Are you teaching a novel in verse such as The Crossover, Long Way Down, The Poet X, or a hundred other options to engage students in poetry and prose? Then this novels in verse vault has you covered!This reading worksheet vault has 15 completely editable activities for ANY novel in verse!It's Common...
Award-winning author Laekan Zea Kemp's heart-wrenching novel-in-verse follows two teens who must come together to heal the pain from their pasts, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nicola Yoon. Danna Mendoza Villarreal's grandfather is slowly losing himself as his memories fade, and Danna's not sure her plan to help him remember through the foods he once reviewed will be enough to bring him back. Especially when her own love of food makes her complicated relationship with her mother even more difficult. Raul Santos has been lost ever since his mother was wrongly incarcerated two years ago. Playing guitar for the elderly has been his only escape, to help them remember and him forget. But when his mom unexpectedly comes back into his life, what is he supposed to do when she isn't the same person who left? When Danna and Raul meet, sparks fly immediately and they embark on a mission to heal her grandfather ... and themselves. Because healing is something best done together-even if it doesn't always look the way we want it to.
Writing teacher and author Darcy Pattison discusses writing novels and picture books. Tips, techniques and encouragement for the writing life.
These poetry books and novels in verse are some of the most powerful we've ever read! Take a look at our list and start reading now.
The second poignant, powerful and passionate novel in verse from the 2019 Carnegie Medal winning, Waterstones Book Prize shortlisted author of THE POET X. 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Winner of CLAP WHEN YOU LAND.
About a decade ago, I read the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, my first experience with novels in verse, and I became hooked! It became my favorite format for reading, and since becoming a sch…
Check out these 5 outstanding multicultural novels in verse. You kids will love these amazing and entertaining stories.
One third of humanity and four fifths of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way at night. With or without us, the stars shine on. Love is as constant as the stars. At times, it as …
These poetry books and novels in verse are some of the most powerful we've ever read! Take a look at our list and start reading now.
Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate Novel Guide Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate Novel Guide Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate is one of the most read middle school novels. This…
It's been exactly a year since I first hosted the Poetry Friday Roundup, and I am so thrilled to be a part of this great community! (For the curious, click here to see last year's linkup.) Quick introduction: My name is Katie, and I am a language arts and social studies teacher in Wisconsin. I have taught third and fourth grade for many years and am making the big jump up to middle school this fall (yikes!). I have been holding weekly Poetry Friday time with my students for several years now, and it is one of my favorite things about teaching. I am very much looking forward to exploring weekly poetry with my middle schoolers as well. (Tips and leads much appreciated!) You can read more on my thoughts about The Power of Poetry Friday here. The Novel as Poetry The novel-as-poetry has a long, long history that predates written books, back when stories and tales were meant to be sung or whispered around the fire. Poetry, rhyme, and meter aided in the memorization of such stories, as they spread through repetition. Nowadays there seems to be a renaissance of the idea of the poem as novel, but rather than the epic poems of great battles and heroes, many of today's novels in verse for children feature a range of free-verse expressions and imaginative use of words and imagery. As part of my preparation for teaching middle school next year, I am working to familiarize myself with the literature of Latin America and East Asia (the Social Studies regions of focus for the year). One of my most recent reads along these lines is The Poet Slave of Cuba: a biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Sean Qualls [winner of the Pura Belpré and Américas Awards]. Poetry is the perfect vessel to convey the early life of Juan Francisco Marzano, born into slavery in Cuba, who overcame his lack of education and many hardships to become an admired poet. Right from the beginning, this novel surrounds you with the power of poetry: "Poetry cools me, syllables calm me I read the verses of others the free men and know that I'm never alone Poetry sets me aflame I grow furious dangerous, a blaze of soul and heart, a fiery tongue a lantern at midnight" (page 4). The story is told through poems in Juan's voice as well as those of other characters around him, providing addition insights and perspectives. There are many disturbing events related to slavery and the treatment of slaves in this story, making it suitable for older readers. The back matter includes more historical information about Juan, as well as selections of his actual poetry (both in the original Spanish and translated into English by the author). Other Novels in Verse May B. a Novel by Caroline Starr Rose is a novel-in-verse set during pioneer times in the US featuring a character with struggles with dyslexia. Silver People: voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle gives voice to the builders of the Panama Canal as well as the surrounding environment. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is set during the Dust Bowl in the southern/western US and portrays the hardships of the time period. Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton is a novel-in-verse set during all of 1969, following Mimi Yoshiko Oliver who had just moved to Vermont with her black father and Japanese -American mother. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lại shares the story of a young girl who must leave her home in Vietnam during the war and emigrates to America [Newbery Honor Book, National Book Award Winner]. Caminar by Skila Brown. This historical fiction novel in verse tells the story of young Carlos, living in 1981 in Guatemala. Heartbeat by Sharon Creech is the story of a 12-year old girl named Annie who loves to run but does not understand the appeal of a track team and who is working through her feelings about her grandfather's growing dementia and her mother's impending pregnancy. Love that Dog and Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech. These two charming novels each chronicle a year in the writer's notebook of a reluctant poet named Jack. Two of my all-time favorite books! (Read more about how I teach poetry using Love that Dog.) The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is a contemporary story that features the inside perspective of eighth grade Josh Bell. Josh and his twin brother are basketball stars and take after their father [Newbery Award Winner]. Booked by Kwame Alexander is a contemporary story told from the perspective of twelve-year old Nick Hall, an up-and-coming soccer star, plagued by his wordsmith father's book, Weird and Wonderful Words. The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan is told through the collected poems of a class of students facing the imminent closure of their elementary school, as they learn about the power of the written and spoken word. Memoirs in Verse Enchanted Air: two cultures, two wings: a memoir is Margarita Engle's memoir about her childhood growing up in the 1950s and 60s [Pura Belpré Award Winner and finalist for the YALSA-ALA award for excellence in Young Adult nonfiction]. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is an incredible memoir told in vivid poems that are rich with history and imagery [Newbery Honor, National Book Award Winner, Coretta Scott King Award Winner]. Do you have a favorite novels in verse? Poetry Friday Linkup Please keep checking back during the day for more poetry goodness - or get started now by jumping into the links and comments! (Never participated in a linkup before? Please click here for a more detailed step-by-step.) I look forward to getting around and reading all your amazing poems and contributions. (Those sharing after Friday, it may take me some time, as I am off for #nErDcampMI shortly, whoo-hoo!) Happy Poetry Friday! ** Apologies to participants from Australia: if you are having problems leaving a link in the linkup, please leave it in the comments, and I will be sure it gets added. ** An InLinkz Link-up
This stunning debut and wholly original queer middle grade novel-in-verse retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice adds a new chorus to the songs of great love, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home and Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World. Love at first sight isn’t a myth. For seventh graders Olivia and Eden, it’s fate. Olivia is a capital-P Poet, and Eden thinks she wants to be a musician one day, but for now she’s just the new girl. And then Eden shows up to Poetry Club and everything changes. Eden isn’t out, and she has rules for dating Olivia: Don’t call. Don’t tell her friends. And don’t let anyone know they’re together. But when jealousy creeps in, it’s Olivia’s words that push Eden away. While Eden sets out to find herself, Olivia begins a journey to bring Eden back—using poetry. Both Olivia and Eden will learn just how powerful their words can be to bring them together . . . or tear them apart forever. * 2024 Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels List – NCTE Children’s Poetry Award Committee * Massachusetts Book Award Longlist Middle Grade/Young Adult * Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year 2024 *
Congratulations to the 2015 Nerdy Book Club Award Winners for Best Poetry and Novels in Verse! 2015 NERDY POETRY — DI-VERSE DIVERSE ETHNICITIES — we celebrate DIVER…
While many teachers and librarians enjoy sharing poetry with students, many of my middle school students claimed to detest poetry or actively avoided reading it over the years. For some, poetry was…
Use poetry to encourage reluctant readers! Novels in verse are
This lyrical middle-grade novel-in-verse celebrates the power of story and of finding one's individual voice. Keet knows the only good thing about moving away from her Alabama home is that she'll live near her beloved grandfather. When Keet starts school, it's even worse than she expected, as the kids tease her about her southern accent. Now Keet, who can "talk the whiskers off a catfish," doesn't want to open her mouth. While fishing with her grandfather, she learns the art of listening and gradually, she makes her first new friend. But just as she's beginning to settle in, her grandfather has a stroke, and even though he's still nearby, he suddenly feels ever-so-far-away. Keet is determined to reel him back to her by telling him stories; in the process she finds her voice and her grandfather again.
Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life — by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.
Novels written in verse typically rely heavily on dialogue, emotion, and themes of identity--the latter of which are relevant to YA readers.
In my middle school and upper elementary classrooms, poetry was the licorice of the classroom library. No one was neutral about poetry. Everyone had feelings about it. Many of my students loved to …
An extraordinarily beautiful novel-in-verse, this important debut weaves a dramatic immigrant story together with Pilipino mythology to create something wholly new. Stella and Luna know that their mama, Elsie, came from the Philippines when she was a child, but they don't know much else. So one night they ask her to tell them her story. As they get ready for bed, their mama spins two tales: that of her youth as a strong-willed middle child and immigrant; and that of the young life of Mayari, the mythical daughter of a god. Both are tales of sisterhood and motherhood, and of the difficult experience of trying to fit into a new culture, and having to fight for a home and acceptance. Glorious and layered, this is a portrait of family and strength for the ages. Title: We Belong (Hardcover) Author: Everman, Cookie Hiponia Publisher: Dial Books Date Published: Hardcover – 5 April 2021 Category: Tweens Fiction Subject: Legends, Myths, Fables Binding: Hardcover Reading Age: 8 - 12 years No. Of Pages: 208 pages Language: English ISBN-13: 978-0593112205 Amazon Price: £12.99
I have dreamed of creating a middle school poetry unit. Lesson plans, poetry analysis reading responses, and verse novels book club and activities.
These poetry books and novels in verse are some of the most powerful we've ever read! Take a look at our list and start reading now.
Verse novels for kids are having a 'moment'. Megan and Allison examine their popularity and how to use them at home and in class
Before introducing the Vietnam War with my students, I allow them to fill out these guided notes, with no guidance. It shows me what they know and what they do not. Students use context clues, prior knowledge, and a good bit of guessing to complete the outline. They enjoy the activity! I also us...
More often than not, the terms 'Novel' and 'Book' are used interchangeably by most people, and their true meanings are eluded in the process.
