April is National Poetry Month, and we’re here to help you fill it with beautiful books! These books are great to read aloud, and will inspire readers to put pen to paper. Most importantly, they will help readers experience the beauty and power of words.
This guide provides tips and strategies from renowned poet, educator, and literacy advocate Pat Mora about how to use poetry with students in various educational settings and creative ways to make poetry fun and engaging for young people.
Children’s Books
written and illustrated by Maya Gonzalez
TEJAS STAR READING LIST SELECTION
⭐"An exquisitely crafted call to honor ourselves, one another and the natural world." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
NCTE NOTABLE POETRY LIST
⭐"Succinct poetry shines in this impassioned celebration of history; the stories of this African-American family traveling the globe are rich with heart and color." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
by Pat Mora and illustrated by Amber Alvarez
"This collection of lovely poetry comes together with warm, loving illustrations to show how extraordinary everyday life is." —Booklist
by Jorge Argueta and illustrated by Elizabeth Gómez
Young Jorgito has come to live in the Mission District of San Francisco, but he hasn’t forgotten the unique beauty of El Salvador.
"An appealing choice to fill the need for books about Salvadoreños, as well as an excellent addition to any poetry collection." —School Library Journal
by Tony Medina and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
⭐TWO STARRED REVIEWS⭐
NCTE NOTABLE BOOKS IN THE LANGUAGE ARTS
⭐"Medina's words stand on their own while they honor the tradition established by Hughes. . . Christie's full-page, vibrant illustrations and broad expanses of bold, flat colors and stylized figures invite readers into the world of sharecroppers, ocean liners, and libraries. . . A stunning collaboration." —School Library Journal, starred review
written and illustrated by Christy Hale
⭐TWO STARRED REVIEWS⭐
MATHICAL BOOK PRIZE HONOR
⭐"Whether this is a science book written as poetry, or a poetry book written about science, the text could easily be adapted to lessons from the primary grades all the way though middle school. . . A fascinating and creative look at a little-known STEM topic." —School Library Journal, starred review
Middle Grade & Young Adult
compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins
An outstanding celebration of diversity and family: fourteen poets and sixteen illustrators of diverse backgrounds share memorable childhood experiences and reflect upon their different heritages, traditions, and beliefs.
by Doan Phuong Nguyen
GOLDEN KITE AWARD FINALIST
⭐"This highly readable verse memoir beautifully portrays the internal anguish of growing up and adapting to life in a new country." —School Library Journal, starred review
by Guadalupe García McCall
PURA BELPRÉ AUTHOR AWARD WINNER
WILLIAM C. MORRIS YA DEBUT AWARD FINALIST
⭐"With poignant imagery and well-placed Spanish, the author effectively captures the complex lives of teenagers in many Latino and/or immigrant families. A promising, deeply felt debut." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
by G. Neri and illustrated by Jess Joshua Watson
YALSA QUICK PICKS FOR RELUCTANT YOUNG ADULT READERS LIST
"Neri expertly captures Marcus's voice and delicately teases out his alternating vulnerability and rage. The cadence and emotion of the verse are masterfully echoed through Watson's expressive acrylic illustrations. . . This book will become a standby pick for reluctant readers, who will be pulled in before they know it by the story's quick pace and the authenticity of Marcus's voice and experience." —School Library Journal
by Alessandra Narváez Varela
⭐TWO STARRED REVIEWS⭐
RISE: A FEMINIST BOOK PROJECT BOOKLIST
⭐"Poignant. . . Anamaria experiments with poetry structures and formats as she explores young womanhood and self-love, composing sentimental letters to her current and older selves and salvaging friendships gone sour. As readers meet her parents, friends, and other allies, she opens up about serious mental-health concerns and personal trauma, all conveyed through her relatable persona. Fans of The House on Mango Street or The House of the Spirits will be riveted." —Booklist, starred review
