What do Jewelry Bonney, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and your favorite poet have in common? They all love delicious pizza!
And frankly, so do we! We love it enough to make our own pizza-themed haiku to celebrate all of its cheesy glory, pictured below.
Just what has got us thinking about haikus and pizza all of a sudden? We’re glad you asked! It’s the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month, and any anniversaries are a cause for celebration. So we’re hosting a Poetry & Pizza party at the library!
Like you probably guessed, Poetry & Pizza Night is focusing on two awesome things: delicious pizza for everyone to enjoy and poetry in all its forms! Like all the best parties, this one is taking place after-hours. You can join us from 6-8 PM on Friday the 17th if you want to join in the fun. We’ll have an open mic for the extroverts, blackout poetry for the introverts, crafts for the artsy souls, and a fun poetry-themed group game for everyone to enjoy! We hope you’ll stop by to celebrate National Poetry Month with us.
If you somehow don’t like pizza (gasp!), you’re probably here because you want to read a book instead. We can help with that too! Try one of these six books to get yourself in a poetry mindset.
How the Boogeyman Became A Poet by Tony Keith Jr.
The Boogeyman has followed Tony around whenever he feels insecure. And as Black, gay teen who grew up in poverty, there’s a lot for him to feel insecure about. Tony dreams about life after high school where he can finally embrace his poetic voice on paper and on stage. But how can his poetic voice grow when he’s hiding who he is?
Tony Keith Jr’s memoir is a poignant YA novel in verse that we know many teens will relate to.
The Leaving Room by Amber McBride
Gospel is the Keeper of the Leaving Room, someone who helps children pass through the in-between space between life and death. But she has no plans to leave the Leaving Room herself. At least, not until she meets Melodee– another Keeper who she quickly finds herself falling for. Now they must find their way back to their bodies and experience life together.
McBride’s latest YA novel is a hauntingly beautiful book in verse that explores grief and the strength of human connection.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
The Poet X is a powerful Afro-Latina novel centered around the world of slam poetry. Xiomara feels unheard in a world that only sees her curves and demands that she stay silent. But she doesn’t want to silence herself to appease others– something that causes her to clash with her religious mother. Acevedo weaves a gripping story about sexism, budding relationships, and staying true to yourself.
This award-winning novel in verse is for the teens who refuse to keep their voices silent.
These Are the Words by Nikita Gill
What are the words to heal from a breakup? To fight for what you believe in? To celebrate finding your family? These Are the Words helps readers explore all this and more in an empowering feminist poetry collection that takes readers on a journey through the seasons of the soul.
Gill’s debut YA poetry collection features beautiful illustrations that accompany seasonal astrological poetry.
Wearing My Mother’s Heart by Sophia Thakur
This poetry collection covers a wide range of topics centered around finding your voice, intergenerational relationships, and learning what it means to be a woman. Told in multiple POVs of a grandmother, mother, and daughter, Thakur explores how previous generations have given us the freedom to speak out.
This YA poetry collection will resonate with teen girls as they learn how to navigate life.
When We Ride by Rex Ogle
Diego works hard. His single mother urges him to stay focused on going to college and getting out of their rundown neighborhood– it’s why she gave him her car. His friend Lawson needs a ride selling weed but that’s fine. It’s not like Diego is selling it, right? But as the stakes rise and Lawson’s drug deals start jeopardizing everything Diego has worked for, he must ask himself an important question: How far is he willing to go for the choices he and his friend have made?
Ogle’s novel in verse is a dynamic story that explores how bonds of friendship and loyalty are tested in hard times.
Do you have another YA poetry book that you want us to highlight? Let us know and we’ll give it a spotlight at our Poetry & Pizza Night!