Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Verse Novel Challenge

28 Comments

Every writer knows you are to read broadly in the genre you chose to write. I have a confession to make: before writing MAY B., I had read all of two verse novels — Karen Hesse’s OUT OF THE DUST and Sharon Creech’s HEARTBEAT.
And since then?
I’ve only read three more: Virginia Euwer Wolff’s TRUE BELIEVER, Susan Taylor Brown’s HUGGING THE ROCK, and Jame Richard’s THREE RIVERS RISING (come back May 3 for a chance to win a signed copy of 3RR).

It’s a bit embarrassing, really. I claim to love verse novels, but I’ve only read a few. I’ve sold a verse novel and plan to write more, but I’ve spent little time studying other authors who write in verse.

So I’m starting a Verse Novel Challenge: I’ll read at least five verse novels by the end of 2010 and post about them here. Want to join me? If so, write a post about the challenge and link back to this post. If you make it to five, I’ll enter you in a drawing for a signed ARC of MAY B., which I should have to give away in early 2011. Leave a comment so I know who’s participating.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out this wonderful list compiled by Susan Taylor Brown.

Happy Reading!

**CARVER: A LIFE IN POEMS will be my first book of the challenge.

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Filed Under: books and reading, poetry

Comments

  1. Tabitha Bird says

    April 19, 2010 at 10:30 am

    Verse novels? Wow. There you go. You learn something new everyday. I’ll have to take a look at some on the list.

    Reply
  2. Sheri Larsenッ says

    April 19, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    Wow. Great challenge.

    Reply
  3. Stephanie Cheryl says

    April 19, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    Oh, you know I am SO in. Just posted my blog informing everyone of the contest. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Valerie Geary says

    April 19, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    Challenge accepted! Post about the challenge going up on my blog tomorrow!

    Reply
  5. T. Anne says

    April 19, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Sounds like a true challenge indeed! I need to look into these novels.

    Reply
  6. Katie Ganshert says

    April 19, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    What is a verse novel? I feel very silly….like when I didn’t know what MG stood for. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Caroline Starr Rose says

    April 19, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    Katie, no embarrassment allowed! A verse novel is a story told through unrhymed poetry. Each poem should be able to stand alone on its own and add to the overall story.

    Reply
  8. Shannon O'Donnell says

    April 19, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    Thanks, Caroline. I was with Katie – I thought I knew, but I wasn’t sure. I’m glad you clarified it. Sounds like a fun challenge. I look forward to your reviews. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Rebecca Herman says

    April 19, 2010 at 11:59 pm

    Oh I will join this. have to link my post later though since I don’t have time to make one right now. I’ve read two verse novels so far this year, Wicked Girls (about the Salem Witch Trials) and 3RR. Have any more historical recommendations though? I think I’ve read most of the ones out there…

    Reply
  10. Dawn Simon says

    April 20, 2010 at 12:36 am

    Awesome challenge. I look forward to reading your reviews!

    Reply
  11. Solvang Sherrie says

    April 20, 2010 at 6:25 am

    I’ve read two: Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas and Home of the Brave by Katerine Applegate. I really enjoyed both of them. While we were on spring break I bought I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder. I’d love to be part of this challenge!

    Reply
  12. Alissa says

    April 21, 2010 at 2:48 am

    I’m too busy to join you in this challenge, but I will recommend Ellen Hopkins, though I will warn you that her books are gritty and don’t pull any punches.

    Reply
  13. SAMUEL PARK says

    April 21, 2010 at 3:43 am

    Congrats on selling your book. It sounds irresistible. I personally didn’t know much about verse novels until I found your blog. My earlier experience with verse was in a verse play (or rather, a play-in-verse), David Hirsh’s LA BETE, which was on Broadway a few years back. I think it’s interesting that you didn’t read too many verse novels–maybe you wanted to stay fresh and bring something original to the genre! Great post!

    Reply
  14. Caroline Starr Rose says

    April 21, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    …or maybe I didn’t know what I was doing!

    Reply
  15. gabi says

    April 22, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    The idea of a novel in verse fascinates me, especially as it relates to the notion of book-as-experience (i.e. how book-as-object can create an experience beyond the object itself). I love that the form in which the author chooses to write can create a unique reading experience that goes beyond the pages of the book. In fact, I’m so fascinated with this idea that I’m writing my thesis on it!

    Love this challenge! I’m in. Post will go up on my blog tomorrow. Question: do we read the same verse novels as you or 5 of our choosing?

    Reply
  16. Caroline Starr Rose says

    April 22, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    Gabi, welcome! Read any verse novels you like (though it would be fun if there was overlap. I’m not fully sure yet what my five will be).

    I’d love to hear more about this thesis of yours!

    Reply
  17. Caroline Starr Rose says

    April 22, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Rebecca,
    I haven’t read this one yet, but here’s another historical novel-in-verse: CROSSING STONES by Helen Frost (YA).

    Reply
  18. Kate T says

    April 26, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    I’m in, I think this is one challenge I actually stand of a chance of competing!

    Reply
  19. Caroline Starr Rose says

    April 26, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    Kate — welcome! I’ll add you to the list.

    Reply
  20. Jackee says

    May 8, 2010 at 2:39 am

    I missed this earlier!!! Count me in, Caroline. I’d love to do it. (And for a chance to win YOUR ARC, go ahead: twist my arm!)

    Reply
  21. Mrs. DeRaps says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    I definitely want to join this challenge! I read tons of novels in verse and even teach some. Students like to read them for a variety of reasons. One of the best I’ve ever read is Patricia McCormick’s Sold. I totally, absolutely think that you should check it out! I’ll post about this challenge soon. Thanks for hosting one!

    Reply
  22. Kate says

    May 13, 2010 at 11:16 pm

    Thanks for stopping by my site to remind me of this awesome challenge! I posted my progress so far, but I need to ramp things up! http://midnightbookgirl.blogspot.com/2010/05/verse-novel-challenge.html

    Reply
  23. Elana Johnson says

    May 25, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    Yes, I’m going to do this! I’m so glad you gave me until the end of 2010!

    Reply
  24. Becky Avella says

    December 8, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    I learned about the challenge (and verse novels) from Amy at The Green Bathtub, and I’ve fallen in love with them. I’m glad it isn’t too late to join in the challenge.

    I’ve read six so far, and I’m reading my seventh now. I blame you and Amy for my messy house and my new addiction. : )

    I’ll get to work on my blog post later today.

    Reply
  25. Caroline Starr Rose says

    December 8, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    Becky, welcome! I’m glad Amy’s got you hooked. 🙂 Looking forward to hearing what you’ve read.

    Reply
  26. Wanda says

    December 10, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    Wish I had known about this earlier … thanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck with your book!

    Reply
  27. Becky Avella says

    December 15, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    Hi Caroline,

    My blog post about the challenge is up today. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

    : ) Becky

    Reply
  28. Hilty Sprouts says

    December 20, 2010 at 7:35 am

    I am in and I’m done! I went from never having heard of verse novels to devouring them. Thanks for introducing me to these treasures!

    Reply

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