Novels in verse are a hybrid ofpoetryand traditional prose fabrication that bring home the bacon reader with a different spin on their favorite genres and theme . And today , there ’s a whole new contemporaries of writers utilizing the style and undertake subjects that are significant to our current climate , including issue of race , sex , and more . So beforeNational Poetry Monthcomes to a conclusion , here are eight novel in rhyme by modern author of color that you should be take this month ( or any calendar month ) .
1.Other Words for Home// Jasmine Warga (2019)
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2.Home Is Not a Country// Safia Elhillo (2021)
This moving novel in verse by Safia Elhillo , who was feature onForbes Africa’s“30 Under 30 , ” keep an eye on the story of Nima , a first - propagation Muslim teenager struggling to see where she belong to in the world . That may fathom like a intimate premise — but Nima ’s conflict are wrapped up in her racial , ethnic , and religious identity , allow a conflict that many reviewer can identify with today . Despite growing up in an American suburb , Nima dream of the “ home plate ” state that she ’s only ever heard her female parent talk of ; it ’s a plate that Nima has never known , but it ’s one she constantly ache for . In 2021,Home Is Not a Countrywas longlisted for theNational Book Awardfor Young People ’s Literature .
3.The Black Flamingo// Dean Atta (2020)
The Black Flamingofollows Michael Angeli , a motley - race gay teen growing up in London and figuring out what it have in mind to be his fullest ego . The novel bulge out with his puerility and stick to him into the start of his college experience , as he take with his pagan identity and sex . Along the way , Michael exact on the title of respect of The Black Flamingo , his pull alter - ego . The bookwas namedone of the 100 best YA books of all time byTIMEmagazine and wona Stonewall Children ’s and Young Adult Literature Awardin 2020 .
4.Clap When You Land// Elizabeth Acevedo (2020)
Elizabeth Acevedo , whose YA novelThe Poet Xwon aNational Book Awardin 2018 , is a staple fiber of any verse lover ’s shelves , and her latest novel is just as worthy of your attention . Clap When You Landfollows two stripling girl — Yahaira and Camino — who have the same father but have n’t suffer or even get wind of one another until their father die in a planer crash . The chapter alternate between the two lady friend ' perspectives of the events straight off before and after their beginner ’s death and present a story of grief , secrets , and the class we encounter along the way .
5.Turtle Under Ice// Juleah del Rosario (2020)
If you ’re search for a fellow traveller piece toClap When You Land , Turtle Under Iceis an gentle call . Though not chivvy with hole-and-corner syndicate like Camino and Yahaira , the two young missy in this novel — Rowena and Ariana — are struggle to figure out how to pilot the human race without their female parent , who died several twelvemonth ago . This grief is combine by the fade of Ariana , who all of a sudden vanishes without a hint during a snowstorm . When interview byPublishers Weekly , writer Juleah del Rosario order that work on in verse , " allows me to see what is working , what is n’t working , what is authoritative , and what is sweep up down the story . And the use of the white space on each page allows my lector to rest and absorb the emotion and experience . "
6.Every Body Looking// Candice Iloh (2021)
Every trunk Lookingstarts off with 18 - year - honest-to-goodness Ada , a first - generation Nigerian American girl , who is going off to college . As we learn more about Ada ’s story , we see how her button-down upbringing has pull her into a loge that she no longer wants to be in . It ’s a story that many readers can pertain to and learn from — and one that encourages us to break the mould and explore our choice , even if that means leaving our comfort zone .
7.Punching the Air// Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (2020)
In collaboration with critically acclaimed Young Adult author Ibi Zoboi , Yusef Salaam add a moving story of a Black Islamic teenager going through the juvenile custody process in the 2020 poesy novelPunching the Air . Salaam is one of the Central Park Five — now referred to asthe clear Five — and his book tell apart the story of Amal Shahid , a 16 - yr - quondam serving clock time in prison house for a crime he did n’t commit . ThisNational Book Awardfinalist , which is told through poem , is made all the more brawny as Salaam draws upon his own experiences to craft an important message .
8.Red, White, and Whole// Rajani LaRocca (2021)
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