Love That Dog

Sharon Creech

Jack can’t stand poetry. He thinks it’s something only girls write. But his teacher won’t stop giving the class poetry assignments—and Jack can't avoid them. But the more Jack writes, the more he realizes he does have something to say after all. Written as a series of free-verse poems from Jack's point of view, Love That Dog is a perfect choice for middle-grade readers.

Out of the Dust

Karen Hesse

Cleverly written as a poetic novel composed in stanza form, Out of the Dust follows Billie Jo's misery through Dust Bowl Oklahoma. The chapters are captivating, intriguing, and written with an attitude that allows the characters to develop without a traditional plot or dialogue. Winner of the Newbery Medal, Scott O'Dell Award, and more, this novel is a must-read for both middle school and high school students.

Inside Out & Back Again

Thanhhà Lại

Inspired by author Thanhhà Lại’s experience as a Vietnamese refugee, this novel tells the story of Hà, a young girl who is forced to flee her Saigon home and relocate to America with her family. Told entirely in free-verse poems, readers will find themselves identifying with Hà and her struggles to adapt to a new life and a new country.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Jacqueline Woodson

As a child, Jacqueline Woodson struggled with reading and writing, and in this award-winning bestseller, she uses poetry to bring her stunning memoir to life. Students will find Woodson’s eloquent poems a great source of inspiration, as she recounts what it was like growing up in the middle of the civil rights movement.

House Arrest

K. A. Holt

Perfect for middle-grade readers, this novel-in-verse follows the story of Timothy, a boy who finds himself under house arrest for stealing a wallet. With weekly check-ins with a probation officer and a therapist, mandated journaling, and strict orders to avoid trouble, Timothy's path seems clear. However, when his family's dire financial situation demands extreme action, Timothy must decide if staying on the right side of the law is worth it.

The Surrender Tree

Margarita Engle

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom is a Newbery Honor-winning verse novel written in both Spanish and English. Using the story of the folk hero Rosa la Bayamesa as inspiration, lauded poet Margarita Engle explores one of the most harrowing times in Cuban history. In 1896, as Cuba’s fight for independence rages on, people are being rounded up and placed in concentration camps rife with illness and starvation. Although Rosa is a nurse, she cannot go to the camps. Instead, she turns hidden caves into hospitals for any that need her help.

Long Way Down

Jason Reynolds

After his brother is murdered, fifteen-year-old Will sets out for revenge, tucking his brother’s gun into the waistband of his jeans. But as he rides the elevator down from his family’s apartment, Will is confronted by the elevator’s ghostly occupants, all of whom were killed by gun violence. This verse novel from celebrated author Jason Reynolds takes an unflinching look at teenage gun violence and the perpetual cycle of destruction revenge can bring.

Kent State

Deborah Wiles

On May 4, 1970, tragedy struck Kent State University after National Guardsmen killed four students protesting the Vietnam War. This verse novel by award-winning author Deborah Wiles recounts this monumental event from multiple perspectives, including the protesters, the Guardsmen, the general student body, and the townspeople, letting readers explore the disaster and its aftermath from all sides.

Ordinary Hazards

Nikki Grimes

In this memoir, celebrated author and poet Nikki Grimes shares the turbulent story of her childhood through beautifully crafted verse. Grimes reflects on the hardships she faced, from her relationships with her mentally unstable mother and absent father to her time spent in the foster care system. Amid the trauma and abuse she endured, Grimes discovered a love for writing, using the healing power of words to find her voice.

Home Is Not a Country

Safia Elhillo

Perfect for young adult readers, this verse novel employs elements of magical realism to tell a poignant story of family and identity. Nima doesn’t understand why, after her father’s death, her mother moved from their Muslim home country to post-9/11 America. Feeling like she doesn’t belong, Nima wonders who she could have been if circumstances were different. Through a series of strange events, Nima gets the chance to change the past, but the outcome might not be the one she really wants.

Solo

Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess

Blade never asked for a life of luxury, nor the drama surrounding his washed-up rockstar father’s failures. His only solace is Chapel, his girlfriend, but her parents refuse to let them date. Between the possibility of losing Chapel and his father’s battle with addiction, Blade feels like life is hopeless—until a long-held family secret comes to light. This novel follows Blade’s journey of self-discovery through Kwame Alexander’s signature verse writing. Themes of substance abuse and death make this book better suited for older readers.

Me (Moth)

Amber McBride

After losing her family in an accident, teenager Moth feels completely alone, until she meets Sani. He's searching for answers about his roots, hoping that by doing so, he'll find a way to overcome his depression. The two embark on a road trip to see Sani's father, learning more about themselves and their heritage along the way. With elements of Navajo and Southern Hoodoo traditions woven throughout, this novel-in-verse explores themes of identity, memories, and love.

Clap When You Land

Elizabeth Acevedo

Told through verse, Clap When You Land weaves a powerful story about grief and forgiveness. In the Dominican Republic, Camino Rios heads to the airport to pick up her father, only to find chaos. In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office and learns her father died in a plane crash. In the wake of the accident, a series of events leads both girls to uncover their father’s secrets and, in turn, each other.

Shout

Laurie Halse Anderson

In this memoir-in-verse, acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson reflects on how little our culture has changed for survivors of sexual assault in the years following the publication of her groundbreaking novel Speak. Through poetry, Anderson shares deeply personal stories of her childhood and adolescent years, examining sensitive issues like domestic violence and sexual abuse without fear. Because of its heavy subject matter, this book is best suited for high school students.

Bull

David Elliott

Written in verse with each character’s voice taking a different poetic style, David Elliott’s Bull reimagines the classic myth of Theseus and the Minotaur for modern readers. Though the characters and events remain identical to the Greek classic, dark humor and contemporary slang make Bull an accessible and highly entertaining read. With profanity and suggestive content throughout, this book is better suited for older students.