Five Treasures to be Found in Novels in Verse

By Marci Whitehurst Novels in verse are a hybrid form of storytelling. Novels in verse combine a complete narrative with the structure of poetry, bringing depth and richness to the beauty of stories.  Here are five treasures you’ll find in a novel in verse:  POETRY!  This treasure is obvious on every page of a novel in verse. Each page is a poem. The majority are free verse poems, meaning these poems don’t follow a particular meter, form, or rhythm. The poems can stand alone, but when each page of poetry is read from beginning to end, it weaves a full narrative to make a complete story. Check out this example from our own Rebecca J. Gomez’s forthcoming novel in verse:  Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published We call this car, Sandra’s white clunky car, a marshmallow with wheels. It’s riddled with dings and dents, and the rear driver’s side window is stuck stubbornly up and the tear in the vinyl seat pinches if you sit just wrong while wearing shorts

Summer Challenge Sign-Up and Giveaway!


 Adventure awaits! The Read, Discuss, Do! Summer Challenge officially kicks off on June 2, and we are gearing up with a giveaway for all who sign up to participate. Signing up is not necessary for you to join the fun, but if you DO sign up, you’ll be entered to win one of two books to add to your picture book library.

The books: BAA, BAA, TAP SHEEP by Kendra Henthorn, illustrated by Lauren Gallegos and TWO TOUGH TRUCKS GET LOST by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Hilary Leung (this book will be signed by Rebecca).


How to enter: DEADLINE EXTENDED! Leave a comment on this post! That’s it. Well, also, you have to be at least 18 years old and have a U.S. mailing address to be eligible. Easy, right? The winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. CDT, Friday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m. CDT so get your comments in by Thursday, June 1st at 11:59 p.m. CDT!

Head on over and sign up! And be sure to grab the printable bookmarks too. Click the image to download the PDF.

Would you like to help us spread the word? Download the yellow image at the top 👆 of this page to share on social media. You could also download and print the black and white one 👇 and have your kids color it. Your choice!

One more thing! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter (now on Substack) so that you don't miss any updates. The weekly themes will go out every Friday beginning June 2. If you subscribed to the newsletter before, you'll need to subscribe again if you want to keep receiving emails. 

Thank you, and happy reading!

Comments

Julia said…
Excited to join in the summer fun!!
Yay!! This will be fun!
Samantha Coté said…
Through this legally binding comment I hereby declare my intent to participate in the summer festivities!
Samantha Worthing said…
Looking forward to a summer of reading on the porch with my kiddos 😊
Stephanie Ekstedt said…
Can't wait to see the fun you have planned 😁
Sandy Terry said…
Count us in!
Mindy Baker said…
So excited to have you all joining us this summer!!