Novels in Verse for Teens - April 2026
Novels in verse offer the best of both worlds: a solid plot with characters that pull you in, and a lot of white space on the page, so the story is all meat and no filler. Here are some great new titles from the last year or so. MS = middle school (Created March 2026)
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Songs for the Offseason
Dustin’s dreams of playing baseball in Japan during summer break are dashed by the sudden death of his athletic cousin. When a distant relative’s new stepdaughter attends the funeral, Dustin learns to like her and her playlists as he finds new ways of looking at the world.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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The Story of My Anger
Yulieta wants desperately to lead her school’s drama production, but fears that her activism may hurt her mother’s health condition and strain her family. When school censorship threatens to take away some of her favorite books, she sees she must act, no matter the cost. MS
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Top Heavy
Esme, a talented dancer, faces the jealousy of two older dancers whose spot she took, her father’s ill health and need for surgery, and a stranger’s unwanted touch.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Truth Is
Slam poet Truth faces mean teachers, high expectations from her mother, and an unexpected pregnancy. When she decides to have an abortion, a video of her secrets goes viral, with unanticipated consequences.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Under the Neon Lights
Jaelyn loves her local skating rink, the place where she first falls in love, even as news spreads that it is going to be torn down in a wave of gentrification. MS
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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When We Ride
Benny needs to borrow his mom’s car to get to his low-paying job, and his best friend Lawson needs rides to get to his customers, people buying drugs. How long can Benny keep giving Lawson rides before their friendship falls apart?
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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