Getting Caught in the Rhythm of a Book

As we check-in books we often leaf through ones that have interesting covers and find something even more intriguing on the pages.

"Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds caught my eye this week. It is a novel that is written in verse or narrative poetry.

The story portrays one young man's journey with gun violence takes place in just over 60 seconds. The narrative poetry instantly engages you and the imagery of the words provide added intrigue.

Coincidentally, another book in verse, Jacqueline Woodson's "Brown Girl Dreaming'" was requested by a patron this week. The citation of this book describes how verse can really "sing" the story to the reader: "Using words that sing with both the complexity and simplicity of a symphony, and memories that both sting and inspire, Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming is an intimate journey of victory, sorrow, and discovery."

One of the earlier books in verse I remember enjoying is the classic, "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse, which many of our children still read in school.  My daughter and I read it as part of a Mother/Daughter bookclub and most of the members of the bookclub were pleasantly surprised how much the imagery of life during the Great Depression and Oklahoma dust storms came through the verse narration told by a young girl. My daughter said the book was one of her favorite reads with that group.

Readers also enjoy books in verse written by popular authors Sharon Creech and Ellen Hopkins.

You can find these books and authors in the Children or Young Adult sections of the library.

Check them out and see if they resonate with you.   

Find a favorite? Let us know.

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