of the Civil Rights movement, Woodson tries to find her identity.
May B. by Caroline Starr Rose
When a failed wheat crop nearly bankrupts the Betterly family, May must work for her neighbors to make money. While struggling with being separated from her family, the unthinkable happens. May must find a way back to her family with winter on its way.