Relax and reflect with September's Year in Reading challenge, Rhymes & Reflections!
To find more titles, search the catalog by subject and then type either novels in verse or poetry!
See Also:
New & Best List
The Black Flamingo
Author(s):
Description:
"Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he's navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican--but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough. As he gets older, Michael's coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs--and the Black Flamingo is born. Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are--and allow us to shine" --FantasticFiction.com.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Att
See Also:
Trouper
Author(s):
Description:
Trouper, a three-legged dog, remembers his life as a stray, before he was adopted.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
E Kea
See Also:
I am Maria : my reflections and poems on heartbreak, healing, and finding your way home
Author(s):
Description:
"A book like no other, I Am Maria weaves Shriver's hard-earned wisdom with her own deeply personal poetry. I Am Maria reminds readers there is strength and love on the other side of all of our hardest days"--
Format:
Book
Call Number:
811.6 Shr
See Also:
Inheritance : a visual poem
Author(s):
Description:
Here Elizabeth Acevedo embraces all the complexities of Black hair and Afro-Latinidad--the history, pain, pride, and powerful love of that inheritance. Paired with illustrations by artist Andrea Pippins, this poem can now be read in a vibrant package, inspiration for readers of any age. --From statement provided by Goodreads.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA 811 Ace
See Also:
Here is the beehive
Author(s):
Description:
After discovering that her married lover has been killed in an accident, estate lawyer Ana Kelly, alone and undone, seeks friendship with the person who she once thought of as her adversary and opposite, but who is now the only one who shares her pain--Rebecca, her lover's widow.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
FIC Cro
See Also:
The Great Gathering Place
Author(s):
Description:
"Let's go to the Great Gathering Place. Come, I'll take you... So begins this canoe trip to the other shore to meet friends and relatives. There, at the Great Gathering Place, we'll talk and laugh and solve problems together. We'll thank the Grandfathers and Grandmothers who share with us the riches of the natural world. We'll feast and we'll remember what it means to be generous and kind. And we'll always love one another, here at this place where we can be together. This powerful poem by Metis poet and educator Naomi McIlwraith, paired with luminous illustrations by Cree artist Onedove, invites readers to celebrate the meeting places where people from different backgrounds can discover belonging and community. It's a beautiful meditation on Indigenous values and a call to always be gentle, generous and kind as we love one another. And it's a reminder that the places where we gather together are sacred and deserve our protection. Featuring Cree words along with a glossary and pronunciation guide."--
Format:
Book
Call Number:
J 811.6 McI
See Also:
The Lehman trilogy : a novel
Author(s):
Description:
The Lehman Trilogy -- novel in verse inspired the West End and Off-Broadway play of the same name -- follows the epic rise and fall of three generations of that infamous family and through them tells the story of American ambition and hubris. After leaving his native Bavaria, Henry Lehman arrives in America determined to make a better life. Sensing opportunity in the Deep South, he opens a textile shop in Alabama, laying the foundation for a dynasty that will come to dominate and define modern capitalism. Emanuel and his brother Mayer begin investing in anything and everything that will turn a profit, from cotton to coal to railroads to oil to airplanes―even at the expense of the very nation that forged them --Adapted from Amazon.com.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
FIC Mas
See Also:
My name is Jason. Mine too : our story, our way - VIEW IN CATALOG
My name is Jason. Mine too : our story, our way
Author(s):
Description:
"Jason Reynold. Jason Griffin. One a poet. One an artist. One Black. One white. Two voices. One journey. To move to New York, and make it in New York. Best friends willing to have a hard life if it meant a happy life. All they needed was a chance. A reissue of a memoir of a moment in time within a lifetime of friendship"--
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA 811 Rey
See Also:
Time for haiku : four seasons of poems
Author(s):
Description:
Time for Haiku invites young readers on a poetic journey through the seasons. Arranged from fall to winter and then spring to summer, this charming collection of haiku captures the small, fleeting sensory wonders of the natural world: the hush of falling snow, the rhythm of ocean waves, the shimmer of sun on golden sand, and the sound of waves in a seashell. Each poem serves as a gentle bridge between language and science, making the traditional Japanese haiku form both accessible and enriching for elementary students. Luciano Lozano's Japanese art-inspired illustrations, with their minimalist brushstrokes and dynamic perspectives, bring each seasonal moment to life with warmth and whimsy.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
J 861 San
See Also:
Under a carnivore sky
Author(s):
Description:
Raised in a town surrounded by a labyrinthian, man-eating swamp, Lili craves nothing more than to track down the monster lurking in its depths and kill it. The monster's curse claims the flesh and bone of every adult in town. For generations, people have tried to kill it or escape the town altogether, but every path out of town leads them right back. Caleb, a bookish boy with dreams of freedom, is hungry to escape. With Lili's help and knowledge of the swamp, he thinks he can make a map to freedom. Lili hopes that with a better sense of its territory, she might finally find and kill the monster. Sharing in the danger and the beauty of the landscape sparks a friendship, and then something more. However, what they discover disrupts everything Lili thought she knew about the town, her father, the monster, and herself.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Jet
See Also:
Kween
Author(s):
Description:
Soma Kear’s verses have gone viral. Trouble is, she didn’t exactly think her slam poetry video through. All she knew was that her rhymes were urgent. On fire. An expression of where she was, and that place...was a hot mess. Following her Ba’s deportation back to Cambodia, everything’s changed. Her Ma is away trying to help Ba adjust to his new life, and her older sister has taken charge with a new authoritarian tone. Meanwhile, Soma’s trending video pushes her to ask if it’s time to level up. With her school’s spoken word contest looming, Soma must decide: Is she brave enough to put herself out there? To publicly reveal her fears of Ba not returning? To admit that things may never be the same? With every line she spits, Soma searches for a way to make sense of the world around her. The answers are at the mic.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Chu
See Also:
We belong
Author(s):
Description:
Through a bedtime story to her daughters, a woman weaves together her immigration story and Pilipino mythology. Includes glossary, songs, and author's note.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
J FIC Eve
See Also:
Thinky thoughts : all grown up and still just as confused: a collection of thoughts
Author(s):
Description:
"Before I was a mom who cusses, I was a millennial. Before I was that, I was just a kid with a brain that moved too fast. I've spent more time than I'm proud of getting lost in my Thinky Thoughts. They go a little something like this: How has my childhood shaped my motherhood? I might have lost my phone again. Is it that big a deal if the kids call me cringe? I haven't left the house today. Is it a problem that I don't leave the house for days? Why does my daughter hate rollercoasters but love adzuki beans? Cranberry bog spiders. What if they rearrange the grocery store again? Thinky Thoughts walks the line between memoir, storytelling, guided meditation, and self-help. It's a little bit of explanation, a lot a bit of exploration, and a tiny bit of still not knowing what's I'm supposed to be doing as an adult. It's also being okay with not knowing. Thinky Thoughts won't answer life's great questions. But it will make you feel a little better knowing you're not alone in asking them"-- Provided by publisher.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
818.609 Lai
See Also:
Estela, undrowning
Author(s):
Description:
Estela Morales is one of the only Latinas who tested into San Francisco's most exclusive public high school. In her senior year, Estela just wants to keep her head down, eke out a passing grade from her racist Spanish teacher, and get into her dream college. But after placing second in the Latiné Heritage Poetry Contest behind a non-Latino student, Estela is thrust into citywide debates about merit, identity, and diversity. Things only get messier when her family is threatened with eviction. As Estela's friends organize against bigotry and her landlady increases the pressure, Estela is suffocating and finds release only in poetry and in a breathless new romance. When tensions finally reach their breaking point, Estela must find a way to undrown the community she loves--and herself.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Pen
See Also:
Stream : a novel in two voices
Author(s):
Description:
"With eighth grade done, Elio Solis plans to lock in on his gaming and show the fellas what he's got. Celi Rivera and her bestie are headed to Hawaii to sun, skate, and search content for her channel. But those dreams end when a catfishing incident rocks their Oakland community. Suddenly, parents are nosing in posts, taking phones, and laying down lectures about screen-time safety and well-being. Suddenly, Celi and Elio find themselves sent to rural Mexico, without internet, electricity, or even running water save for a dying stream that could wipe out the whole pueblo in the coming summer rains. Helping curanderas in a healing clinic, and carting sticks to rehabilitate the arroyo, turn summer dreams to misery. Can they find their way to each other, and slowly back to themselves?" -- Book jacket.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Sal
See Also:
Words can fly : mindful and uplifting poetry for children - VIEW IN CATALOG
Words can fly : mindful and uplifting poetry for children
Author(s):
Description:
"From heartfelt reminders like "Gratitude Goggles" to thoughtful explorations of belonging in "Fitting", each poem gently touches on what matters most in young lives--family, friendships, school, and the world around us--encouraging a growth mindset that fosters empathy and builds resilience. Through heartfelt verses like "Butter Side Down," "Siblings," and "Youier," children are inspired to celebrate their unique identities, embrace curiosity, and discover the transformative power of kindness and compassion."--Publisher.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
J 821.92 Ash
See Also:
Unsettled
Author(s):
Description:
Young Nurah reluctantly moves with her family from Karachi, Pakistan, to Peachtree City, Georgia, but, after some ups and downs, begins to feel at home.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
J FIC Far
See Also:
Make believe : poems for hoping again
Author(s):
Description:
"They say you can't make yourself believe in things, and they might be right. But you can take a walk with optimism. You can hear her out when she tells you the universe is conspiring in your favor. You can keep your eyes peeled for signs that she's right. Somewhere in the future, the next version of you is waiting. Are you ready to stop hiding and go seek them? Viral poet Victoria Hutchins's first book, Make Believe, is a reclamation of childlike wonder and an invitation to stop hiding from your joy. These poems pave a path of reconnection to our bodies, our past, our wanting, and our wonder--ultimately asking, how do you find hope in a world full of pain? Make Believe is for anyone who is embarrassed about how long they've been hiding from themselves, who is one bad day away from thinking the world is a terrible place, whose body feels like an enemy to their soul, or who is struggling to stick around. Hutchins challenges readers to reimagine struggles as superpowers and uses the power of confession and nostalgia to create a world of hope. Make Believe will inspire readers to go out looking, heart in hand, for joy, purpose, and healing"--
Format:
Book
Call Number:
811.6 Hut
See Also:
Let me be honest : 28 young artists on surviving an uncertain world - VIEW IN CATALOG
Let me be honest : 28 young artists on surviving an uncertain world
Author(s):
Description:
"Being a teenager can be hard, especially as the world seems more complex and uncertain than ever. This unique anthology of poetry, prose, and art gives voice to artists navigating this journey, capturing the difficulties and joys of teenage life. Through a wide range of mixed media, the collection explores struggles, substance misuse, relationships, and more with heart, humor, and the occasional word of wisdom"--Page 4 of cover.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA 818.6 Let
See Also:
Barbed wire between us
Author(s):
Description:
A powerful reverso poem about two girls separated by barbed wire and 80 years of history Barbed Wire Between Us is a powerful reverso poem that tells two deeply resonant stories across time. It begins with a Japanese American girl sent to an internment camp in Oklahoma during World War II. Read in reverse, it reveals the journey of a Latina girl detained in the very same camp decades later, during the U.S. policy of migrant family separation. Harrowing and emotionally charged, this poetic narrative compels us to confront a haunting question: What have we truly learned in the past 80 years about how we treat the most vulnerable among us? With haunting symmetry and striking parallels, Barbed Wire Between Us is a moving meditation on justice, memory, and the echoes of history that still shape our present.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
J 811.6 Wen
See Also:
Glassful of prayer
Author(s):
Description:
"A stunning debut collection, Anthony Ceballos' Glassful of Prayer, wrestles with questions of identity against the backdrop of loss, heritage, family ties, addiction, nature, and urban Minneapolis. Ceballos relentlessly delves into the experience of claiming and defining a self with vivid imagery of reflections and nature, and through dreamed or imagined dialogue with an alcoholic father he never knew: "I am not/my father's boy, I am not/his body, I am not nobody.." In another poem, his grandmother's spirit asks, "Who? Who do you want to be?" Ceballos connects these themes of negative and positive identity through a single thread prevalent throughout the collection, authenticity, leading us through a landscape of darkness and ash to a place of self-acceptance and love"--
Format:
Book
Call Number:
811.6 Ceb
See Also:
The song of us
Author(s):
Description:
"Love at first sight isn't a myth. For seventh graders Olivia and Eden, it's fate. Olivia is a capital-P Poet, and Eden thinks she wants to be a musician one day, but for now she's just the new girl. And then Eden shows up to Poetry Club and everything changes. Eden isn't out, and she has rules for dating Olivia: don't call. Don't tell her friends. And don't let anyone know they're together. But when jealousy creeps in, it's Olivia's words that push Eden away. While Eden sets out to find herself, Olivia begins a journey to bring Eden back--using poetry. Both Olivia and Eden will learn just how powerful their words can be to bring them together ... or tear them apart forever" --
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Fus
See Also:
Stitchin' and pullin' : a Gee's Bend quilt - VIEW IN CATALOG
Stitchin' and pullin' : a Gee's Bend quilt
Author(s):
Description:
As a young African American girl pieces her first quilt together, the history of her family, community, and the struggle for justice and freedom in Gee's Bend, Alabama unfolds.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
E McK
See Also:
Anna-Jane and the endless summer
Author(s):
Description:
"Anna-Jane is thrilled to be back at Camp Chester, the one place she feels like she belongs. But not long after Anna-Jane unpacks her trunk, weird things start happening. First, townspeople near camp begin disappearing. Then, the internet, cell service, and all other forms of communication are cut off. Soon, Anna-Jane and the residents of Camp Chester realize they are completely alone. Or so they think. Across the lake, the kids spot a strange flashing light. And when animals begin turning up with yellowed eyes and disfigured limbs, it is clear the dangers are only growing. Most alarming of all, though, is the deepening distrust among the campers themselves, which could have deadly consequences. Anna-Jane knows what to expect from a summer at camp, but what happens when camp lasts well beyond the summer?"
Format:
Book
Call Number:
YA FIC Cla
See Also:
You're a poet : ways to start writing poems - VIEW IN CATALOG
You're a poet : ways to start writing poems
Author(s):
Description:
"You're a Poet is a story book with a difference -- through five uniquely warm and cosy tales, readers can delight in the happy world of Piglet, his family and his friends and, at the same time, learn five brilliantly fun and easy ways to write a poem. Within each story, Sean Taylor shows children how to make a: "Puddle Poem", a "Comparing Poem", a "Make a Person Poem", an "If I Was Poem" and an "I Would Give You Poem". With plenty of poetry-writing tips and tricks after each story, Sean makes this form truly accessible and by the end of the book, even the very smallest of children will be able to confidently call themselves a poet."--Amazon.
Format:
Book
Call Number:
E Tay