Novels in Verse

Love That Dog is one example of a novel in verse. Wikipedia defines a novel in verse as a type of "narrative poetry" in which a story is told using poetry instead of prose (traditional storytelling that we are all more familiar with). I've noticed recently that novels in verse seem to be on the rise and that they are particularly popular in young adult literature. Do teenagers respond better to storytelling through poetry rather than through a more traditional narrative? It's an interesting question. There are many wonderful novels in verse and here are just a few you can find in our children's department:

Grow: a Novel in Verse by Juanita Havill (2008)

Two misfit children and other members of a Minneapolis, Minnesota, neighborhood are brought together by a woman creating a community garden.

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate (2007, a Rhode Island Children's Book Award 2009 nominee)

Kek, an African refugee, is confronted by many strange things at the Minneapolis home of his aunt and cousin, as well as in his fifth grade classroom, and longs for his missing mother, but finds comfort in the company of a cow and her owner.

Hugging the Rock by Susan Taylor Brown (2006)

Through a series of poems, Rachel expresses her feelings about her parents' divorce, living without her mother, and her changing attitude towards her father.

Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli (2007)

In a series of poems, Diana writes about her life, both before and after her father loses his job and she and her family move far away to live with Grandpa Joe.

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech (2004)

Twelve-year-old Annie ponders the many rhythms of life the year that her mother becomes pregnant, her grandfather begins faltering, and her best friend (and running partner) becomes distant.