What YA' Reading: Poetry & novels in verse

Poetry – the language of love, tragedy and comedy. April is poetry month, which is a great time to look at some books that use poetry to pull at our heart strings, make us think and give us a beat to keep reading.

Say Her Name by Zetta Elliot

This book is a collection of 49 poems inspired by by the #SayHerName campaign launched by the African American Policy Forum. Zetta's writing is empowering and encouraging to all readers. If you want to feel the words on the page, this is the book for you.

"This collection is inspirational, uplifting, and encouraging for readers of all genders. Elliott may not think of herself as a poet, but her creativity and deft wielding of rich language prove otherwise."―School Library Journal

If you like this book, try Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo.

Starfish by Fisa Fipps

What would you do if you were being bullied for your weight? That is what Ellie has to deal with everyday. She finds the one place she can be herself, with support of her father and new neighbor. Will this help her find a way to be her self anywhere she is?

“This is a big beautiful book about a big beautiful girl. Meet Ellie, who looks in the mirror and sees someone lovable. Now, if only the rest of the world (and especially her own mother and brother) could see what Ellie sees. This is a story about the colossal cruelty that’s hurled at her because of her weight, and how, with colossal strength, Ellie manages to triumph. An honest, heartbreaking, hilarious novel-in-verse from a debut author with a delicious voice.”—Sonya Sones, author of What My Mother Doesn’t Know

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara has plenty to say, but she doesn't feel she can share her thoughts with her family and classmates. Xiomara grabs her trusty notebook to pour out everything she wants to say. When she is invited to join the slam poetry club, she is intrigued thinking about performing her poems. The only problem, will her mother let her?

“Crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice. Every poem in this stunningly addictive and deliciously rhythmic verse novel begs to be read aloud.  Xiomara is a protagonist who readers will cheer for at every turn. As X might say, Acevedo’s got bars. Don’t pass this one by.” — Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation