The Best YA Poetry Books

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Underlined by asking yourself, what inspires you? Check out this list of the best YA poetry books and novels in verse and get inspired to live a poetic life. What poetry are you reading this month? Let us know at @getunderlined!

The Best YA Poetry Books

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe

By Mahogany L. Browne

In this poignant mixed voice, mixed form collection of interconnected prose, poems and stories, teen characters, their families, and their communities grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fear and loss, these New York City teens prevail with love, resilience and hope. From the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky and Vinyl Moon.

“[A] gorgeous, tender testament to the generation of young people who shouldered the pandemic.”
–Brendan Kiely, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author

Grief, pain, hope, and love collide in this short story collection.

Ariel Crashes a Train

By Olivia A. Cole

“A gorgeously kind, wonderfully gentle, and unfailingly compassionate depiction of OCD…bursting with light.”
— Ashley Woodfolk, critically acclaimed author of Nothing Burns as Bright as You

Exploring the harsh reality of OCD and violent intrusive thoughts in stunning, lyrical writing, this novel-in-verse conjures a haunting yet hopeful portrait of a girl on the edge. From the author of Dear Medusa, which New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed called “a fierce and brightly burning feminist roar.”

Bright Red Fruit

By Safia Elhillo

An unflinching, honest novel in verse about a teenager’s journey into the slam poetry scene and the dangerous new relationship that could threaten all her dreams. From the award-winning poet and author of Home Is Not a Country.