Sadly, I've neglected reading poetry during this national month celebrating Poetry. But now I'm reading an inspiring novel in verse.
Does that count?
 |
| From portersquarebooks.com |
White Rose by Kip Wilson (April 2, 2019, Versify/HMH, ages 12 and up)
Synopsis (from Indiebound): Disillusioned by the propaganda of Nazi Germany, Sophie Scholl, her brother, and his fellow soldiers formed the White Rose, a group that wrote and distributed anonymous letters criticizing the Nazi regime and calling for action from their fellow German citizens. The following year, Sophie and her brother were arrested for treason and interrogated for information about their collaborators. This debut novel recounts the lives of Sophie and her friends and highlights their brave stand against fascism in Nazi Germany.
Why I recommend it: The verse is spare and simple and gorgeously written. Interestingly, the narrative jumps back and forth in time, but even my injured brain is having no trouble following it. Keep in mind this is YA. It's a somewhat difficult, though perhaps timely, subject.
Bonus: This novel in verse was written by a young woman I met at the Highlights Foundation in 2017. So proud of you, Kip!
Favorite lines (so far, from p. 46):
It's been five years since
Herr Hitler's thundering rise
to power, and
in that time so much has
changed in our small city:
red flags draped
over offices, schools, homes
armed soldiers blocking entrance to
Jewish businesses
thick, hard dread
spilling over the streets
sharp as glass.
________________________________________
If you're looking for more traditional posts for National Poetry Month:
Please visit Jan Godown Annino at Bookseedstudio and Linda Mitchell at A Word Edgewise.
(And coincidentally, I met them both at Highlights, in 2016!)
Yes, it counts! I love books in verse -- some stories just beg to be shared in a more lyrical way. I will read any story about WWII and this story is intriguing and a beautiful story of bravery. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad it counts. Thanks, Patricia. I also love books about WWII.
DeleteNovels in verse are neat. I've read a few of them, but not this one. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteIt's brand new, Janet, so not too many people have read it yet.
DeleteI second the motion that it counts. This sounds like a story that needed to be told in verse. I'll be looking for it.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Greg. And thanks for saying it counts.
DeleteBooks in verse totally count! And anyway, you're doing better than me. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like one of those important reads that I may have to fit into life but will find a way to, anyway. Thanks for the recommendation! Always great to hear your picks!
Thanks, Suzanne!
DeleteYes, verse books count! This one sounds great. How fun that you met the author at a Highlights workshop. Lovely. I will check this book out. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosi! You've been to Highlights too, right?
DeleteThat's awesome that you know Kip. This sounds interesting. I just picked up Jennifer's Nielsen's Resistance from the library. It's from the same time period.
ReplyDeleteShe's a lovely and talented young woman, Natalie! I was honored to get to know her at Highlights. I've heard of that book by Jennifer Nielsen. I should read that.
DeleteI totally forgot that April is Poetry Month! Thanks for the reminder; I'll have to do something. Poetry in my pocket, maybe, or book spine poems are always fun!
ReplyDeleteThis book keeps coming to my attention, and it sounds quite wonderful. We don't hear a lot about the German resistance to Hitler. I will have to find a copy.
Ha ha, Kim! It's not too late to read (or write!) some poetry. Glad this book has already come to your attention. You're right that we don't see a lot of books about the German resistance. That's why this one is so perfect.
DeleteAt the top of my next to read list. You know I love YA in verse! 🥰
ReplyDeleteYes, I do, Dede! Your YA novel in verse is next on my list.
Delete