Novels in Verse

To celebrate National Poetry Month, I wanted to share with you some of the novels in verse that we have in the library.  These novels are one cohesive story told in a poetic form.  Many of these are told in free verse, like Jump Ball, but can also communicate more complicated forms, like Keesha’s House, which uses sestinas and sonnets.  These novels can be less daunting for struggling readers, as they are usually shorter and employ a lot of white space on the page.  But be aware that the poetry can also be sophisticated and more difficult for those who are not very comfortable with the language and form.  Here are a few of the verse novels we have in the library to check out.  Also, stop by to see our “Poet Tree” display which includes more selections of verse novels and other great poetry.

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies
Sonya Sones

Fifteen-year-old Ruby Milliken leaves her best friend, her boyfriend, her aunt, and her mother's grave in Boston and reluctantly flies to Los Angeles to live with her father, a famous movie star who divorced her mother before Ruby was born.

 

 

Jump Ball: A Basketball Season in Poems
Mel Glenn

Tells the story of a high school basketball team's season through a series of poems reflecting the feelings of students, their families, teachers, and coaches.

 

 

 

Aleutian Sparrow
Karen Hesse

An Aleutian Islander recounts her suffering during World War II in American internment camps designed to "protect" the population from the invading Japanese.

 

 

 

 



Jinx
Margaret Wild

With the help of her understanding mother and a close friend, Jen eventually outgrows her nickname, Jinx, and deals with the deaths of two boys with whom she had been involved.