Novel-in-verse told in the voices of Ariel and Tomah who live in a Native American city housing complex. Ariel wants to continue to learn ballet but mNovel-in-verse told in the voices of Ariel and Tomah who live in a Native American city housing complex. Ariel wants to continue to learn ballet but money is tight since her beloved Aunt disappeared. Ariel does her research project on #MMIW – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women – hoping to solve her Aunt’s disappearance and takes up jingle dress dancing. Tomah watches over the birds and the people in the housing complex. Although he struggles academically, he is a gifted storyteller and uses his gift to help tell the story of Ariel’s missing Aunt....more
This Oregon Trail adventure is told in verse and follows a group of Black pioneers as they travel from Mississippi to Nebraska to start a new, free liThis Oregon Trail adventure is told in verse and follows a group of Black pioneers as they travel from Mississippi to Nebraska to start a new, free life after the Civil War. Told in alternating poems by a mother and her daughter and the single woman who joins them in Independence, MO. A part of history not often told that should be added to the canon of Westward expansion....more
Stunning novel-in-verse about grief, racism, and being true to who you are. Isaiah lives in Detroit and loves rock music but hides it from his friendsStunning novel-in-verse about grief, racism, and being true to who you are. Isaiah lives in Detroit and loves rock music but hides it from his friends because they don’t think it’s cool. After a tragedy, he finds it hard to voice his feelings. After a summer with his Aunt and Uncle in NC, he starts to talk about the tragedy and lets his true self out....more
The one and only Ivan (and Ruby and Bob) returns in one final installment. Ivan is now a fully grown silverback and new father to twins! As Ivan learnThe one and only Ivan (and Ruby and Bob) returns in one final installment. Ivan is now a fully grown silverback and new father to twins! As Ivan learns what it means to be a father, he reflects on his life, grief, and the definition of family. A perfect conclusion to the series....more
Novel-in-verse based on the author at 14. Tells the story of Jake and the voice in his head that is louder than his hunger telling him he does not neeNovel-in-verse based on the author at 14. Tells the story of Jake and the voice in his head that is louder than his hunger telling him he does not need to eat. This is a powerful book that will have readers in tears and rooting for Jake. Jake spent several months in inpatient care and his journey is one to share with all young people!...more
Noah is grieving for his best friend Lewis. Not only were they both trying to figure out their identities, Noah has also lost his first crush. Noah stNoah is grieving for his best friend Lewis. Not only were they both trying to figure out their identities, Noah has also lost his first crush. Noah starts writing letters to Mothman, a legendary West Virginia cryptid because Lewis believed in Mothman. The book culminates with Noah and his new friend/girlfriend Hanna setting out to search for Mothman. A powerful verse novel about grief and identity....more
Novel-in-verse set in Sri Lanka during the 1983-2009 Civil War. Kavi lives in a village with her mom and her mom’s new partner, soon-to-be her stepdadNovel-in-verse set in Sri Lanka during the 1983-2009 Civil War. Kavi lives in a village with her mom and her mom’s new partner, soon-to-be her stepdad. Her father lost a leg in the war and was never the same when he returned home. Her Amma (mom) turned to her father’s best friend when he died. Kavi has an opportunity to win a scholarship to a school in Colombo where she can live with her aunt who works for a weathy family. Kavi is so sad to leave home and convinces herself that her mother is replacing her and her father with a new husband and new baby, not realizing her mother is struggling too. At her new school, Kavi yearns to fit in and pretends to be from a wealthy family like some of her classmates. When she gets caught up in her lies, she almost ruins everything. A poignant look at what it was like for children to grow up in a country at war and how their normal was nowhere near normal....more
A powerful novel in verse. The author spent several years researching her ancestors, the enslaved family Copper. Unusually they had a surname which maA powerful novel in verse. The author spent several years researching her ancestors, the enslaved family Copper. Unusually they had a surname which made research possible, albeit challenging. Poems of life on the Wye House plantation in Maryland, including Copper family encounters with Frederick Douglass and life after in the free town of Copperville are illustrated in stunning black and white artwork created by the author’s son. Extensively researched and thought-provoking....more
Anna is a middle schooler growing up in Southern California in the 1980s. She and her parents are from Taiwan and her parents own a fast-food businessAnna is a middle schooler growing up in Southern California in the 1980s. She and her parents are from Taiwan and her parents own a fast-food business. When Anna discovers a cabinet full of mail that her father has ignored – partly because he struggles to read English – the family discovers that they are “illegal.” Their visas have long since expired and they are now officially undocumented. When her parents consult an attorney, they realize they need money for the attorney’s fees so Anna’s mother moves to San Diego for the summer to work in a friend’s bakery under the table to raise the funds. When her best friend’s father loses his job, Anna realizes that she is not alone worrying about her family and eventually finds the courage to confide in her friend. This verse novel is based on the author’s life and while technically a sequel, this reads like a stand-alone novel....more
Adnan loves playing table tennis and dreams of becoming a champion. When he wins a local competition, he is excited to qualify for a championship tourAdnan loves playing table tennis and dreams of becoming a champion. When he wins a local competition, he is excited to qualify for a championship tournament in Florida. His family decides to turn the trip into a “cousin vacation” and to spend Eid with their family while traveling to the tournament. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes the family in Florida and Adnan gives up table tennis. The author uses the analogy of flight (thrust, weight, drag, lift) to tell Adnan’s story. Poignant and heartbreaking, this middle-grade verse novel is a story of grief and the power of family and friends....more
This poignant novel in verse tells the story of Laura and how she comes to be living with her Aunt Silvia who she barely knows. Laura worries that sheThis poignant novel in verse tells the story of Laura and how she comes to be living with her Aunt Silvia who she barely knows. Laura worries that she should not have called 911 when she found her parents because then things would be the same – she’d be home in her cozy trailer, attending her old school, and hanging out with her friends. Instead she is placed in kinship care, living with a relative she’s never known who doesn’t quite know what to do with Laura. One day Laura rescues an abandoned dog and her aunt allows her to keep the dog. When Laura learns about therapy dogs, she decides to train her dog so she’ll be able to visit her parents in rehab with her therapy dog. Along the way, she makes a new friend and starts to see that other people have challenges in their lives too. A realistic and age-appropriate look at how addiction hurts families and how children are impacted. A powerful and important book for middle grade readers....more
This short novel-in-verse is the story of a young girl who came to Maine from Kosovo and was inspired by anti-Somali racist events in Lewistown, ME. RThis short novel-in-verse is the story of a young girl who came to Maine from Kosovo and was inspired by anti-Somali racist events in Lewistown, ME. Readers will want to learn more -- this is a good book to pair with informational books and research....more
Based on the author’s life, this is the story of the Vietnamese “Boat People” escaping Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. It’s a short and compelling sBased on the author’s life, this is the story of the Vietnamese “Boat People” escaping Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. It’s a short and compelling story. After Pho’s best friend and older brother were smuggled out by their families, it was Pho’s turn. His mother took him to his aunt’s house – an all-day bus trip – where he was taken by small boat to a larger boat. As if enduring seasickness, crowded conditions, and little food and water wasn’t enough, Pho’s boat was attacked by pirates on a daily – and sometimes more than daily – basis. He decided to hide on a pirate ship after one raid and helped the pirate fish until they passed him off to a fishing boat. Finally, after weeks at sea, he was rescued by a German rescue ship, the Cap Anamur, and eventually taken to a refugee camp in the Philippines. After writing to his family, he heard from his brother who had made it to Canada; eventually Pho was invited to move to Canada as well....more
James Henry can’t bring himself to leave his house ever since that night at the lighthouse with Ma. He lives in the south during Jim Crow with his twiJames Henry can’t bring himself to leave his house ever since that night at the lighthouse with Ma. He lives in the south during Jim Crow with his twin sister and his Gran. Gran and his sister Hattie Mae encourage him to face his fears during the upcoming night of the blue moon. When James finally works up the courage to leave the house with Hattie and her new friend Lottie, they encounter the Baker brothers who bully them, have a near-miss with white supremacists, and encounter a few kind strangers on their trip back to the lighthouse to make sense of the event that changed their family. A powerful story told in verse....more
When the Turkish soldiers come to Armenia, Bedros must find the courage to flee with his three younger sisters, his grandmother, and his mother’s honeWhen the Turkish soldiers come to Armenia, Bedros must find the courage to flee with his three younger sisters, his grandmother, and his mother’s honey jar. His mother is too ill to travel and his father stays behind to take care of her leaving Bedros in charge. He tries to keep up with his uncle and finds it hard to go on especially when he is separated from some of his family members. A powerful verse novel that illustrates the impact of the Armenian genocide on one family. Based on a true story with an author’s note and photographs....more
Garvey is content to read, study astronomy, and play chess with his best friend. Garvey’s dad wishes Garvey were more like his sister, the athlete. WhGarvey is content to read, study astronomy, and play chess with his best friend. Garvey’s dad wishes Garvey were more like his sister, the athlete. When Garvey’s schedule changes and he no longer has as many classes with his best friend, he decides to try chorus. Garvey makes a new friend in chorus and realizes that music is an untapped passion of his. Will he find a way to connect with his dad through music? This is the graphic novel adaption of the novel in verse and Nikki Grimes employed the five-line Japanese poetic style of tanka to create her poems....more
Selah has attended Pebblecreek Academy for all her school years but seventh grade suddenly feels different and uncomfortable. Her teacher doesn’t pronSelah has attended Pebblecreek Academy for all her school years but seventh grade suddenly feels different and uncomfortable. Her teacher doesn’t pronounce her name properly and thinks it’s funny to put his foot up on her desk every morning to show off his socks. One day when she has had enough of loud noises, bright lights, and too many conversations, she accidentally hurts a classmate. This leads to a visit to the principal and a threat of expulsion. Selah becomes aware that she is neurodivergent. With the help of her ELA teacher – who encourages her new-found interest in writing poetry – she learns to advocate for herself, especially when it comes to talking to her mother. This novel-in-verse is a great look at what life is like for neurodivergent students....more
Eb (short for Ebony) and Flow (nickname for De’Kari) find themselves suspended for 10 days after an altercation in the cafeteria. Eb accidentally tripEb (short for Ebony) and Flow (nickname for De’Kari) find themselves suspended for 10 days after an altercation in the cafeteria. Eb accidentally tripped (she says) over Flow’s new sneakers and scuffed them. Flow did not react well and when Eb’s friends egged her on to pretend to spill bar-b-q sauce on Flow’s sneakers, things quickly de-escalated when she accidentally (she says) spilled the sauce on his sneakers. He reacted and shoved (not hit) her (he says) and she may have shoved him back. This novel-in-verse takes place during the 10-day suspension in a series of back-and-forth poems in the voices of Eb and Flow. Interestingly, the reader learns that Eb and Flow have a lot more in common than they realize – including the fact that both have absent fathers and that their families are worried that they are both very close to expulsion and possibly derailing their future plans. The last day of suspension is an In-School-Suspension where Eb & Flow are given an opportunity for reflection. An authentic story of family, school, and the challenges kids face from peer-pressure to viral videos to absent parents....more
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