Celebrate National Poetry Month

 

In April of 1996, poets in the United States received the recognition that they deserve. On this day the Academy of American Poets named April as National Poetry Month. Readers from all over America use this month to pay homage to the creativity of this art form. SCBookGal and Friends have created a list of the reads that will capture your attention and introduce others to this great art form. (All book links are connected to Amazon.)

Children (Ages 0-9)

• Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2020

• Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2020

• All Because You Matter by Tami Charles; Orchard Books, October 6, 2020

• Hey Black Child  by Useni Eugene Perkins ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017

• Hip Hop Speaks To Children: A Celebration of Poetry With a Beat Edited by Nikki Giovanni, Sourcebooks Explore, 2008

• The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children  by Davida Adedjouma, Lee & Low Books, 1996

  

Tweens (10-14)

• Amanda Gorman: Inspiring Hope with Poetry by Dr. Artika R. Tyner, Lerner Publications, 2022

• And We Rise: The Civil Rights Movement in Poems by Eric Martin,Viking Books for Young Readers, 2023

• Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson, Nancy Paulsen Book, 2004 

• The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, Versify, 2019

• Say Her Name by Zetta Elliot, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2020

• Before The Ever After By Jacqueline Woodson,  Nancy Paulsen Books, 2022

Young Adult (14-17)

• Dark Testament: Blackout Poems by Crystal Simone Smith, Henry Holt and Co., 2023

• Respect the Mic : Celebrating 20 Years of Poetry from a Chicagoland High School / edited by Hanif Abdurraqib, Franny Choi, Peter Kahn, Dan "Sully" Sullivan, Penguin Workshop, 2023

• Black Flamingo by Dean Atta,  Balzer + Bray, 2021

• Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne, ‎Crown Books for Young Readers, 2021

• Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, Balzer + Bra, 2021

• Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, Quill Tree Books, 2022

Adult (18- older)

• Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans,  2021

• Hood Vacations by  Michal “MJ” Jones,  2023

• Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems, Recipes, Letters, and Remembrances  by Kwame Alexander,  Little, Brown Company, 2023

• Promise That You Will Sing About Me: the Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar by  Miles Marshall Lewis.

• Balladz by Sharon Olds, Knopf, 2022

• No Land in Sight: Poems by Charles Simic, Knopf, 2022