Books for National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month! Let's celebrate with poetry books, from writing your own poems, to nonfiction poetry books and novels-in-verse.

Books to Help You Write Your Own Poetry

Poetry Prompts: All Sorts of Ways to Start a Poem by Joseph Coelho

Book Cover: Poetry Prompts: All Sorts of Ways to Start a Poem by Joseph Coelho; 4 cartoon children climb on the words of the title

This book offers amazing prompts and inspiration for readers to start writing their own poetry.

A Crow Doesn’t Need a Shadow: A Guide to Writing Poetry from Nature by Lorraine Ferra

Book Cover: A Crow Doesn't Need a Shadow: A Guide to Writing Poetry from Nature; a drawing of a crow perched on a notebook

This beautiful book helps readers observe nature deeply and find inspiration all around us. 

Read, Recite, and Write Cinquains by JoAnn Early Macken

Book Cover: Read, Recite, and Write Cinquains; swirls and text boxes with a quill on a notebook page

Cinquains are a unique form of poem made up of five lines. This book teaches the history and technique behind this type of poem and provides many prompts to help you write your own. 

Explore Poetry! by Andi Diegn

Book Cover: Explore Poetry!; a cartoon of a fox and a bear thinking about poetry

This book breaks down types of poetry and various topics and vocabulary relating to poetry and then provides activities that get readers writing.

Non-Fiction Poetry Books

Out of Wonder: Celebrating Poets and Poetry by Kwame Alexander

Book Cover: Out of Wonder: Celebrating Poets and Poetry; a mixed media collage of a man with his arms wide open
Kwame Alexander created this beautiful collection of poems to encourage kids to read poetry, to introduce them to famous poets, and to inspire them to write poetry themselves.

Book of Questions: Selections by Pablo Neruda; translated by Sara Lissa Paulson

Book Cover: Book of Questions: Selections by Pablo Neruda; a shell with a rainbow, a ship, and animals coming out of it
This is a striking poem of thought-provoking questions presented with both Neruda’s original Spanish and Paulson’s translation accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Paloma Valdivia.

A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

Book Cover: A Child's Introduction to Poetry; several cartoon people reading alone and together
This book introduces readers to different types of poetry, from villanelles to limericks, and provides famous examples of the poem types including, Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 and Burns' A Red, Red Rose. The text then provides a background and samples of some of the world’s most famous poets, including Emily Dickinson and Langston Hughes.

Novels-In-Verse

Alone by Megan E. Freeman

Book Cover of Alone by Megan E. Freeman; a girl standing with a dog

What happens when a sleepover gone wrong leads to Maddie left stranded alone after an evacuation of her entire town? This is a beautiful novel about resourcefulness, perseverance, and community.

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson

Book Cover: All the Blues in the Sky; a girl looking to the side
This novel-in-verse follows Sage after her best friend dies. In a counselling group for girls who have lost someone, Sage learns that grief is different for everyone and healing does not follow a set path.

Odder by Katherine Applegate

Book Cover: Odder; a cartoon otter in the water

This novel-in-verse follows Odder, an otter whose circumstances change dramatically throughout the book. This story is a tribute to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and their amazing scientists who work with otters. 

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Book Cover: The Crossover; image of a young boy spinning a basketball
This follows twins, Josh and Jordan, who adore basketball. It is a tender story about basketball, love, and family. This award-winning book is perfect for both fans and newcomers to basketball and poetry, and it is sure to touch all who read it. 

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Book Cover: Starfish; image of a girl floating in a pool

Eleven-year-old Ellie Montgomery-Hofstein has created her unspoken “Fat Girl Rules” from her experience being bullied both at school and at home. Through support from her new neighbor, her father, and her therapist, Ellie finds the strength to stand up for herself. This is a powerful book about acceptance and self-advocacy.


I hope this helps you find a new poem or novel-in-verse to enjoy!
-Alyssa



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