▼

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Celebrating National Poetry Month!

Okay, so it's April, which means it's National Poetry Month. I know, I know, some of you are madly blogging with the A-Z blogging challenge. My hat goes off to you! I can barely think of anything to blog about these days, though I do have something up my sleeve!

Anyway, since I wrote a novel in verse, I thought I'd spotlight a few books this month that are written in verse that are absolutely wonderful.


Up today is INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN by Thanhha La. It is a brilliant novel that you can read in about 45 minutes. It details the story of Ha as she leaves Saigon and comes to America.

Here's the official blurb: For all the ten years of her life, Ha has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by, and the beauty of her very own papaya tree. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Ha and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope.

 This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.

I loved how the story came to life with just a few words. I loved the relationships between Ha and her brothers, as well as her mother. The sparseness of the words allows the emotion to flow freely. I think that's one of my favorite things about verse novels in general. INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN is no exception. It's a beautiful novel about a girl and her family surviving terrible things.

I hope if you're looking for a novel in verse to read this National Poetry Month that you'll try INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN. I don't think you're regret it.

Have you ever read a novel in verse? Which one did you like?
at

4 comments:

  1. StephscoApril 3, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    I read a book about the Salem witch trials by Stephanie Hemphill told in verse. I listened to the audiobook which was pretty cool.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dianne K. SalerniApril 3, 2014 at 2:24 PM

    Let's see: There's Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, of course, and Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. The one I've read most recently was May B. by Caroline Starr Rose which was a story of survival on the prairie.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sheena-kay GrahamApril 4, 2014 at 12:55 AM

    If you like this you should read Esperanza Rising. It's not in verse but I borrowed it from the library about two years ago or so and you'll see why it's an award winning book as well. I enjoy writing poetry and reading it as well. This book sounds touching and sad. Good pick Elana.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MontanamarynotmarthaApril 6, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    Yes, I have read this. I really liked it. The verse felt light, like it was free from all the messy extras. It really helped me relate to people who are out of their element. I love the cover, too!

    ReplyDelete