Novels in Verse
In the past several years, a new format of novel has grown in popularity — the novel in verse. Largely for the tween and young teen audience, the plots can be as varied as prose. Here are some of the best from the last few years.
Shark Girl
Age Level: 12-14
This ripped-from-the-headlines story tells of a teenage surfer girl whose arm gets bitten off by a shark. As she recovers, she finds she doesn't like being identified as "the shark girl" and just wants to resume her normal life.
Sharp Teeth
Age Level: Adult
A blank-verse horror tale about werewolves in Los Angeles. For older, horror-loving teens, this is a unique reading experience.
Pieces of Georgia
Age Level: 9-12
This slight novel tells of near 13-year-old Georgia, the loss of her mother, and her love of art.
Splintering
Age Level: 14-16
After a stranger breaks in and terrorizes a gathering, the family members learn to cope with the aftermath of the crime and their other problems. Told in alternating chapters by Jeremy and his sister Paulie, these poems fit the fast-moving, gripping plot.
Keesha's House
Age Level: 14-16
At-risk teenagers congregate at a "safe house," and we gradually learn what brought them there — an unplanned pregnancy, harassment about sexual orientation, and an unloving foster parent. A complicated poetic format (sestinas) doesn't make for a complicated read, as the plot is equal to the poetry.
CrashBoomLove
Age Level: 16-18
Mexican-American poet Herrera wrote one of the first novels in verse for the teen audience. Sixteen-year old Cesar is the son of migrant workers, and he shares his coming-of-age experiences.
Crank
Age Level: 14-16
Hopkins has become the leading author of novels in verse, mainly due to her gritty, unflinching subject matter. Crank, her first novel, deals with Kristina/Bree and her addiction to crystal meth.
Street Love
Age Level: 12-14
Using rap-tinged poetry, Myers tells a tale of star-crossed lovers in the inner city.
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies
Age Level: 12-14
When Ruby's mother dies, she is forced to move to Los Angeles to live with her father, a famous movie actor who has never had time for Ruby. Despite the poignant plot description, the book is actually funny and full of surprises.
A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl
Age Level: 14-16
Three different girls share the story of their run-in with the same boy. The book's frank treatment of sexuality will have immense appeal to teen girls.
Make Lemonade
Age Level: 12-14
Studious LaVaughn, 14, decides to earn extra money by babysitting for Jolly, a girl just slightly older than her but with a young child.
