Hi, guys! Teacher here. For those who know me, you’re probably already aware that I like to seek out lesser-known stories. But as a teacher, I also like to find books that students can easily access. It’s a delicate balance. I like to find stories that are relevant to American and world history. Stories that help readers connect to the written word even for the reluctant reader.
Poetry is great, especially novels in verse, because of all the blank space. But it’s also challenging because most people take one look at poetry and want to run away screaming. But we’re surrounded by poetry all the time. It’s in our music. In old tales of fan-fiction. Yes, I’m looking at you Paradise Lost. But poetry doesn’t have to be hard. It’s meant to be felt and enjoyed, read aloud, shared and shared again.
I’ve gotten to that point in reading where I’ll walk into a library and ask for a recommendation for a novel in verse and get the same five books over and over again. Which is great. Those books are good, but I’m looking for a bit more. I was talking with one of my librarian friends, and after I asked her for a recommendation, she laughed and said, “I usually ask you for recommendations!”
So here, you go, everyone. I made a list for you. I’ve sorted through books I’ve read and yet to read.* Here are 45+ novel in verse for those who enjoy poetry and those who may want a light, easy-to-read novel.
*Some novels in verse that I’ve read did not make the recommendation list. See my Goodreads for more.
Top-Recommended Novels in Verse (Easy to Access)
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Heartbeat by Sharon Creech
Alone by Megan E. Freeman
Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton
House Arrest by K.A. Holt
Inside Out & Back Again by Lai Thanhhá
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Me: Moth by Amber McBride
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough (trigger warning: rape)
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (trigger warning: gun violence)
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
More Obscure Novels in Verse
Contemporary Gems
Ode to a Nobody by Caroline Brooks DuBois
Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes
Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Saving Red by Sonya Sones
Historical Fiction
Unbound: A Novel in Verse by Ann E. Burg
Audacity by Melanie Crowder
Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings by Margarita Engle
Looking for Me by Betsy Rosenthal
Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath
Poetry from my TBR (To-Be-Read Pile)
Solo by Kwame Alexander
Poetry and music! Yes! I like to tell reluctant readers that even if they don’t understand poetry, it’s in our music too. What better place to start?
Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Brown
A contemporary novel and a Goodreads choice award nominee.
Love, Love by Victoria Chang
What initially sounds like a romance is described as a tale of friendship.
The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho
A retelling of Theseus in the Minotaur but contemporary and poetry! Sign me up please. I once wrote a novel about a contemporary labyrinth, so I’m extra curious about this one.
Toffee by Sarah Crossan
Need I say more? It has toffee in the title!
Bull by David Elliott
Another retelling of Theseus and the Minotaur in verse! Wait a minute… I’m sensing a pattern…
The Lightning Dreamer by Maragrita Engle
Historical fiction can be tough enough as it is, but I like it when poetry takes a turn, often breaking down difficult topics into smaller chunks.
The Firefly Letters by Maragrita Engle
Some authors writer a lot of novels in verse.
Wave by Diana Farid
There’s a surfer on the cover! Let’s go!
Apple by Eric Gansworth
Indigenous fiction. I’ve enjoyed reading indigenous fiction lately, and I think I’ll have to share some of my favorites in its own post.
Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles by Shari Green
I’m totally judging this book by its title. I like root beer candy, okay?
Don’t Call Me a Hurricane by Ellen Hagan
What is it with novels in verse and the ocean and gorgeous covers? I’m here for it.
Knockout by K.A. Holt
The same author who wrote House Arrest, a popular novel in verse recommendation.
If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur
This particular book looks tough, but it’s one I want to read.
In the Beautiful Country by Jane Kuo
This book sounds similar to Inside Out & Back Again in that it also features an immigrant family moving to America, except this story features characters from Taiwan.
When the Clouds Touch Us by Lai Thanhhá
The sequel to Inside Out & Back Again, which I have read and taught multiple times. Yes, please!
Up From the Sea by Leza Lowitz
Did somebody mentioned the sea?
We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride
She wrecked my heart with Me: Moth. Sure, I want to read another one of her books.
Onyx & Beyond by Amber McBride
Guess she has a thing for novels in verse, and I like to suffer.
Under the Broken Sky by Mariko Nagai
Have you seen the cover!? Go look at it!
A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman
Did somebody say dance? It’s been a while since I’ve done any dancing, but I enjoyed it for a time. Let’s go.
Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott
A novel in verse about the holocaust.
The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep by Allan Wolf
I don’t know why, but this book sounds really intriguing. But I can’t find it in any library, so I’m seriously tempted to order a copy and hope for the best.
So there you have it. 45+ novels in verse for the reluctant readers and the avid poetry reader. If you’ve read any of these, what did you think of them? Are there are any more I should add to my list? Let me know what you think!
Until next time. Happy reading!
