Zita suggested this list of books that “read” differently, to inspire us to maybe “write” differently too.

Inside Out and Back Again
by Lai, Thanhhà
Chronicle of a young girl’s life as she and her family make the
transition from living in Vietman to living in Alabama.
Shanghai Messenger
by Cheng, Andrea
A young girl’s visit with her extended family in China. Finding
differences and similarities to life in America and the importance
of family.
Love that Dog
by Creech, Karen
A book written in free verse style about poetry from the
perspective of a young boy who hates writing poetry.
Out of the Dust
by Hesse, Karen
A book about the Dust Bowl from the perspective on a young girl.
Tragic and hopeful. Underscores the hardships faced by farmers
during that time — to a degree we can’t even fanthom.
Brown Girl Dreaming
by Woodson, Jacqueline
Crossover
by Alexander, Kwame
Told from two twin brother’s viewpoint and their love for
basketball. As they approach junior high and meet a girl, a rift
develops between them.
Make Lemonade
by Wolff, Virgina Euwer
Told from the perspective of a young girl living in Portland.

Gone Fishing: A novel in verse
by Wissinger, Tamera
This one is an illustrated book but unlike the other ones on this list, the verse
tends to rhyme.
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings, a Memoir
by Engle, Margarita
It is an illustrated children’s book

Epic poetry of yore……
Examples of narrative poetry (more for the adult reader and even young adult reader)

Aeneid by Virgil
The Odyssey by Homer ( I prefer the Fitzgerald translation)
The Iliad by Homer
Beowulf
Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
The Divine Comedy by Dante
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Song of Hiawatha —
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge
The Song of Roland