Poetry for teens and young adults

This collection of poems explores heritage and culture, womanhood and gender-based violence, family and community. Jassat's signature style is accessible and approachable, whether you're a keen poetry fan or reading poems for the first time.

Xiomara has always kept her words to herself, but she is slowly beginning to find her voice. This is a beautifully written coming of age story. We love the character development and the courage that Xiomara shows.

This novel in verse follows Amber, a young girl whose only escape from her abusive father is an athletics club at school. In a world where she feels trapped, running is where she feels free. Each chapter takes the form of a short poem, making it highly readable. We love how the poems play with shape on the page, bringing something new to the world of novels in verse.

Josh and his twin brother live for basketball- it is in their blood. However, they soon realise that life is not like a basketball game, and it isn’t always about winning. We love this clever mix of sport and poetry- it’s a book sports fans won't want to put down.

Will’s brother was shot. Will knows what to do next. He takes his brother's gun and steps into the lift in his apartment block. But his journey to the ground floor is not what he expected… We love the emotional journey of Long Way Down. This is a gripping and haunting story that will remain with you long after you finish reading.

Split into two sections, light and dark, this collection charts Jay's journey from growing up in a working-class family in Leicestershire to his feelings and thoughts about school life, and his experience as a transgender teenager. We love the honest representation of the universal issues in this poetry collection. It explores themes that all teenagers can relate to.

Fiercely told in narrative verse, The Black Flamingo is a wonderfully honest and moving read. This is the coming of age story of Michael, a mixed-race gay teen. Readers will be completely absorbed by Michael’s personal journey.

A modern, feminist retelling of myths and legends that speak to the complexities and challenges of modern life. This poetry collection is vividly told and will grip any reader. We love the beautifully illustrations intertwined with the poems.

A stunning retelling of classic Scottish myths, beautifully illustrated by Helene Boppert. This collection of poems will immerse readers in a diverse and inclusive vision of contemporary life. You are sure to become captivated by this enchanting read.

Jake loves roller skating, reading Emily Dickinson and watching musicals with his grandma, but often he feels alone. His only company is The Voice. The Voice tells Jake to eat less, to be better, to work harder. After he’s sent to a recovery clinic for disordered eating, Jake has to start his journey towards recovery. This moving novel in verse beautifully uses its words, its layout, and its font to capture the reality of living with, and healing from, disordered eating.

This debut collection from Karl Nova bridges poetry and hip-hop, using Nova’s signature down-to-earth style to explore coming of age. Written through his workshops with young people, the poems are an excellent introduction to rhythm – providing perfect inspiration for anyone who wants to learn more about hip-hop, rap or poetry or even try writing themselves!

After a violent attack, fourteen-year-old Ronny’s mother moves them both from London to Norwich. Now, however, Ronny feels out of place as a Black teenager in a mostly white school. When Ronny’s class has a visit from a local poet, Ronny’s love of rap and writing is rekindled. Using a spoken word style to create a unique novel in verse, we love Ronny’s voice, and his story of friendship and resilience.

Set during the Irish famine in 1846, this novel in verse follows Nell, a young girl working as a scullery maid in the house of Sir Philip Wicken. As the famine worsens, and Nell’s family struggle to survive, Wicken’s nephew Johnny arrives, throwing Nell’s life in a new direction. We love how this historical love story demonstrates both the personal and the political and where they cross over. Crossan’s use of verse perfectly captures her characters and how they are shaped, but not defined, by the history they live through.