Summary

 

Genre Conclusions

The verse novel is a fiction written in verse lines either in a simple form or a complex one. (Aboudaif, 2010) It is a genre that has had its share of critics, because of the hybridity of poetry, narration and drama. Scholarly there is sentiment of the verse novel as a lesser offspring of poetry and prose (West, 2014). Although these scholarly sentiments have persisted, the contemporary verse genre is popular among young people, for its short rhymed fiction in verse novels, and the trait of their bright, shiny covers standing out, with intriguing titles and pages with lots of white space (Aboudaif, 2010). The increase of verse-novels can be contextualized within the discussion of forms and formats, acknowledging how various techniques such as word-pictures (Dresang, 2008) The verse novel is considered a great go to, and their appeal to reluctant readers for their use of vivid imagery (Raybuck, 2015). Although the verse novel has fewer words to the page, they hold richness of story and character, with a lyricism connected to the art form. Inferences are expected for deep comprehension when reading a book with less words yet rich in dialogue. 

The genre is rich in characters of diverse backgrounds. According to this librarian Lisa Krok who sat on the YALSA's Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers committee shares how  "teens in marginalized demographics across varying races and religion, identifying as LGBTQ+, sexual assault survivors, facing mental illness, disabilities, foster care and more deserve to see themselves reflected in books and how novels in verse support reluctant readers see themselves reflected in the richness of characters and experiences in YA verse novels." (Jensen, 2020) 

Authors 

The authors in Contemporary in verse novels are from different genders. Reviewing lists of different websites such as these, although there are more women authors. yet recently it is varied, and there are authors of varied racial and ethnic backgrounds.  The authors I chose were of very different backgrounds, and wrote characters that held similar traits.  Their communities were also central point in their story. My favorite authors in this genre are Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds and Jasmine Kaur who grappled with these issues and in the communities I live and work in, many of the young people are in similar predicaments and may very well see themselves reflected in these authors. 

Characters

The contemporary in verse YA novel is mostly narrated in the first person and by a young person (Aboudaif, 2010). The young people in these stories are of different races, or from a non dominant religion, grappling with mental health issues, or living in a country where they may be facing discrimination or community violence.  The characters are all coming to terms with an issue and finding who they are.  Many verse novels feature female protagonists (Raybuck, 2015). 

Theme
Common themes in Contemporary Verse Novels are heartbreak (including friendship breakups), grief, abuse, violence, sexual assault and coming of age, family dysfunction, identity, racism, and finding one's place in the world. In this list for Teachers, the verse novels highlighted included themes and stories of family, love, life, resistance, death, and  redemption. 

Aboudaif, Said. (2010). Anthony Burgess and Vikram Seth as Twentieth Century Verse Novelists: A Critical Survey. SSRN Electronic Journal. 10.2139/ssrn.3694103. 

Dresang, Eliza. (2008). Radical Change Revisited: Dynamic Digital Age Books for Youth. 

Novels in verse for teens by author Lisa Krok. Teen Librarian Toolbox. (2020, March 23). Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2020/03/novels-in-verse-for-teens-by-author-lisa-krok/.

Raybuck, D. (2015). Field notes: "This is too much!" why verse novels work for Reluctant Readers. The Horn Book. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.hbook.com/story/field-notes-this-is-too-much-why-verse-novels-work-for-reluctant-readers.