Discovering stories that represent diverse voices with inclusive experiences —without relying on stereotypes—can pose a challenge for educators. But teachers and librarians are discovering a rich source of complex and culturally authentic narratives for their students in an expanding literary genre: the novel in verse.
Lisa Krok is a former teacher and the adult and teen services manager at Morley Library in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as the author of the book Novels in Verse for Teens: A Guidebook with Activities for Teachers and Librarians.In her work, Krok illustrates how the verse novel has grown into a vivid landscape representing marginalized communities and is characterized by #Ownvoices authors.
Read this exclusive interview with Krok to learn more about expanding your own collection with diverse stories and authors, and the unique educational opportunities you can discover through the novel in verse.
Novels in Verse for Teens: A Guidebook with Activities for Teachers and Librarians is published by ABC-CLIO’s Libraries Unlimited, an imprint committed to supporting the life-long professional development of educators and librarians through every phase of their careers. Click here to view this and other Libraries Unlimited titles.
