Verse novels, or novels in verse, are a form of narrative poetry written as novel-length literature. This genre is richly crafted so that the entire book is written in verse rather than prose. It is a uniquely rhythmic way to read a story. Typically, these books read quickly and contain beautiful elements of musicality. Though many are “shelved” as Young Adult or Teen Fiction, these titles apply to readers of all ages. Below are some of my personal favorite novels in verse. I hope you will FALL for this genre!
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Watercolor Women Opaque Men by Ana Castillo
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle
-Contributed by Allison