Book Recommendations for Poetry Month!

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

A novel about finding your voice, and for the main character, Xiomara Batista, the way to do that is through poetry. She keeps a notebook under her bed, full of words that she can’t say – especially to her mother. But then Xiomara is invited to join the slam poetry club at school and has to decide if she’s going to stay silent or not.

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

It is the story of Michael, a black, gay teen, who discovers the Drag Society at university and finds himself on the stage, finally free to be precisely whom he was always meant to be. Atta explores and celebrates blackness and queerness, with the verse that feels like a light touch but also manages to get down deep into the meaning of those two things – and much more besides.

Three Things I Know Are True by Betty Culley

Fifteen-year-old Liv’s life is turned upside down after her older brother Jonah shoots himself with a gun he didn’t know was loaded. Jonah lives but needs round-the-clock care, and Liv feels as though she is the only one who can see her brother is still there. This is a book about small joys and making something of life unexpected.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

This novel is centered around gun violence in the USA. Long Way Down is Will’s story; his older brother Shawn is shot and killed, and the whole story takes place in the space of one elevator journey as Will is about to exact his revenge. The space on the page is used so brilliantly in this novel; the words jump around the page, some pages have hardly any words on them at all, and the visual impact of that makes the novel all the more compelling.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Two sisters — one in the Dominican Republic, the other in New York — discover that their father has led a double life keeping them in the dark about each other’s existence. When he dies in a plane crash, the secret unravels and both girls have to find a way to grieve even as they learn to love each other and forgive their Papi.

Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

Nima doesn’t feel at home in America. Even her immigrant mother does not seem to understand her. After all, she should be grateful to live in a country that isn’t a war zone. As Nima grapples with racism and Islamophobia, she begins to learn that maybe home isn’t a place, but your people.

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

This exceptional novel follows a wrongfully incarcerated Black teen and his fight to change the trajectory of his life. With gorgeous, lyrical writing and a powerful message, this one will leave you changed.

Brianna Liu is a Librarians of Tomorrow intern and a soon-to-be high school graduate.