Do You Love Poetry? Check These Books Out From HarperCollins Children's Books

HarperCollins Children's Book has three upcoming Young Adult books that are perfect for Poetry Month. These collections and novels-in-verse are for the young adult readers out there today. 

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

9780062662804. $17.99. Ages 13 & Up. On Sale March 6, 2018.

Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing #ownvoices novel-in-verse by award-winning slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth. Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

« “In nearly every poem, there is at least one universal truth about adolescence, family, gender, race, religion, or sexuality that will have readers either nodding in grateful acknowledgment or blinking away tears.” — The Horn Book Review STARRED review

Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners by Naomi Shihab Nye

9780062691842. $17.99. Ages 13 & Up. On Sale February 13, 2018.

Acclaimed and award-winning poet, teacher, and National Book Award finalist Naomi Shihab Nye’s uncommon and unforgettable voice offers readers peace, humor, inspiration, and solace. This volume of almost one hundred original poems is a stunning and engaging tribute to the diverse voices past and present that comfort us, compel us, lead us, and give us hope. Written in honor of the artists, writers, poets, historical figures, ordinary people, and diverse luminaries from past and present who have inspired Nye, Voices in the Air celebrates the inspirational people who strengthen and motivate us to create, to open our hearts, and to live rewarding and graceful lives. With short informational bios about the influential figures behind each poem, and a transcendent introduction by the poet, this is a collection to cherish, read again and again, and share with others. 

« “A rich collection of poems celebrating diverse lives. ...Asking tough questions and demonstrating the beauty of the voices on the fringe, Nye once again deftly charts the world through verse: not to be missed.” — Kirkus Reviews STARRED review

Light Filters In: Poems written by Caroline Kaufman & illustrated by Yelena Bryksenkova

9780062844682. $14.99. Ages 13 & Up. On Sale June 5, 2018.

In the vein of poetry collections like Milk and Honey and Adultolescence, this compilation of short, powerful poems from teen Instagram sensation Caroline Kaufman—known as @poeticpoison—perfectly captures the human experience. In Light Filters In, Kaufman does what she does best: reflects our own experiences back at us and makes us feel less alone, one exquisite and insightful piece at a time. She writes about giving up too much of yourself to someone else, not fitting in, endlessly Googling “how to be happy,” and ultimately figuring out who you are. This hardcover collection features completely new material plus some fan favorites from Caroline's account. Filled with haunting, spare pieces of original art, Light Filters In will thrill existing fans and newcomers alike.