We Are Poets & You Know It(s)! Great Reads During National Poetry Month
By: Anders Arnold
April is National Poetry Month and this is the perfect time to discover (or re-discover) the beautiful art of poetry. Here’s a great little guide to help you check out some awesome titles, learn more about some modern poets and gather general information about the month-long celebration.
Check these out:
For Teens / Young Adults
Black Girl Magic by Mahogany L. Brown
Enchanted Air: two cultures, two wings: a memoir by Margarita Engle
Blue Lipstick: concrete poems by John Grandits
Poisoned Apples: poems for you, my pretty by Christine Heppermann
October Mourning: a song for Matthew Shepard by Leslea Newman
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
I Just Hope it’s Lethal: poems of sadness, madness and joy by Liz Rosenberg
True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Other YA suggestions via GoodReads
1. YA Novels in Verse
2. Young Adult Poetry
For Children & Families
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Love by Matt de la Pena; illustrated by Loren Long
Voice from the Underground Railroad by Kay Winters; illustrated by Larry Day
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson
For Older Teens & Adults
- American Poetry: the nineteeth century, vol. 1
- Map to the Stars by Adrian Matejka
- You Can Write Poetry by Jeff Mock
- Poetry and Tales by Edgar Allan Poe
- Poetry for Dummies by John Timpane
- Why Poetry by Matthew Zapruder
Hamilton East Public Library is proud to offer some poetry-themed programs in April. Please make sure to mark your calendars and check out these exciting events:
4/17 – Fishers Verse Come, Verse Served Poetry Slam! (Teens only, Grades 8-12, Fishers Library 6:30-8pm)
4/28 – An Afternoon with Award Winning Poet, Adrian Matejka (Adult program, Fishers Library, 1-2:30pm)
Want more info about some modern poets? Three are highlighted below…
1. Kwame Alexander
2. Ellen Hopkins
3. Adrian Matejka
There’s a lot more information out there featuring other talented poets. Do some searching and don’t forget to check with your librarian…we’re here to help!
Looking for general information about National Poetry Month? Click here.