Novels in Poetic Verse

During poetry units, it's a wonderful idea to read a few novels in verse. Check out Scholastic's List of Novels in Verse for some ideas. I've added a few of my favorite titles to this blog.

These novels are emotionally driven and can be "that book" that leads students into a love for reading. They tend to be shorter reads because of the format.

For teachers, these books can be a wonderful supplement for history units. They provide student with exposure to poetry without overkill. Reading these types of books can be a great way to practice fluency. Students can also create short, meaningful readers theater skits based on the story, or a just a chapter from the book.

If you are looking for a great addition to a classroom or home library, novels in poetic verse are definitely something to consider!

A Beautiful Novel for All Readers!

Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage, and Triumph is my new favorite nonfiction book. Travis Roy tells the story of his heartbreaking accident that left him paralyzed after playing in his first BU hockey game. The writing is honest, real, and extremely heartfelt. It teaches young readers a powerful message about life and what it means to really live. This would be a great book to read with a student. Travis's story touches the heart of all readers. I highly recommend this book! As we get closer to the holiday season, we could all use a reminder about the importance of family, love, and living life to the fullest.

Full Tilt - A Wild Ride!

Full Tilt by Neil Shusterman is a wild ride! It's haunting, dark, and suspenseful. Blake's troubled younger brother Quinn, has disappeared. Not physically - he's actually laying in a hospital bed. Emotionally and mentally, Quinn has vanished. It's like his soul has disappeared. It's up to his older brother, Blake, to save him. Blake is invited to a secret, ghostly carnival where he has to ride 7 terrifying rides before the sun rises in order to save Quinn. Sounds easy, right? Well, these rides incorporate some of Blake's worst fears and they make him question every aspect of his life. Can he achieve this task, save his brother? Read this book to find out! It's a great read for anyone interested in an adventure novel that has moments of terror and intensity!

I just started reading Small as an Elephant and so far I'm really enjoying it! It's a story about an 11 year old boy  named Jack who has just started an amazing camping trip with his mother in Maine. Yes, Maine! Acadia National Park, to be exact. Jack wakes up on the first morning of this trip and finds that his mother is gone. The car, her tent, and all of her things have vanished. He has no idea where she went, and she is not answering his phone. So, Jack decides to go looking for her. You quickly learn that this is not the first time his mother has disappeared like this. Jack knows he must find her before someone else does, because they could be separated forever if he doesn't. 

Finding his mother in Maine is very difficult. He goes on an adventure to locate her in some of the most beautiful areas in our home state. You will probably recognize the names and locations that are described in this wonderful book. Just another reason to read it! 

This book is about family, strength, and forgiveness. I recommend it to all readers who want something emotionally rich and very meaningful! I have a copy in my classroom library!