Samantha 0:05
In this episode of Creating Joyful Readers, we’re diving into the world of verse novels, a format that’s as beautiful as it is powerful. If you’ve ever wondered how poetry and storytelling merge into an unforgettable reading experience, this episode is for you. Verse novels can captivate even the most reluctant readers with their lyrical style and emotional punch, making them an incredible addition to your secondary ELA classroom. From fostering empathy to improving fluency and comprehension, I’ll walk you through the benefits of teaching verse novels, activity ideas to try in your classroom, and I’ll share some standout titles your students won’t want to put down. Whether you’re new to the genre or already a fan, you’ll leave with practical tips and recommendations to bring first novels to life in your classroom.

Samantha 0:52
Welcome to CCreating Joyful Readers, a podcast dedicated to empowering secondary educators with the tools, strategies and inspiration to cultivate a lifelong love of reading in their students. I’m your host, Samantha. Tune in each week as we explore the transformative power of independent reading, delve into the latest research on literacy, dissect projects that will help your students showcase what they’ve learned in a unique way, and share curated recommendations of young adult novels that will captivate and engage your learners. Join in as we embark on a journey to create joyful, lifelong readers one book at a time.

Samantha 1:29
Today, I want to take a closer look at three key benefits of incorporating verse novels into your ELA curriculum. Whether you’re building an independent reading program, exploring a specific theme, or looking to engage reluctant readers, verse novels bring something uniquely valuable to the table. Benefit one: accessibility and reader engagement. One of the most compelling reasons to use verse novels is their accessibility. The concise structure of verse novels can make them feel less intimidating for struggling readers. The short, powerful passages keep readers turning the pages, giving them a sense of accomplishment. But it’s not just about the shorter length. The visual rhythm and line breaks help readers focus, making complex emotions and themes more digestible. Plus the white space on the page offers a reprieve for students who may feel overwhelmed by large blocks of text. Benefit number two: emotional resonance. Verse novels are masters of emotional storytelling. The poetic structure allows authors to convey deep emotions with few words, drawing readers into the character’s internal world in ways that feel personal and profound. This emotional depth makes them an excellent choice for building empathy in your students. Verse novels also create opportunities for meaningful classroom discussion about identity, trauma, resilience, belonging, and more. Especially in books like Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds or Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. Benefit three: poetry in disguise. Verse novels offer a natural way to integrate poetry into your curriculum without the intimidation factor. Many students associate poetry with confusing metaphors and rhyme schemes they’re forced to decode but verse novels reframe poetry as something relatable and modern. They’re an organic way to teach poetic devices like imagery, metapho,r and line breaks in the context of a narrative. When students read verse novels, they experience poetry’s beauty and power without feeling like they’re stepping into something unfamiliar.

Samantha 3:22
Now I want to talk to you about some of my favorite activities for verse novels. Activity one: rewrite the verse to prose. A great way to help students better understand the poetic structure of a verse novel is to help them rewrite a section in traditional prose form. The task challenges students to focus on narrative flow, description, and character development, helping them see how word choice and structure impact storytelling. This is an incredibly powerful form of close reading. Activity two: find a non fiction text connection. Encourage students to consider the themes of their novel and make real world connections. Have them find a non fiction article, blog post, TED talk, or any relevant media that relates to a major theme in the text. They can explain why they chose their resource and how it deepens their understanding of the novel’s messages. Websites like CommonLit are fantastic for exploring text by theme, and can make this process even easier. Activity three: create a blog entry. Invite your students to write a blog entry based on the text. They can take on the voice of a character and write as if they’re blogging about their experiences, or they can create a post that focuses on a major issue from the novel. This is a great opportunity for students to flex their creative muscles and experiment with perspective. If your students are new to blog writing, you can provide them with a quick guide to help them get started. Activity four: write a spoken word response. For a more performance based activity, have your students choose an issue, character, or event from their verse novel and create a spoken word response. They can record their performance using platforms like Vocaroo or We video. This activity allows students to engage with the themes and emotions of the novel in a deeply personal way, helping them practice both written and oral communication skills. Activity number five: create a soundtrack. Finally, let your students build a soundtrack for their novel. Ask them to choose three songs that capture the mood of a scene, the essence of a character, or the overarching theme of the story. They’ll explain why they chose each song and how the lyrics connect to the novel. Encourage them to include key lines of lyrics and links to their song choices when possible.

Samantha 5:30
If you’re loving these ideas but don’t have time to plan all the details, I’ve got you covered. I have a ready to go resource in my Teachers Pay Teacher shop, Samantha In Secondary. Just head to my shop and search novels and verse to find all these activities and more already laid out for you in one handy resource. Your students will love diving into their verse novels with these creative, thought provoking tasks. Make sure you let me know if you give any of these a try. I’d love to hear how they work in your classroom.

Samantha 5:57
Now, I want to tell you about some of my favorite YA verse novels. First, I’m going to give you a few mainstays of the genre, and then I’m going to give you a couple of newer titles as well. I’m starting at the very top of the list with Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Long Way Down is a powerful verse novel that takes place over 60 gripping seconds as 15 year old Will rides an elevator with a gun determined to avenge his brother’s death. Along the way, he is visited by ghosts of people connected to his life and the cycle of violence he’s about to perpetuate. Each encounter challenges Will’s belief about revenge, grief, and the unspoken rules of his world. This book is a must have for classrooms, as it offers a unique format that engages readers, explores complex social issues like gun violence and family loyalty, and sparks meaningful discussions about choices and consequences. Its raw emotional storytelling resonates deeply with students, making it a valuable tool for fostering empathy and critical thinking. Number two is one of my personal favorites, Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. Elizabeth Acevedo writes a beautifully written novel in verse that tells the story of two sisters, Camino and Yahaira, who discover each other’s existence after their father dies in a tragic plane crash. The book explores themes of grief, identity, family secrets, and cultural heritage as the sisters navigate their shared loss and attempt to reconcile their different lives in the Dominican Republic and New York City. Teachers should use this novel in the classroom for its lyrical and accessible format, its exploration of diverse cultural experiences and its ability to foster conversations about complex emotions, relationships, and the impact of tragedy. The book’s dual perspectives encourage empathy and critical thinking, making it a really rich resource for students. I also have to say that The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, is equally good, and either of them would be a great choice for your classroom. Third is Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam. It’s a powerful novel in verse that tells the story of Amal Shaheed, a talented black Muslim teen wrongfully convicted of a crime. Through Amal’s poignant voice the book explores systemic racism, the school to prison pipeline, and the transformative power of art and hope in the face of injustice. Co authored by Yusef Salaam, a member of the exonerated five, this story carries an authentic and deeply impactful perspective. Teachers should use this book in the classroom to foster critical discussions about social justice, inequality, and resilience, while engaging students with its emotionally resonant narrative in accessible verse format. It’s an essential tool for helping students build empathy and understanding of systemic issues in society. Next is sunrise nights by Jeff Zentner and Brittany Cavallaro. This is a heartfelt young adult novel following Jude, a photographer navigating anxiety in his parents divorce, and Florence, a dancer coping with the end of her career due to vision loss. Meeting each summer at an arts camp their evolving connection explores themes of love, loss and self discovery through a unique mix of verse and dialogue. Teachers should use this novel in the classroom for its engaging narrative style and its ability to spark meaningful discussions about mental health, disability, and the transformative power of art, fostering empathy and critical thinking in students. Last, but certainly not least, this one is shelved as an adult novel, but as far as content goes, it is just as clean as all of the other novels. Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes is a gripping memoir and verse that chronicles the author’s journey through a challenging childhood marked by trauma, foster care, and family struggles, while highlighting the resilience and creativity that shaped her into an acclaimed poet and writer. Grimes’ honest and powerful storytelling sheds light on themes of perseverance, mental health, and the healing power of words. Teachers should use this book in the classroom to provide students with an authentic voice that inspires hope and encourages empathy. Its verse format and raw emotional depth make it accessible and impactful, fostering critical conversations about overcoming adversity and finding strength and self expression. This one is a new favorite of mine, and one that I’ve been recommending widely.

Samantha 10:05
In this episode of Creating joyful readers, I explored the world of first novels and why they’re such a transformative addition to the ELA classroom. Verse novels combine the emotional depth of poetry with compelling narratives that resonate with students. I discuss the benefits of teaching verse novels, including their accessibility, their ability to foster empathy, and their seamless incorporation of poetic devices. I also share creative activity ideas, from rewriting verses and prose, to creating soundtracks to help students connect more deeply with these texts.

Samantha 10:35
If this episode inspired you to bring verse novels into your classroom, head to my teachers pay teacher shop Samantha in Secondary and search for my novels and verse resource. It’s packed with ready to go activities, including the ones I mentioned today to help you make the most of these powerful texts. And don’t forget to share your experiences. Let me know which verse novels you try, or how these activities work for you by tagging me on Instagram at Samantha in Secondary or sending me a message. I’d love to hear from you. Until next time happy reading.

Samantha 11:05
Thanks for tuning in to creating joyful readers. I hope you found inspiration and practical strategies to ignite a passion for reading in your students. Remember every book we introduce and every reading experience we foster can transform lives and help students become lifelong readers. Follow me on social media at Samantha in Secondary for more tips book recommendations and to connect with a community of educators dedicated to making reading a joyful journey. Until next time, happy reading.