8 Must-Read Novels in Verse by Authors of Color for National Poetry Month

Verse novels blend poetry with traditional storytelling, offering a fresh take on beloved genres and themes. A new wave of writers is embracing this form to explore pressing contemporary issues like race, identity, and sexuality. As National Poetry Month draws near, here are eight compelling verse novels by authors of color that deserve a spot on your reading list this month—or anytime.

1. Other Words for Home // Jasmine Warga (2019)

As violence escalates in Syria, Jude and her pregnant mother are sent to live with relatives in Cincinnati, leaving her brother and father behind. This heartfelt story, Other Words for Home, explores themes of belonging, identity, and family. Recognized as a Newbery Honor Book in 2020, the novel draws from Jasmine Warga's personal experiences as the child of a Jordanian immigrant. While written for middle-grade readers, its emotional depth resonates with audiences of all ages.

2. Home Is Not a Country // Safia Elhillo (2021)

Safia Elhillo, celebrated in Forbes Africa’s “30 Under 30,” crafts a poignant verse novel about Nima, a first-generation Muslim teen grappling with her sense of belonging. Nima’s journey is deeply tied to her racial, ethnic, and religious identity, reflecting struggles many readers can relate to. Though raised in an American suburb, she dreams of a homeland she’s never seen, a place her mother often speaks of. In 2021, Home Is Not a Country earned a spot on the National Book Award longlist for Young People's Literature.

3. The Black Flamingo // Dean Atta (2020)

This novel traces the life of Michael Angeli, a mixed-race gay teenager in London, as he navigates his identity and embraces his true self. From childhood to college, Michael’s journey includes embracing his drag persona, The Black Flamingo. Praised as one of the 100 best YA books by TIME magazine, the novel also won a Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award in 2020.

4. Clap When You Land // Elizabeth Acevedo (2020)

Elizabeth Acevedo, acclaimed for her National Book Award-winning novel The Poet X, delivers another masterpiece with Clap When You Land. This compelling story revolves around Yahaira and Camino, two teenage girls who discover they share the same father after his tragic death in a plane crash. Told through alternating perspectives, the novel explores themes of grief, hidden truths, and the bonds of found family.

5. Turtle Under Ice // Juleah del Rosario (2020)

For readers captivated by Clap When You Land, Turtle Under Ice offers a similarly poignant narrative. While it doesn’t delve into hidden family ties, it focuses on Rowena and Ariana, two sisters grappling with the loss of their mother years earlier. Their grief intensifies when Ariana mysteriously disappears during a snowstorm. In an interview with Publishers Weekly, author Juleah del Rosario shared that writing in verse helps her refine the story’s emotional core, allowing readers to pause and absorb the depth of each moment.

6. Every Body Looking // Candice Iloh (2021)

This novel introduces Ada, an 18-year-old first-generation Nigerian American, as she embarks on her college journey. Through Ada’s story, we witness her struggle against the constraints of a conservative upbringing and her desire to break free. The narrative resonates with readers, inspiring them to step beyond their comfort zones and embrace new possibilities.

7. Punching the Air // Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (2020)

Co-authored by celebrated YA writer Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, Punching the Air is a gripping 2020 verse novel about Amal Shahid, a Black Muslim teenager navigating the juvenile justice system. Salaam, a member of the Exonerated Five, infuses the story with his personal experiences, creating a poignant narrative of injustice and resilience. This National Book Award finalist uses poetry to deliver a powerful and timely message.

8. Red, White, and Whole // Rajani LaRocca (2021)

Set in 1983, Red, White, and Whole follows Reha, a 13-year-old Indian-American girl who feels caught between two worlds. At school, she’s the only Indian-American student, juggling her cultural heritage at home with the pressures of fitting into American life. As she prepares for the school dance, her world is upended when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia. This heartfelt coming-of-age story by Rajani LaRocca received widespread acclaim and was honored as a Newbery Honor Book in 2022.