April is National Poetry Month, so it’s time to appreciate some of our favorite poets and poems. On our social media, we’ll be posting a poem a day, but today, we want to showcase some new, up-and-coming poetry books that are absolutely worth checking out this month!
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
by Fred Rogers
For the first time ever, the lyrics to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood are available to read and sing along to. The show aired from 1969 to 2001 starring the most beloved Mister Rogers who is fondly remembered by his wholehearted lessons and gentle form of communication with children.
The Sun and Her Flowers
by Rupi Kaur
Poet Rupi Kaur has skyrocketed since her debut book of poems The Sun and Her Flowers which was released in late 2017. Since then, the book has received nearly 80 thousand positive ratings and won the Goodreads Choice Winner of 2017. Kaur writes and illustrates each page, taking the reader on a journey of wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming.
Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc
by David Elliott
Perhaps one of the most interesting takes on medieval heroine Joan of Arc, author David Elliott writes about famous Joan’s trials and triumphs as “one of history’s most badass ladies” — in poem form! The poetry is said through the voices of all things in Joan’s life while also touching on topics such as gender, misogyny, and speaking the truth.
Proud
by Juno Dawson (Editor)
Proud is an anthology of stories and poetry by top-rated and brand-new LGBTQ+ YA writers on the theme of pride through funny and emotional storytelling about the LGBTQ+ community. In the introduction, Dawson reminds us how far we’ve come in basic human rights over the past few decades, but also how we have a long way to go.
How to Love a Country
by Richard Blanco
In this collection of poetry, presidential inaugural poet, memoirist, and public speaker Richard Blanco writes about immigration, gun violence, racism, LGBTQ issues, and other issues facing many people in the U.S. Blanco covers the Pulse nightclub massacre, rewinding to a lynching in Alabama. Calling out some of the most troublesome issues in the U.S., Blanco strives to move towards a nation where we can all truly thrive.
No More Poems!: A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse
by Rhett Miller
A simply hilarious book of poems fit for the entire family, singer-songwriter Rhett Miller writes poems that cover every family’s biggest dilemmas — everything from bullies to losing homework to annoying kid siblings, with some toilet humor thrown in, too. This book is fun and sly and is guaranteed to leave the entire family laughing at the end of each page.
You Are Here
by Dawn Lanuza
This book of poems is a contemporary take on self-improvement and the importance of allowing yourself to give yourself a second chance. You Are Here asks that you forgive yourself while taking you on a journey of self-care, love, discovery, empowerment, and healing.
Lizzie, Speak
by Kailey Tedesco
So, we can’t get enough of Lizzie Borden — and we hope you can’t, either. Last week, we highlighted a book following the trials of the alleged axe murderer, and this week, we’ve found a poetry book that follows inner monologues that of Ms. Borden’s.
"on other mornings i expect you to find the lip/of axe cutting into my own face
blood smearing my pillow dried brown/from years of sitting"
So, what do you think? Will you be checking out any of these titles this month? Let us know which ones are your favorites below.