Middle-Grade novels in verse have been around for a while. Not sure what that is? Novels in verse are novels written in stanzas, pretty much like poetry. Still, they weave in dialogue, characters, and all the elements of a novel. I’m not a massive fan of novels in verse (generally) because they tend to lack the level of detail I enjoy in novels, but there are several that I’ve read and LOVED.
Anyone can enjoy middle-grade novels in verse but I definitely think poetry lovers would gravitate more to this narrative form. They also work well for ESL students as the vocabulary tends to be simpler and more accessible. For this list, I’m sharing my FAVORITE verse novels for the middle school (and upper elementary) crowd, many of which tackle tough issues like immigration, mental health, and grief. You’ll also find an engaging mix of historical and contemporary options.
Join our Patreon community to get the printable version of this list! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides and educator interviews, to inspire you.
30 Moving Middle-Grade Novels in Verse
Here are 30 best middle grade novels in verse:
Alone
Published: January 12, 2021
This survival verse novel follows 12-year-old Maddie, who gets abandoned by some twist of fate when her entire town is mysteriously evacuated. Left alone with no human in sight, she bonds with a Rottweiler named George, who is one of many abandoned pets. Soon after, they lose power and then water, and Maddie has to fend for herself using a variety of ingenious means and the town resources at her disposal, including an empty library, grocery store, and neighbors’ homes. Kids in grades 6+ won’t be able to get enough of this verse novel with a tenacious protagonist and engaging plot.
Isabel in Bloom
Published: April 9, 2024
After years of living in the Philippines while her mom works abroad, it’s finally time for Isabel to reunite with her mother in California. But when she arrives, there’s so much to adjust to, from snooty classmates to big malls, the absence of green space in their small apartment, and the different food. Armed with her grandfather’s advice to look for the familiar, things slowly get easier as she joins a cooking club in school and starts working on growing the school garden. I enjoyed this one and loved the underrepresented theme of an immigrant parent reuniting with a child and the insight into balikbayan boxes. It also includes a depiction of Filipino culture and musings about elderly Asian attacks as one older man in the community is attacked. Good for readers in grades 6+
Other Words for Home
Published: May 28, 2019
Young Jude is uprooted from her life in Syria in the midst of the civil unrest. She and her mother (who is pregnant) moved temporarily to Cincinnati to live with her uncle and his family. Jude is sad to leave behind her country, best friend Fatima, father, and brother who’s involved in various protests in Syria. In America, Jude — who used to be the best English student in Syria — has to join an ESL class and deal with questions about her hijab. Still, Jude finds good things in America and learns how brave she can be. I would recommend Other Words for Home to anyone looking for stories set in Syria, fans of Hena Khan’s Amina’s Voice, and readers in search of a story with a brave female protagonist.
Louder Than Hunger
Published: March 19, 2024
In John Schu’s debut middle-grade verse novel, he pulls back the curtain to let readers into a fictionalized depiction of his struggle with an eating disorder and life in a facility fighting against the condition. This book is truly a gut punch and flies by so quickly for such a thick novel with a tough subject matter — a testament to Schu’s great writing. Perfect for readers in grades 6+ looking for more body image books and fans of Lerner’s A Work in Progress.
Closer to Nowhere
Published: October 6, 2020
This was my first Ellen Hopkins book, and I get the hype now. It grabbed me from page one with unmistakable character voices. Readers will follow Cal and Hannah, two cousins suddenly living under the same roof after a family tragedy. While Cal twists the truth and likes pranks, Hannah is serious and “honest as the day is long.” This is a heartwrenching and heartwarming book about family, grief, substance abuse, and empathy. Great for grades 6+ and especially grades 7 & 8.
Force of Nature
Published: March 5, 2024
This verse novel is inspired by the life of Rachel Carson and presents a well detailed account of her childhood, passion for nature, and love for her mother. It also features art by Sophie Blackall. Although I love verse novels, I didn’t know much about Carson’s life and wasn’t as invested in this one. However, the writing is nostalgic and poetic and the illustrations complement the text nicely. Fans of Rachel Carson and poetry will love this. Grades 5+
Before the Ever After
Published: September 1, 2020
ZJ’s dad is a popular pro American footballer. He has a awesome crew of male friends who feel like family. Life seems pretty good until his dad comes home early from a game with an awful headache. The headache is joined by disturbing symptoms like forgetfulness, aggression, spacing out, and general confusion. The book is set in 1999-2000, when there was just a growing awareness of CTE. ZJ’s mom is worried because she knows a few other football friends of his dad who have had the same symptoms. As ZJ tries to get through each day, not knowing whether it’ll be a good day for his dad or a bad one, he finds comfort in family, comfort, and community. This is a brilliant, true-to-life portrayal of a child coping with his famous father’s deterioration due to CTE. Grades 6+
Deep Water
Published: April 9, 2024
Tully Birch’s mom left them weeks ago and Tully is convinced that if she does a marathon swim, something her mom was supposed to help her train for, her mom would see she is worth returning for. Her friend Arch is her only supporter, and although the swim starts out well, the weather, poor training, the weight of sad memories, and fatigue catch up with Tully just around the halfway mark. This book is gorgeously written and accessible for tween readers. I loved the shape poems, the survival edge throughout the story, and Tully and Arch’s friendship. I also enjoyed the way Sumner gradually shows readers a clearer vision of Tully’s mom besides the initial rosy depiction we see. This is a very short book that will appeal to fans of Alone and verse novel lovers in general. Grades 5+
Forget Me Not
Published: March 14, 2017
Read this book about a girl with Tourette’s in one sitting! Calliope June’s mother moves around so often and yet always wants her to hide the fact that she has Tourette’s. Of course, hiding TS is nearly impossible because Calliope sometimes unintentionally makes noises or faces (tics). Things get interesting when she meets and likes a boy who turns out to be a popular student in her school. At first, he seems to like her, but when people at school make fun of Callie, he’s embarrassed to be seen with her. This novel in verse, is so beautifully written. I felt Calliope’s pain in every word. Such an unexpectedly moving book. Highly recommend! Grades 6+
Ultraviolet
Published: April 2, 2024
Elio is in love for the first time, and his dreams come true when Camelia, his crush, becomes his first girlfriend. His first relationship and an association of males teach him plenty about consent, patriarchy, toxic masculinity, and respect for women. Plenty happens in this book, written in lyrical, accessible verse that feels akin to Judy Blume but for boys, as Salazar writes candidly about Elio’s morning erection, nocturnal emissions, and the way he feels down there when he’s around Camelia. Still, the text remains appropriate for tweens and young teens looking for more information than they might be getting from their parents about vital sex ed. Good for grades 7+
Starfish
Published: March 9, 2021
Starfish features Ellie, a fat girl who has been bullied for her weight since she wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash in the pool. Even her older brother and sister make fun of her weight. Her mom controls her diet, monitoring her portions and choosing lackluster “healthy” alternatives. Ellie is feeling more disheartened because her friend Viv who is also plus-sized is moving away. Thankfully, after Viv moves, Ellie finds a friend in her new neighbor Catalina and her family. The family loves food and welcome Ellie with open arms, never judging her for her weight. This is a powerful, fat-positive middle grade verse novel about a girl who is learning that she deserves to take up space. Grades 5+
Iveliz Explains It All
Published: September 13, 2022
In this Newbery Honor book, we meet Iveliz, a new 7th grader who’s recovering from a rough year and determined to bounce back. Unfortunately, more life changes, unprocessed grief, and mental health challenges threaten to keep her stuck. My heart ached for Iveliz throughout this story, and I think it will especially speak to tweens struggling with their mental health. I also loved the notebook-style font design and illustrations throughout the book. Good for grades 6+
Everywhere Blue
Published: June 1, 2021
When Madrigal’s (Maddie) older brother, Strum, goes missing from his college campus, her musical family loses its harmony. Her French mother is distraught — broken for the first time as Maddie has never seen her. Her piano-playing father doesn’t even touch his instrument, and her fiery sister retreats into a rebellious funk, drinking and partying, even though she’s only 16. Maddie tries to keep everything together: focus on her oboe lessons and compulsive counting that calms her mind. Eventually, though, with all leads looking dead-ended, Maddie just might have what it takes to find Strum. But can she find her way to him? Everywhere Blue is a poignant, moving middle grade verse novel about family, mental health, music, and caring for the environment. Grades 6+
Rez Dogs
Published: June 8, 2021
Malian is stuck visiting her grandparents when the COVID pandemic starts. When a stray rez dog shows up at their door, Malian is eager to welcome him in. This is a warm, gentle, and short verse novel (with very little plot) about the ways indigenous communities look out for each other (and how they did in times past). Grades 5+
The Magical Imperfect
Published: June 15, 2021
Etan develops selective mutism after his mom has to go to a treatment facility for a mental disorder in 1980’s San Francisco. Around that time, mini-earthquakes are frequent and Etan tries to keep up his daily schedule, which is basically school and then time with his grandfather. Sometimes, he helps an older shopkeeper in the neighborhood walk her dog and run errands. It is while he is on one of those errands that he meets Malia, a Filipina-American girl with severe eczema. Etan and Malia become fast friends and he gets a closer look at how debilitating her eczema is. He wants to take Malia’s suffering away, and he thinks his grandfather’s Dead Sea clay can make a difference — perhaps even heal Malia’s eczema. But will the clay work? This is an incredibly moving verse novel about friendship, family, body image, and community. Grades 6+
Wave
Published: March 29, 2022
Thirteen-year-old Ava lives in 80s California and loves to catch a wave with her best friend, Phoenix, a cancer survivor, whom she’s beginning to crush on. Her mom is a single mother and her dad lives in Iran with his new family and rarely contacts them. Ava likes to write poetry and sing (she’s getting to sing in the school choir soon) but her mom who’s a doctor wants Ava to consider that career path. Amidst all the drama, Phoenix’s lymphoma returns aggressively and he doesn’t want to pursue treatment anymore. Can Ava convince him to keep trying? This is a lyrical, captivating, and heartwrenching middle grade verse novel about first crushes, surfing, and grief. Grades 7+
Red, White, and Whole
Published: February 2, 2021
The year is 1983, and 13-year-old Reha is caught between two cultures: her Indian family and community at home and the all-American experience at school and with her white “school best friend.” But it’s not all rosy. Her mother doesn’t approve of Reha acting more American than Indian. Then her mom is diagnosed with leukemia, and Reha’s life is turned upside down. Between school, family issues, and navigating her affection for a boy in her neighborhood, Reha has her plate full. Red, White, and Whole is a heartwarming and heartbreaking verse novel about mothers and daughters, the eighties, and straddling two cultures. Grades 6+
The Lost Language
Published: October 19, 2021
The Lost Language centers around 6th grade Betsy and her best friend, Lizard (both girls are actually named Elizabeth!) who decide to save a disappearing language Guernsiais (spoken on the small Isle of Guernsey, off the coast of France). Betsy’s mom is a passionate linguist who — unbeknownst to Betsy — is also dealing with depression and anxiety. Lizard has always been a bit of a bossy, possessive friend, thanks to her assertive character. As the two girls work on the project together, cracks in their friendship begin to show and a near-tragedy in Betsy’s family threatens to tear them apart. This is a thoughtful, engaging look into a changing friendship as one friend grows into herself. Grades 5+
The Crossover
Published: March 18, 2014
Thanks to their dad, Josh and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood—he’s got mad beats, too, which help him find his rhythm when it’s all on the line. As their winning season unfolds, things begin to change. When Jordan meets a girl, the twins’ bond unravels. This is an utterly moving novel in verse. Grades 6+
Golden Girl
Published: February 22, 2022
Afiyah has a problem with stealing things even when she tries really hard not to. Fortunately, she’s often remorseful and returns the stolen items. She’s shaken when her father is wrongfully arrested for embezzlement at the airport during a family trip. The situation puts a strain on her family and moves Afiyah to strongly examine her tendency to steal — especially after she gets caught in the act. This is a touching, realistic coming-of-age story about trying to break bad habits and dealing with a family crisis. Grades 6+
The One and Only Ivan
Published: January 17, 2012
Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. Grades 3+
The Night Diary
Published: March 6, 2018
This is a heartbreaking middle grade book about a girl’s experience during the partition of India. Nisha is caught between her Hindu-Indian and Muslim-Indian sides. She’s also dealing with the loss of her mother. So when her country starts to split in two, her search for identity becomes even more meaningful. There’s a reason why this one is a Newbery Honor book. If your kids loved this book, here’s a list of more books like The Night Diary. Grades 6+
Moo
Published: August 30, 2016
When Reena, her little brother, Luke, and their parents first move to Maine, Reena doesn’t know what to expect. She’s ready for beaches, blueberries, and all the lobster she can eat. Instead, her parents “volunteer” Reena and Luke to work for an eccentric neighbor named Mrs. Falala, who has a pig named Paulie, a cat named China, a snake named Edna—and that stubborn cow, Zora. This heartwarming story, told in a blend of poetry and prose, reveals the bonds that emerge when we let others into our lives. Grades 5+
Garvey’s Choice
Published: October 4, 2016
This verse novel follows the evolution of a boy named Garvey, who loves astronomy, music, and books — everything but the sports that his dad would prefer he enjoys. Despite all the bullying he faces, once he joins the school chorus, he starts to grow past his father’s expectations, finding a way to connect with his father on his terms. Grades 5+
Reckless Glorious Girl
Published: February 23, 2021
Beatrice lives with her Mawmaw (her grandmother) and her mom in Bardstown, Kentucky. Her father died in an accident months before she was born. The book is set the summer before seventh grade and Beatrice is trying to figure out who she wants to be. Although she has two great girlfriends, she’s curious about what life would be like with the popular girls. Reckless, Glorious, Girl is a quintessential coming-of-age story about a girl whose community of women helps her find herself.
The One Thing You’d Save
Published: March 16, 2021
Linda Sue Park’s The One Thing You’d Save is a unique hybrid of sorts. It’s geared toward middle schoolers, but has lovely black and white illustrations on nearly every page. It is also less than 80 pages long, with sparse text in the Korean sijo poetry style. By the end of the class, even the teacher rethinks her choices, just as every reader will. This book might not satisfy you, if like me you enjoy plot, but it will make you think about the one thing, or things that matter most to you. Teachers and middle schoolers alike will find this book to be an excellent conversation starter, and the illustrations will entice reluctant and younger readers.
Emmy in the Key of Code
Published: September 24, 2019
In a new city, at a new school, twelve-year-old Emmy has never felt more out of tune. Things start to look up when she takes her first coding class, unexpectedly connecting with the material—and Abigail, a new friend—through a shared language: music. But when Emmy gets bad news about their computer teacher, and finds out Abigail isn’t being entirely honest about their friendship, she feels like her new life is screeching to a halt. Despite these obstacles, Emmy is determined to prove one thing: that, for the first time ever, she isn’t a wrong note, but a musician in the world’s most beautiful symphony. Grades 6+
In the Beautiful Country
Published: June 28, 2022
Living in 80s Taiwan with her mother, Ai Shi (Anna) eagerly anticipates living in the beautiful country (the US) where their father moved a few months ago. As she gives away her favorite clothes and toys to cousins in preparation for the move, she can’t help but brag about the new life awaiting them. But she’s in for a shock when they arrive at their cramped apartment. Her father was conned into buying a failing fast-food restaurant, and Anna’s parents struggle to make ends meet. At school, she feels like an outsider since she can barely speak English. On top of that, her parents are dealing with some unkind customers who mistreat them because they’re Asians.This is a moving, poignant, and lyrical verse novel about immigration, identity, food and family. Grades 6+
Rain Rising
Published: September 27, 2022
13-year-old Rain is dealing with several issues. First, her best friend has been acting like a frenemy lately. Then, she’s just so sad all the time and can’t stop feeling negative about her body — thinking she’s ugly and too big. Her single source of solace is her family. When the thoughts become too tough to handle, her mother and brother Xander, especially, bring light to her day, even without knowing her challenges. But when Xander gets beaten up in a racially motivated attack during a potential college visit, Rain feels the walls closing in on her. Can she and her family find their way back to normalcy? Rain Rising is a powerful debut middle grade verse novel about mental health, body image, family, and healing. Grades 6+
When Winter Robeson Came
Published: January 11, 2022
When Winter Robeson came to visit his cousin, Eden in the summer of 1965, he had another agenda. Winter is a 13-year-old boy visiting Los Angeles from Mississippi. Unbeknownst to Eden and her family, Winter isn’t just there to see Disneyland — he’s looking for his father J.T. Robeson who came to LA 12 years ago and never returned. Eventually, he gets Eden to help him on his search. Not long after, the Watts Riot erupts. This a rich, immersive middle grade verse novel about family, LA in 1965, and the mystery of a missing parent. Grades 5+
Join our Patreon community to get the printable version of this list! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides and educator interviews, to inspire you.
There they are! I hope you find one out of these 30 middle-grade novels in verse that you like. Want more? Find a running list of middle-grade novels in verse on author Sarah Tregay’s website.
Carol says
I love MG novels in verse! Especially Inside Out and Back Again! Have you read Out of the Dust? (Mature MG) or Love That Dog (also by Creech)? I also enjoyed Finding Wonders (about the childhood of 3 women scientists) and Brown Girl Dreaming (memoir in verse).
Afoma Umesi says
Hi Carol! No, I haven’t read either of those. I’ll definitely look them up. Verse novels are definitely hit or miss for me, haha, but I’m always open to new, excellent ones.
Tammi J Truax says
Afoma, I’d like to send you my novel-in-verse.
Afoma Umesi says
Hi Tammi, kindly look over my review policy – afomaumesi.com/review-policy
Jessi Albrecht says
I adore verse novels! I also recommend Hidden by Helen Frost, Home of the Brave and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, All the Broken Pieces and Unbound by Ann Burg, and of course ANYTHING by Margarita Engle (although I know some of her others are meant for a more mature audience).
Afoma Umesi says
It’s crazy that I had IVAN on this list before and then took it out because I wasn’t sure it was in verse. I listened on audio and it sounded like verse but I just wasn’t sure anymore! Thanks for the recommendations — all lovely! I’ve never read Helen Frost, I must change that!
Heather N. Quinn says
Really super list! I found you as a result of trying to recall the title of a middle grade novel in verse which I read last year, but I didn’t see it. No matter! There were so many other great suggestions. I shared your link with an Instagrammer looking for middle grade novels in verse. I know she’ll be visiting soon too. Thanks! Signed up for your newsletter. Looking forward to it.
Sarah Allen says
This is such a fantastic list! Glad I found it right in time for National Poetry Month.
My third novel, THE NIGHTMARE HOUSE, is a spooky book told in partial verse. It might be a great fit for this list, especially around Halloween time!
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374390952/the-nightmare-house