• By Jacquelyn White
  • Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2020

National Poetry Month Reading List

National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry which takes place each April, was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.

"The poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

"Long way down" by Jason Reynolds

Driven by the secrets and vengeance that mark his street culture, 15-year-old Will contemplates over the course of 60 psychologically suspenseful seconds whether or not he is going to murder the person who killed his brother.

"House arrest" by K. A. Holt

Young Timothy is sentenced to house arrest after impulsively stealing a wallet, and he is forced to keep a journal into which he pours all his thoughts, fears, and frustrations.

"Swing" edited by Kwame Alexander

"Noah and his best friend Walt want to become cool, make the baseball team, and win over Sam, the girl Noah has loved for years. When Noah finds old love letters, Walt hatches a plan to woo Sam. But as Noah's love life and Walt's baseball career begin, the letters alter everything"-- Provided by publisher

"Three things I know are true" by Betty Cully

A debut novel in verse explores the experiences of a teen navigating the painful aftermath of a shooting accident that nearly ends her brother’s life and triggers painful community divisions.

"Voices: the final hours of Joan of Arc " by David Elliott

A novel in verse explores how Joan of Arc changed the course of history and examines such timely issues as gender, misogyny, and the peril of speaking truth to power.

"Manning up" by Bee Walsh

Jack is at the top of his game. He's a senior running back on the football team, dominating every opponent in his way. To everyone else, Jack is totally in control. In reality, he struggles with an eating disorder that controls every aspect of his daily life. When Jack starts using steroids, he feels invincible, but will the steroids help him win the big game, or will he lose everything he's ever worked for?

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