A first purchase for all libraries serving young children, this is an outstanding poetry compilation about the meaning of home.
With an enticing mix of playful whimsy and quiet moments, this well-crafted collection of accessible verse and lovely illustrations should appeal to a wide audience.
Both a teaching tool for writing poetry as well as an ode to poetry itself. Highly recommended.
Poetry fans and educators alike will enjoy this bright and cheery collection of floral-focused haiku.
A compelling and thoughtful read, and a great introduction to blackout poetry. A strong first purchase for libraries.
A robust addition to general poetry collections, sure to appeal to a wide range of poetry lovers.
A STEAM-themed poetry collection that should have broad appeal for young readers and will be a welcome addition to the shelves. Recommended.
The dual thrust should interest fans of Peters’s many other books and may invite or challenge pet lovers, as well as readers and teachers of poetry or science.
This attractive and educational poetry book will be a great addition to poetry and nature study collections.
This edition is an excellent choice for senior high school and undergraduate curriculum that includes educator-assisted lessons on Modernist poetry, but the assertion that it is somehow more comprehensible to all readers is overstated and unconvincing.
The quirky illustrations cannot save this clumsily written collection. Stick with Silverstein.
Visually stunning artwork combined with character sketches reveal the depth of Native American history in an intriguing way. A good first purchase for libraries.
Secondary schools where there is interest in STEM projects, poetry studies, and women’s issues will benefit by adding this multifaceted title to their library or classroom collection.
This short and refreshing collection of the love of family is a worthy purchase for poetry and family-focused collections, due to the diversity of grandfathers and experiences depicted.
A must-purchase for all YA nonfiction collections, Ogle’s work speaks directly to what so many young people experience and offers them hope.
A worthy purchase for poetry and family-focused collections because of the fun way family love and diversity are depicted with grandmas at the heart.
Admirable introductions to poetry in general and to these poets in particular.
This unusual and striking double portrayal will appeal to nascent nature-lovers and embryo entrepreneurs.
Admirable introductions to poetry in general and to these poets in particular.
A delightful book that amuses and educates. Strong first purchase recommendation.
A delightful introduction to poetry; a valuable potential bonding experience for young children and their caregivers.
School librarians looking for STEAM titles that pair silliness with educational topics in the style of Douglas Florian will love this fun, math-themed poetry collection that joins English language arts and mathematics as a dynamic duo.
A supplementary purchase to invigorate the A in STEAM.
And We Rise, Martin's evocative book-in-verse addressing the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, began as a series of poems about the Jim Crow era.
With humor, sadness, and a bit of irony, this book invites fun and thoughtful uses for readers, classes, and library programs.
Limited appeal. An additional purchase for larger libraries.
This insipid and uneven collection falls short as an introduction to poetry for primary grade audiences.
A mixed bag of poetry with very few gems worth keeping. Not recommended.
The NCTE Excellence in Children’s Poetry Award Committee has recognized 21 exceptional books of poetry and nine novels in verse in their annual list. Read and evaluated by each member of the committee, these books published in 2021 are notable for their use of language, poetic devices, and their application to children ages three to 13.
A powerful proclamation of resistance and resilience over cultural oppression. Purchase for YA poetry collections, especially where spoken word is in demand.
A charming collection of poetry for budding gardeners. Recommended.
A pleasant book for animal and poetry fans of varied ages.
While the poetry and illustrations are artistically appealing, the content and structure may require scaffolding and further explanation. Still, this book could be appreciated by the right audience for one-on-one sharing.
This unique collection will serve as an appealing introduction to poetry for children: reflecting their daily experience to them, bolstering their appreciation of the written word, and perhaps inspiring them to construct poems of their own.
A great introduction for reluctant readers who want to learn more about poetry. The interactive elements will work in classrooms and bring an amusing spice to story times.
A strong first purchase. This book will have very broad appeal to a variety of ages.
A must purchase for all libraries.
This fun, lyrical free verse poem pays homage to the joy a pair of new shoes can bring, and its colorful illustrations work well to enhance the joy of the experience. A recommended purchase for most collections, especially where poetry is popular or supports the curriculum.
An optional purchase for large poetry collections or schools and libraries with strong poetry or spoken word programs.
Middle grade and YA authors including Joy McCullough, Reem Faruqi, and others discuss the power of verse to address emotional topics and craft innovative narratives.
Here are 21 recent YA and middle grade titles that favor poetry over prose, perfect for sharing during National Poetry Month.
These touching poems are important today and any day that requires people to think about war, family, and refugees.
A worthy purchase for elementary libraries needing nonfiction texts for the Juneteenth holiday.
This creative, beautiful, and educational book will find a home on library shelves. Purchase to bring more STEM to poetry collections.
This beautifully illustrated rhyming text will make a good read-aloud and can be used to spark conversations about sounds in the world.
The impact of the poems in this powerful, necessary book is strengthened by the layout of the text and drives home the struggle for civil rights. A strong first purchase.
An excellent first choice for public libraries; schools that select religious materials as part of their collection.
The mixed quality of the poems and the difficulty in determining the audience makes this a questionable purchase.
The author of Honey, I Love died last week, leaving a lasting impact on generations of readers and Black authors.
I Talk Like a River, A Sitting in St. James, and From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry won this year's Boston Globe-Horn Book awards for excellence in children's and YA literature.
Photographs and poems can help students explore perspective and specific moments in time.
Featuring poets from Amanda Gorman to Kenn Nesbitt and offering inspiring writing prompts, these shows have something for every student.
With gorgeous words with affecting narratives, these middle grade and YA #OwnVoices titles provide excellent listening for National Poetry Month and beyond.
Having two books released during the pandemic wasn't a disaster for the author, as Nye found the "positive contagion" of books and poetry was not only still there, it was connecting more young readers and writers from different places around the world.
Black History Month is in February, but celebrating the accomplishments and talents of Black people in America and across the diaspora shouldn’t be restricted to the shortest month of the year. These poetry books are written and/or illustrated by Black creatives. This small sampling is by no means an exhaustive list but could be used as a jumping-off point to spark further exploration.
Sophia Thakur, a performance poet and author of Somebody Give This Heart a Pen (Candlewick; Gr 9 Up), discusses the power of poetry, her artistic journey, and the five #OwnVoices works that have inspired her.
This year, members of the NCTE Excellence in Children's Poetry Award Committee are pleased to recognize 28 outstanding books of poetry and 11 novels in verse. These titles were deemed notable for their use of language and poetic devices and their appropriateness for children ages three to 13.
Award-winning author, scholar, and activist Zetta Elliott (Say Her Name) explains the importance of representation, not just diversity, in literature, as well as the incredible contributions of Black women writers.
A middle school librarian and makerspace teacher planned a unit focused on the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Perfect for both science and literacy classrooms, these recently published titles take a look at the natural world through verse, supported by detailed artwork and informative notes.
Accomplished poet and author Nikki Grimes dives headfirst into childhood memories for her memoir Ordinary Hazards. Having created a work that simultaneously shares trauma and moments of light, Grimes discusses the process of excavating her personal history.
Hopkins's impact on poetry for children went beyond his prolific creation of anthologies. He championed cross-curricular use of poetry and allowing children to read for enjoyment, while jump-starting the careers of many poets along the way.
This nice combination of poetry, prose, and illustrations make this a good read-aloud and book to share.
The Palestinian-American writer becomes the first Arab-American to earn the honor.
This title should inspire some classroom teachers to showcase joyous presentations in school auditoriums and on parent back-to-school nights. Sprightly, informative, and FUN!
The National Student Poets are a group of five high school juniors and seniors who act as literary ambassadors for a year. In honor of National Poetry Month, they recommend five books for their fellow high schoolers.
Twenty-eight titles to celebrate in April and throughout the year.
Sixty-four poems explore living between cultures, the pleasure and pain that memories can bring, and the power of poetry to express joy, loss, and pride.
A trio of recently published poetry titles evidence the power of poetry "to convey rich characterization, complex themes, and a reading experience that levels the field between struggling and skilled readers."
The author of Shout discusses family trauma, rape culture, and racism.
Nature, childhood, family, community, and dreamers are just some of the subjects honored in these titles to share all year long.
In anticipation of our coverage of Black History Month, add these selections about historical figures with big dreams, from board books to YA memoirs, to your collection and display year-round.
A stirring, if uneven, lyric tribute to Indigenous heroes past and present. Medium to large collections may want to consider.

A beautifully illustrated poem that will be cherished by children. A first purchase.
A wonderful addition to poetry and storybook shelves all year round.
This nicely illustrated and enjoyable poetry collection is recommended for most libraries, especially where aquatic life is popular.
An excellent resource for STEM-related activities, science curricula, or children who are simply curious about the world around them.
A gorgeously crafted, complex work. A strong choice for robust poetry collections.
Truly out of this world. A must-buy for most poetry collections.
Have students pick and choose their favorites and then get moving with this collection of sporty poems.
A quiet, somewhat melancholy addition to poetry collections.

Undoubtedly, Kaufman's readers—new and old—will be clamoring for more. A top addition to YA poetry collections.
Libraries seeking an inclusive sampling of contemporary poets will be better served elsewhere.–Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Elkins Park, PA
This equally informative and entertaining combination of poetry and anatomical science is a fine addition for libraries serving middle grade readers.
A solid purchase for elementary poetry collections.
Educators and libraries looking to provide grammar resources a bit lighter than the average textbook will find this a useful and enjoyable addition to their collection.
An enchanting imagining of love and friendship made successful by its splendid artwork; this is a winning choice for young poets.
Titles by such esteemed creators as Yuyi Morales, Raúl Colón, and others.
Check out these picture books that feature the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
In anticipation of the free August 15 event, here’s our interview with opening keynote speaker Elizabeth Acevedo.
An influential poet led workshops for these Newark, NJ teens, who competed in a national youth poetry slam competition in July.
Three new informational titles incorporating vivid visuals, imagination-stirring poetry, and personal perspective, emphasize the exhilaration of discovery.
Recommended for larger libraries in need of a sophisticated and thoughtful poetry collection.
An amazing collection to read aloud and share with a group—add this new favorite to poetry shelves.
A highly recommended purchase for Brown fans and those who relish poems that go bump in the night.
This picture book will draw readers in with poetry and then provide the spark that may encourage both creative writing and scientific investigation. Recommended for sharing.
Perfectly suited to libraries, a top addition to poetry collections.
Artful, wistful, and occasionally puzzling, this slim collection of haiku will appeal most to thoughtful young readers and language enthusiasts.
Publisher’s description How do you deal with a hole in your life? Do you turn to poets and pop songs? Do you dream? Do you try on love just to see how it fits? Do you grieve? If you’re Avery, you do all of these things. And you write it all down in an attempt […]
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