Verse Novels: Stories Through Poetry
In an effort to give readers a taste of MAY B., I’m sharing books with similar genres and themes. Today’s topic is verse novels — stories told through unrhymed poetry. A confession here: I haven’t read any of these yet, though I’m planning on reading them all. All descriptions come from Amazon.com.
When Wren Abbott and Darra Monson are eight years old, Darra’s father steals a minivan. He doesn’t know that Wren is hiding in the back. The hours and days that follow change the lives of both girls. Darra is left with a question that only Wren can answer. Wren has questions, too.
Years later, in a chance encounter at camp, the girls face each other for the first time. They can finally learn the truth—that is, if they’re willing to reveal to each other the stories that they’ve hidden for so long. Told from alternating viewpoints, this novel-in-poems reveals the complexities of memory and the strength of a friendship that can overcome pain
This is the moving story of one girl’s year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.
What started out as girls’ games became a witch hunt. Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials told from the perspectives of three of the real young women living in Salem in 1692.
Ann Putnam Jr. plays the queen bee. When her father suggests that a spate of illnesses within the village is the result of witchcraft, Ann grasps her opportunity. She puts in motion a chain of events that will change the lives of the people around her forever.
Mercy Lewis, the beautiful servant in Ann’s house, inspires adulation in some and envy in others. With a troubled past, she seizes her only chance at safety.
Margaret Walcott, Ann’s cousin, is desperately in love and consumed with fiery jealousy. She is torn between staying loyal to her friends and pursuing the life she dreams of with her betrothed.
With new accusations mounting daily against the men and women of the community, the girls will have to decide: Is it too late to tell the truth?
What are some verse novels you’ve enjoyed?
Yours! I enjoyed yours. :) And also the book that we named the winner of the 2011 National Book Awards Young People’s Literature category, True Believer, by Virginia Euwer Wolff. Not a verse novel per say, but a most extraordinary book told with verse if another of our nominees from that year, Carver, by the poet Marilyn Nelson.
Clearly, I’m a fan of these books. And Lorie Ann Grover has also written some important books in this genre.
I haven’t gotten around to reading many verse novels but the ones I’ve read have been awesome. Verse adds such a beauty to the story. My favourite so far has been Samantha Schutz’s You Are Not Here.
I look forward to reading May B.
Beth, thank you. I didn’t realize Carver and True Believer came out the same year! And I’ve never understood why True Believer isn’t considered a verse novel. I know VEW doesn’t consider it poetry, but, for me as a reader, I certainly think it belongs as a wonderful example in this genre.
I’m not familiar with Laurie Ann Grover. Still so much for me to learn (which is a good thing).
Bee, thank you. I know the format for some is unappealing. Even though I love verse I sometimes don’t feel in the mood to read “that way.” Still, once I step inside the story, the format both doesn’t matter and lends itself perfectly to the storytelling, if that makes sense.
Thanks for this list! I’m bookmarking it so I can put all these great novels on my reading list. :-)
The first one I read and fell in love with was Sharon Creech’s Hate That Cat.
PragmaticMom
I’m so interested in reading your book because I don’t understand what a verse novel really is like. And also because you’re one of my oldest friends!
Robyn, I’ll tell you one thing: True Son is not involved. :)
I’m also a big fan of Marilyn Nelson’s work and Virginia Euwer Wolff’s Make Lemonade trilogy. This year I was very moved by Kimberly Marcus’s Exposed and Allan Wolf’s The Watch That Ends the Night. I loved the way he brought forward lives from those on the Titanic.
Jeanine, I’ve just finished Exposed and posted about it for my December One Sentence Debut Reviews. Adding, Marilyn Nelson, Allan Wolf, and YOUR book to my TBR list.