What is Poetry?
- A form of writing that expresses an idea or feeling
- Written in verse or lines
- There is often a rhythm or rhyme in the combination of words
- Poems often use imagery to help the reader feel or see
- There are many different types of poetry with specific formats like Haiku, Diamante, Acrostic, etc.
- Anyone can write a poem!
Novels in verse
Novels in verse tell a story through the format of poetry.
See the COLLECTION
Becoming Muhammad Ali by Call Number: FIC PAT
Brown Girl Dreaming by Call Number: FIC WOO
The Crossover by Call Number: FIC ALE
Inside Out and Back Again by Call Number: FIC LAI
The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Call Number: FIC SHO
Lifeboat 12 by Call Number: FIC HOO
Love That Dog by Call Number: FIC CRE
A Work in Progress by
A young boy struggles with body image in this poignant and "perceptive" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade journey to self-acceptance told through prose, verse, and illustration. Will is the only round kid in a school full of thin ones. So he hides...in baggy jeans and oversized hoodies, in the back row during class, and anywhere but the cafeteria during lunch. But shame isn't the only feeling that dominates Will's life. He's also got a crush on a girl named Jules who he knows he doesn't have a chance with, because of his size--but he can't help wondering what if? Will's best shot at attracting Jules's attention is by slaying the Will Monster inside him by changing his eating habits and getting more exercise. But the results are either frustratingly slow or infuriatingly unsuccessful, and Will's shame begins to morph into self-loathing. As he resorts to increasingly drastic measures to transform his appearance, Will meets skateboarder Markus, who helps him see his body and all it contains as an ever-evolving work in progress.
Odder by 
The One Thing You'd Save by 
Flipping Forward Twisting Backward by
A diagnosis of dyslexia could change everything for an aspiring fifth-grade gymnast struggling at school in this authentic, high-energy novel in verse. The print edition of this title is set in a font developed to be easy to read. The gym is where Claire shines and she's on her way to qualifying for the state championships. But at school, she's known as a troublemaker--which is fine with her since it helps her hide her reading problem. Claire has never been able to make sense of the wobbling jumble of letters on a page. When a sympathetic principal wonders if she's acting out because she may have dyslexia, she's stunned. Claire has always assumed she's dumb, so she's eager to get evaluated. But her mother balks. Afraid Claire will be labeled "stupid," she refuses testing. Can Claire take on both her reading challenges and her mother's denial? Is it worth jeopardizing her dream of the state championships? Told in clear and poignant verse and featuring black and white illustrations, Claire's struggle with something that seems to come easily to everyone else will resonate with readers and have them cheering her on.
Poetry Websites
- Poetry MachineTemplates for a huge variety of poetry
Poetry Books in our Library
Haiku, Ew! by
Stop right there!If you think poems about nature are all pretty flowers and rainbow sunsets, this book is not for you. If you can't handle giant whale farts, turn back right now. If you don't want to know how lobsters pee, do not read one word further. Seriously, if you open this book, you're going to find out the disgusting truth about where honey comes from!All right, you're in charge. Don't say we didn't warn you . . .
Publication Date: New! 2024
The call number for poetry in the library is 811.
Here's a few favorites:
Animal Ark by 
Change Sings by 
Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It by 
A Kick in the Head by 
Mirror Mirror by 
Once I Ate a Pie by 
The Playbook by 
Poetrees by 
Step Gently Out by 
A Swinger of Birches by Famous NH poet who went to elementary school in Salem, NH!
That Sweet Diamond by 
Wet Cement by 
You Read to Me, I'll Read to You by
Online Rhyming Dictionary
Try Magnetic Poetry
Click on the picture to make a working copy. Drag and drop the words on the picture to create your poem!
Fun with Shel Silverstein
- ShelSilverstein.comSo many fun poems to watch and play with here!