December
30
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The 2015 Nerdies: Poetry and Novels in Verse Winners Announced by Mary Lee Hahn
Congratulations to the 2015 Nerdy Book Club Award Winners for Best Poetry and Novels in Verse!
2015 NERDY POETRY — DI-VERSE
DIVERSE ETHNICITIES — we celebrate
DIVERSE HISTORIES — we remember
DIVERSE FAMILIES — we experience
DIVERSE WORLD — we glorify
DIVERSE ETHNICITIES — WE CELEBRATE
28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World
by Charles R. Smith, illus. by Shane W. Evans
Roaring Brook Press
author’s website: http://charlesrsmithjr.com/
28 notable men and women in African-American history to be honored during Black History Month and celebrated throughout the year.
Flutter and Hum/ Aleteo y Zumbido
by Julie Paschkis
Henry Holt and Co.
author’s website: http://juliepaschkis.com/
Gorgeously illustrated animal poems written in both Spanish and English.
DIVERSE HISTORIES — WE REMEMBER
Audacity
by Melanie Crowder
Philomel Books
author’s website: http://melaniecrowder.net/
A novel in verse inspired by the real-life story of Clara Lemlich, a Jewish immigrant from Russia who worked for women’s labor rights at the turn of the century.
My Seneca Village
by Marilyn Nelson
namelos
author’s website: http://marilyn-nelson.com/
Voices from the multi-ethnic, multi-racial 19th century Manhattan neighborhood of Seneca Village, which was destroyed to make Central Park.
Paper Hearts
by Meg Wiviott
Margaret K. McElderry Books
author’s website: http://megwiviott.com/index2.php#/home/
A novel in verse based on the true story of two girls who survived Auschwitz through bravery and the strength of their friendship.
Blue Birds
by Caroline Starr Rose
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
author’s website: http://carolinestarrrose.com
Set in 1587 on the island of Roanoke, this novel in verse tells a story of friendship between an English girl and a native girl.
The Death of The Hat: A Brief History of Poetry in 50 Objects
selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Candlewick
author’s website: http://www.paulbjaneczko.com/
A unique look at the history of poetry through the lens of objects that reflect the time in which each poet lived.
DIVERSE FAMILIES — WE EXPERIENCE
Enchanted Air Two Cultures Two Wings A Memoir
by Margarita Engle
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
author’s website: http://www.margaritaengle.com/
A memoir in verse about the two cultures of the author’s childhood — Cuba and Los Angeles during the cold war.
Full Cicada Moon
by Marilyn Hilton
Dial Books
author’s website: http://www.marilynhilton.com/
A novel in verse about identity — about being biracial in 1969 in Vermont, and about being a girl who wants to take shop and be an astronaut.
House Arrest
by K.A. Holt
Chronicle Books
author’s website: http://kaholt.com/
A novel in verse detailing a year in the life of Timothy, a seventh grader who is on house arrest for stealing a wallet — the wrong thing done for all the right reasons.
DIVERSE WORLD — WE GLORIFY
National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry
selected by J. Patrick Lewis
National Geographic Children’s Books
author’s website: http://www.jpatricklewis.com/
More than 200 nature-related poems selected by former Children’s Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis and illustrated with gorgeous National Geographic photos.
Sweep Up the Sun
by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder
Candlewick
authors’ websites: http://www.helenfrost.net/
http://www.bugdreams.com/
This single poem illustrated with stunning photographs is about the importance of taking flight, both literal and metaphorical.
Mary Lee Hahn is a 5th grade teacher in Dublin, Ohio. Her poetry has been published in the Poetry Friday anthologies, Dear Tomato: An International Crop of Food and Agriculture Poems, and The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry. Her website is maryleehahn.com, she blogs with Franki Sibberson at A Year of Reading, and she can be found on Twitter @MaryLeeHahn.
Nerdy Book Club 
Must also mention picture book winner Voice of Freedom could easily appear in this list, too. 😊
Love seeing poetry featured here– thanks, Mary Lee, for shining a light on some wonderful titles from this year!
Fabulous choices! Some I’ve read, some I will soon. Congratulations to all!
I keep an amazon tab open on one monitor and your blog on the other. Between your books in verse list and graphic novel list, I now have 18 items in my basket. Yikes!!! This is a dangerous blog to follow. Happy New Year, Donalyn :o)
I have a feeling that you don’t really mind:) I am glad that you found some great titles to read and share!
My goodness. What a list of (and what a year for) verse! So beautiful that these books fell into such similar lines. I’m honored that Blue Birds is included here. Thank you, NBC readers!
Thank you! What a great list, a small sample of the excellent poetry for children that has been published this year.
A beautiful list, and a beautiful verse atop the list! Thank you, Nerdies and thank you, Mary Lee. I celebrate with you! Congratulations, all! And may 2016 be as full of poetry… xo
Lovely–congratulations to everyone! Several here I haven’t seen yet. Off to request:>)
I see some of my 2015 favorites, and I’m definitely headed to the library for the rest! Lovely list, congratulations to the poets, and hip hip-hop hooray for poetry of all kinds!!!!
Thank you- my nerdy self is honored and happy to be on this list with so many great books.
Happy New Year to everyone.
I’m very honored to find my book on the list!