National Poetry Month Recommended Reads for All Ages

In January, the country was riveted by the powerful, moving performance of America's youngest inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman. Join us to celebrate poetry for all ages during the month of April, National Poetry Month!

Modern Poetry for Adults

Curated by Librarians Stephanie Howes and Courtney Rose Gonsowski

• Field Music by Alexandria Hall (811 HALL)
• Negotiations by Destiny O. Birdsong (811 BIRDSONG)
• Thrown in the Throat by Benjamin Garcia (811 GARCIA)
• Scared Violent like Horses by John McCarthy (811 MCCARTHY)
• The Truth About Magic by Atticus (811.6 ATTICUS)
• Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky (811 KAMINSKY)
• Angel Bones by Ilyse Kusnetz (811 KUSNETZ)
• Finna by Nate Marshall (811 MARSHALL)
• An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo (811 HARJO)
• Owed by Joshua Bennett (811 BENNETT)
• I Would Leave Me if I Could.: A Collection of Poetry by Halsey (811.6 HALSEY)

Poetry for Teens

Curated by Librarian Katie Guzan

• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
• Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes
• Somebody Give This Girl a Pen by Sophia Thakur
• Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
• Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
• The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
• Say Her Name by Zetta Elliott
• Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty by Christine Hepperman
• Solo by Kwame Alexander
• Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
• What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones
• One by Sarah Crossan
• Kent State by Deborah Wiles
• Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh

Poetry for Older Kids

Curated by Librarian Ting Ko

• The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
• Emily Dickinson: Poetry for Kids Illustrated by Christine Davenier; edited by Susan Snively, Ph.D
• Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade
• Rhyme Schemer by K.A. Holt
• On the Horizon by Lois Lowry; illustrated by Kenard Pak
• The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
• Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Poetry for Younger Kids

Curated by Librarian Tricia Nelson

• The Best Worst Poet Ever by Lauren Stohler
• Catch the Sky: Playful Poems on the Air We Share by Robert Heidbreder  
• Construction People by Lee Bennett Hopkins 
• Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer 
• Dreamers by Yuyi Morales 
• Hard-boiled Bugs for Breakfast: And Other Tasty Poems by Jack Prelutsky
• Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton 
• Keep a Pocket in Your Poem: Classic Poems and Playful Parodies by J. Patrick Lewis 
• My Heart by Corinna Luyken 
• Nine: A Book of Nonet Poems by Irene Latham
• 'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis
• Old Mother Hubbard by Jane Cabrera
• Poetree by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds 
• Soccerverse: Poems about Soccer by Elizabeth Steinglass
• A Story about Afiya by James Berry 
• Write! Write! Write! by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater