Tag: poetry

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2027) Feature Review: King of Neuro Verse by Idris Goodwin

  • King of the Neuro Verse by Idris Goodwin
  • Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster
  • Publication Date: October 14, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781665973120

Pernell is determined to make the most of his third summer in a row at summer school by becoming this summer’s Cypher King – the leader of the summer school lunchroom informal rap circles. With tape recorder in hand, Pernell records his journey for “future listeners” through freestyling, interviews with friends and family, and stray observations. Throughout, he (and those around him) slowly begin to accept that his ADHD diagnosis which has always been treated like a “problem” might actually be what makes him who he is and his strength as a potential Cypher King. 

Told through a mix of engaging freestyle verse, humorous observations, and thoughtful interactions with parents and friends, Goodwin has created a compelling protagonist that teens will either root for or relate to. Pernell’s journey to embrace his neurodiversity as a strength rather than a weakness never feels preachy or heavy-handed and takes real teen readers’ own issues with teachers and adults who might not understand seriously. Teens will no doubt appreciate that there is little attempt to lionize the burnt out English teacher who serves as Pernell’s main antagonist. The font of the book is unique and there is a lot of white space on the page which should draw in reluctant readers who are turned off by traditional text. Pernell’s relatability and sense of humor should appeal to a wide range of teens but reluctant readers who struggle with school due to undiagnosed or misunderstood neurodivergency will find this particularly resonant. While the book takes place nearly 30 years ago (right before 2000) the focus on now iconic hip hop and punk music of the late 90s will likely still appeal to most teens, but particularly readers with a fondness for nostalgia music.  

A great choice for reluctant readers who enjoyed Jason Reynolds Track series or Kwame Alexander’s Booked as younger readers. This is also a lighter choice for teens who liked heavier novels in verse like Jason Reynold’s Long Way Down or Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam’s Punching the Air.  

–Maryanne Olson

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Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2027) Feature Review: Truth is by Hannah V. Sawyerr

  • Truth Is
  • by Hannah V. Sawyerr
  • Amulet Books
  • Publication Date: September 23, 2025
  • ISBN: 9781419776830

Young poet Truth Bangura knows the truth – she’s pregnant – before she even takes the test. She also knows she can’t disappoint her overly protective mom whose own career plans were derailed when she became pregnant at seventeen. And when Truth’s high achieving best friend doesn’t understand her choice to seek an abortion, she finds herself alone. Truth decides to move forward on her own and finds a new circle of friends in a slam poetry team. If it wasn’t for a viral video of her performing a poem about her choice, her secret might have been safe. 

Through a variety of poetic forms from free verse to journal entries, poetry prompts, and multiple choice lists, this novel in verse keeps the pages turning quickly.  Readers will be drawn into Truth’s predicament and her struggle to forge her own path when everything and (mostly) everyone seems to be against her. The book also provides some eye-opening insight into the difficulty of seeking abortion care. Truth’s slow building romance with a supportive teammate is icing on the cake for reluctant readers.   

Juniors and seniors who feel a little uncertain about their futures will identify strongly with Truth. Budding writers may also be inspired by many of the writing prompts. Readers who enjoyed the depiction of poetry slams in “Bright Red Fruit” by Safia Elhillo and learning about the struggle for abortion access in “Plan A” by Deb Coletti will really get into this book.

–Lily Mayfield

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Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2027) Featured Review: Hekate: The Witch by Nikita Gill

  • Hekate: The Witch 
  • Author: Nikita Gill
  • Narrated by Nikita Gill
  • Hachette Audio
  • Publication Date: September 16, 2025
  • ISBN:9781668651780

This lyrical origin story of the Greek goddess of witchcraft explores themes of war and identity as young Hekate struggles to uncover her godly purpose while hidden away in the Underworld. Fleeing the violence of the newly crowned Olympian gods, Hekate grows up along the banks of the River Styx with few other gods nearby and little knowledge of her own past or future. Faced with many questions about who she is becoming and why she lost her mother after the war, Hekate must decide whether her quiet life with the goddess Styx is worth more than the answers hidden beyond the river’s banks.

Read by the author, Hekate: The Witch comes to life with the lyrical, poetic rhythm of Gill’s telling. She uses traditional Greek pronunciations, which ground the story in this ancient setting. Hekate’s pain, loneliness, frustration, and joy are easily discerned and very moving in the narration. The listener experiences Hekate growing from a young child torn away from her family by a terrible war into a young woman determined to discover her power despite all obstacles through Gill’s masterful prose and changing voice. 

Weaving a mysterious and powerful story, this audiobook takes the myth back to its ancient roots and asks its modern listeners to question why the men in power are always so afraid of women. While not written in verse, Gill’s narration clearly evokes the poetic cadence woven throughout the book, emulating the flow of a Greek epic that is at once timeless and increasingly relevant.
Fans of Natasha Bowen, Ibi Zoboi’s (S)Kin, and Rachel Smythe’s Lore Olympus will enjoy this dynamic retelling of Greek Underworld mythology.

-Lee Cooney (they/them)

Other Nominated Titles

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.

Follow YALSA’s The Hub on YouTube for exclusive author interviews!

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: The Story of My Anger by Jasmine Mendez

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  • The Story of My Anger
  • by Jasminne Mendez
  • Narrated by Jasminne Mendez, Shayr Guthrie, Pamela Gold, Rae De Vine, Angel Pean, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Reynaldo Piniella, Nayib Felix and Almarie Guerra
  • Listening Library/ Books on Tape
  • Publication Date: September 15, 2025
  • ISBN: 9780000000000

Dominican-American Yulieta lives in Texas with her mother and aspires to be a Broadway actor. Her dream of being the first Black lead in a play at her school is crushed by her racist theater teacher, and she and her friends start their own guerrilla theater group, speaking up about issues like racism and book censorship.

Part novel-in-verse, part play, this book is a genre-bender with a powerful message. The audiobook producers put a lot of thought into adapting this book to an audio format, and it shows through the full-cast narration. Parts of the book, such as the interspersed play scripts are dramatized, with voice actors voicing different parts. This makes the audiobook immersive and engaging, and amplifies the voices of all characters, without taking away from the message of the story or the main character.

For similar audiobooks, please see A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe by Mahogany L. Browne and Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith, Jr.

-Anush Balayan

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E.Y. Stemple


Dylan is lost. He feels like an outsider everywhere he goes. His mother is absent. His grandfather, with whom he lives, doesn’t seem to care. The only place he finds peace is in the woods behind his grandfather’s auto shop. One afternoon, he finds an injured hawk and alerts a sanctuary. At the sanctuary, he finds new purpose and connection. 

This heartfelt novel in verse about finding yourself and reimagining your community will inspire readers who have also felt unseen. Dylan’s poetry is rough and sometimes feels immature, giving it an authentically teenage feel. Additionally, Dylan is a compelling character. The subject matter is relatable to others in small towns. As a verse novel, there is plenty of white space, and the cover, while quiet, hides a compelling story of mental health and life in all its messiness. With the title, this book will appeal to both the nature lover and the auto mechanic who just needs to feel seen. 

Great for readers who loved the verse format of Jason Reynolds’s Track series, but are looking for a little bit more John Green-like content. 

–Josie Snow

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith Jr.

Knucklehead is a powerful and intimate poetry memoir by Tony Keith Jr., exploring his experiences as a Black queer boy growing up in 1980s and 1990s Washington, D.C. Through a mix of verse and narrative, Keith confronts issues of identity, masculinity, race, and sexuality while navigating a world that often tried to define or limit him. The audiobook, performed by the author, brings raw emotional resonance to the storytelling, offering listeners an authentic and deeply personal journey of self-discovery, resilience, and love.

Tony Keith Jr.’s narration of Knucklehead is stunningly heartfelt. His voice adds depth and emotion that elevate the poems beyond the page, making each piece feel like a one-on-one conversation. The pacing, rhythm, and inflection capture the musicality of his poetry while enhancing the memoir aspects. It’s a deeply moving listening experience that blends lyrical artistry with vulnerability. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds or George M. Johnson, this audiobook is an essential addition to collections highlighting intersectional voices and lived experience.

Comparable Book Recommendations

  • All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
     Genre: Memoir / Nonfiction
    A series of personal essays that explore Johnson’s experiences growing up Black and queer, navigating family, gender expectations, and self-love. Honest, raw, and empowering, this memoir is also available in audiobook form, read by the author for added impact.
  • Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
     Genre: Novel in Verse
    This lyrical coming-of-age story follows Michael, a mixed-race gay teen in London, as he discovers his identity and finds freedom through drag. Written in verse, like Knucklehead, and equally powerful when listened to in audio format—also read by the author.

Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man’s Education by Mychal Denzel Smith
Genre: Memoir / Cultural Criticism
A blend of memoir and social commentary, Smith reflects on what it means to grow up Black and male in America, interrogating masculinity, politics, and media. This title is ideal for older teens or adults looking for a thoughtful, intersectional exploration of identity.

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan

It’s 1847, and hunger and disease are sweeping across Ireland. Amid tragedy and hardship, a fragile spark begins to grow between Nell, a bright young scullery maid, and Johnny, the landlord’s heir. As unrest builds in her village and her starving family’s needs grow more desperate, Nell must navigate new love and tough choices. Where the Heart Should Be is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, immersing readers into the devastating reality of The Great Famine. Nell’s tender, seemingly impossible romance, sheds light on the political tensions and social injustices of the time, illuminating a defining moment in Irish history.

Wasson’s narration is clear, warm, and emotive – it hums. Her delivery is unhurried and authentic, reflecting a deep emotional connection to Nell and her family’s story. While generally quite heavy, listeners will find Wasson’s steady and engaging rhythm add approachability and warmth to the story.

Written in verse, this novel is well-suited to the audio format which enhances the sense of yearning and suspense that builds throughout. It is beautifully written, but clear and not overly poetic, making it appealing to a wide audience.

This is a perfect read for those interested in learning more about Irish history or for those who are looking for an approachable, well-paced historical audiobook. Readers who enjoyed Ode to a Nobody by Caroline Brooks DuBois or Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo will appreciate this story’s similar exploration of loss and resilience.

– Tina Chesterman

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: The House No One Sees by Adina King

In a mix of prose (present day) and verse (past), Penny is forced to reckon with her past when a night out at the fair with her friends is interrupted by a text from her mother asking for help. Penny is compelled to go to the house no one sees – the house she grew up in with her opioid-addicted mother. When she enters the now-abandoned house, she is taken aback by the flood of memories, good and bad.

This gut-punch of a novel will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Teens who have grown up with an adult that struggles with addiction will find many points of resonance in Penny’s story. The myriad ways in which addiction has shaped Penny’s life are presented in razor-sharp verse, a format that suits the tumbling thoughts running through Penny’s head as she enters the house of her youth. The narrative is unconventional and while not focused on plot per se, Penny’s reckoning with her past and her feelings about her mother ring true. A stable life in Penny’s present reassures readers that there’s hope on the other side.

Fans of grittier realistic fiction and novels in verse will find much to appreciate here. The unusual structure and writing style will appeal to fans of A.S. King’s work. Fans of challenging, yet honest verse novels like those of Olivia Cole will also be drawn in. For those seeking another title about a parent struggling with addiction, Hey Kiddo by Jarret Krosckza, would be a solid recommendation in spite of the difference in format.

– Courtney Waters

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2026) Featured Review: When We Ride by Rex Ogle

  • When We Ride
  • by Rex Ogle
  • Narrated by Ramón de Ocampo
  • Recorded Books, Inc / RBMedia
  • Publication Date: March 25, 2025
  • ISBN: 9798896790570

Diego Benevides is focused on school, college, and building a better life beyond his struggling neighborhood. His hardworking mother believes in him and even gives him her car to help him stay on track. But when Diego starts giving rides to his best friend, who is dealing drugs, things begin to spiral. As the risks grow and the lines between right and wrong blur, Diego must face the consequences of choices he never meant to make. This is a tense and powerful story about friendship, survival, and the cost of ambition.

Narrator Ramón de Ocampo delivers a standout performance that brings Diego’s story vividly to life. His voice captures the quiet intensity of Diego’s inner conflict and the mounting pressure he faces. Subtle shifts in tone and pacing reflect the emotional weight of each moment. De Ocampo’s nuanced delivery adds depth and urgency to an already powerful coming-of-age story.

Fans of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez or Jason Reynold’s Long Way Down will connect with Diego’s emotional depth and the tense, high-stakes choices he faces. The gritty realism and moral complexity also echo the tone of the TV series Euphoria, where friendship, survival, and difficult decisions shape the characters’ lives. Like those stories, this audiobook balances vulnerability and intensity, capturing the pressure of coming of age when every choice matters.

-Lorrie Roussin

Coming Soon: The Hub’s Interview with Rex Ogle!

Loved this review of Recommended Reading? We have even more exciting news!

Justin Hofstetter, of the Hub Advisory Board, recently had the incredible opportunity to sit down (virtually!) with the talented author, Rex Ogle, for a personal conversation. Get ready for an exclusive look into his writing process, inspiration, and perhaps even some behind-the-scenes insights and news!

Stay tuned! Our full interview with Rex Ogle is coming to the blog very soon. You won’t want to miss it! In the meantime be sure to check out the interviews we have conducted so far below and be sure to like and subscribe?

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2026) Featured Review: This is the Year by Gloria Munoz

  • This is the Year
  • by Gloria Munoz
  • Publisher: Holiday House
  • Release date: January 7th, 2025
  • ISBN: 9780823458363

In a not-so-distant future, Juli loses her twin sister to a hit-and-run accident caused by a self-driving car in south Florida. Now, starting her senior year of high school she is trying to figure out how to exist without her sister. In addition, a new privately funded space program, Cometa, is seeking applicants of “new Americans” to be on the first-ever team to colonize the moon.

While the elite competition to find the best-of-the-best has been done before, this cli-fi book discusses realistic alterations of the setting like the dissolving (extinction) of animals, unpredictable weather patterns, and significant class differences. This idea of only seeking applicants who are “new Americans” for this voyage presents two ideas; one of being disposable people in a high-risk journey and two, creating a unique purpose for those individuals who are naturalized citizens.

The writing is interspersed with Spanish that is not defined within the text, but can be inferred by the reader, in most cases. Readers who are interested in science fiction and dystopian novels will enjoy this potential future outlook of earth. Readers who enjoyed Dare Mighty Things by Heather Kaczynski and Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston should pick this up next.

–  Jessica Lorentz Smith

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: tinyurl.com/bfya2026