This valuable guide advises teachers and librarians how to use novels in verse in functional, hands-on ways with teens, including reluctant readers.

Novels in verse are popular and have recently won some important awards. They are of great value to teachers and librarians as a way of reaching all teens, including marginalized teens and those who may be struggling or reluctant readers. This guide shows readers how to pair books with teens based on their needs, interests, and specific situations. After teens are paired with books, this guide suggests activities to further engage them with the poetry. Activities are tied to Common Core and AASL standards for ease of lesson planning for teachers.

Verse novels address a widely diverse demographic and a variety of topics, including various cultures, religions, racism, LGBTQ+ themes, mental illness, poverty, homelessness, sexual assault, self-harm/suicide, domestic violence, family dynamics, disabilities, refugees, English language learners, and more.

Novels in verse provide a more modern, practical alternative to some older classics that may not appeal to many teens or that may intimidate them by their sheer number of words per page. This book provides a one-stop resource for choosing and using novels in verse with teen readers.

Teachers and librarians will find Krok's resource highly useful. * VOYA *
Recommended for anyone looking to diversify collections, learn more about novels in verse, or expand their use of poetry in the classroom or library. * School Library Journal *

Lisa Krok, MLIS, MEd, is the adult and teen services manager at Morley Library in the Cleveland, OH, area and a former teacher.