Read 12 Verse Novels in 2025

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6 participants (22 books)

01 Jan 2025—31 Dec 2025

Overview

Read 12 Verse Novels in 2025
What is a verse novel? 
A verse novel is defined as a novel-length narrative told in poetry rather than verse, and depending on the story, will use different types of poetry and poetic forms to tell the story. The poetry within the verse novel will have a distinct voice as well. It is a distinct hybrid form which has its roots in epic poetry but is a newer development stretching back to the nineteenth century and has taken different forms throughout its history. Verse novels, as Sally Murphy points out, need to consider things like line length, but also whether the story and all its elements will work as a verse novel. I can see how this would be a good process, as some stories might work better as prose novels, whilst others have the most impact as verse novels, such as one I read recently called Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer. From my reading, the rhythm of the verse novel is just as important as the narrative, because the verses and poetic forms used in combination with the words are what ensure the novels have impact where they need to.
https://www.ncacl.org.au/resources/bibliographies/australian-verse-novels-resource/ 

Challenge Books

All books added
Little Bones by Sandy Bigna

Little Bones

Sandy Bigna

288 pages • 2025 • 1 edition

fiction fantasy middle grade poetry emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
Thirty Talks Weird Love by Alessandra Narváez Varela

Thirty Talks Weird Love

Alessandra Narváez Varela

205 pages • 2021 • 4 editions

fiction young adult dark emotional slow-paced
Me (Moth) by Amber McBride

Me (Moth)

Amber McBride

248 pages • 2021 • 5 editions

fiction magical realism poetry young adult emotional reflective sad fast-paced
We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride

We Are All So Good at Smiling

Amber McBride

320 pages • 2023 • 8 editions

fiction fantasy poetry young adult dark emotional sad medium-paced
500 Words or Less by Juleah del Rosario

500 Words or Less

Juleah del Rosario

384 pages • 2018 • 5 editions

fiction contemporary poetry young adult emotional reflective slow-paced
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Clap When You Land

Elizabeth Acevedo

432 pages • 2020 • 32 editions

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ poetry young adult emotional reflective sad medium-paced
The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them) by Nadine Aisha Jassat

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them)

Nadine Aisha Jassat

343 pages • 2023 • 3 editions

fiction middle grade poetry young adult emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood, Greg Dawson

Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis

Susan Hood, Greg Dawson

352 pages • 2022 • 4 editions

nonfiction biography history middle grade poetry emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
The Crossing by Manjeet Mann

The Crossing

Manjeet Mann

320 pages • 2021 • 4 editions

fiction contemporary poetry sociology young adult emotional medium-paced
Swing by Kwame Alexander

Swing

Kwame Alexander

448 pages • 2018 • 9 editions

fiction poetry young adult emotional reflective fast-paced