Is it poetry, or prose in verse, or a free verse novel, or a novel in verse?  All epithets have been used for the novel-length stories told in verse form.  Writing a book is challenge enough, but to write it in verse, rhyming or not, seems almost inexecutable.  Luckily, several authors have found their voices in this writing style and they are exceptionally skilled at it.  Judging by the awards bestowed upon the ten books in this list and the young readers of both genders who consume these stories voraciously, it is a style that has a solid foothold in kidsCanLit.
 

The Crazy Man by Pamela Porter:

After twelve-year-old Em loses her right foot in a farming accident, her father blames himself and ultimately leaves.  Her mother enlists the help of Angus, a quiet, hard-working man from the local mental hospital, to help with the farm. While dealing with her own disability, and desperately trying to find her father, Em witnesses how prejudice and abuse, particularly that levelled against Angus, has its roots in fear.

In The Garage by Alma Fullerton:

Living with her port-stain birthmark on her face, overweight Barbara Jean has been outcast by all, except Alexander.  Their friendship, however, is challenged when Barbara Jean betrays him for the opportunity to be socially accepted.  

Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston:

On the run from her wicked guardian, Katrina Katrell meets Morty the Zorgle who is looking for all the missing Zorgles.  Together Katrina and Morty look to save the mythical creatures from the evil Dulbert Hohummer III of the planet Graybalon-Four.  

 
Libertad by Alma Fullerton:

Libertad tells the painful yet hopeful story of a family struggling to survive in a garbage dump in Guatemala City.  After the tragic death of their mother, Libertad and his brother Julio realize they cannot stay in the dump, and they begin an incredible journey to find their father in the U.S.

The Apprentice's Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain by Melanie Little:

In fifteenth century Spain, the Benvenistes, a family of conversos (Jews who converted to Christianity) must keep their secrets well once Queen Isabella comes to power and imposes her intolerance on the country. After Amir, a young man in Muslim attire, is welcomed by the family, shocking events, including the Spanish Inquisition, transpire to divide and destroy the family.

Wolf Pack of the Winisk River by Paul Brown/ Illustrated by Robert Kakegamic:

Wolf, a lone wolf, makes his way through the northern landscape south of Hudson Bay, dealing with humans, hunger, rivals, and other animals to make it to the mouth of the Winisk River.
 

Burn by Alma Fullerton:

When Casey's mom leaves to go on the road and perform as she did before she settled down with John and had Ginny, Casey's autistic sister, Casey is overwhelmed by what she must endure, virtually alone:  John’s despair, heartless bullying, Ginny’s special needs, and her own need to connect with her mom again.  Sadly, the concept of smoke signals, familiar from childhood, becomes one of her choices to amend her life.

Yellow Mini by Lori Weber:

After his dad dies, Mark is left his yellow mini, which Mark enthusiastically drives around town.  Through Mark’s voice, and those of his new girlfriend, Stacey, and other teens, the reader bears witness to their hidden fears and desires, as they all try to make sense of their worlds and their places in it.
 

I’ll be Watching by Pamela Porter:

In 1940’s Saskatchewan, the Loney family endures hardship upon hardship.  Their mother, Margaret, has passed on; their dad, George, drinks and remarries bitter and self-righteous Effie Slade; eldest son, Ran, enlists in the military to make some money for the family which disappears repeatedly in the mail; and fourteen-year-old Nora is ultimately left in charge of her younger brother with little money for lights, heat or food.

Karma by Cathy Ostlere:

After her mother’s suicide, fifteen-year-old Maya and her father carry the ashes to India.  However, it is 1984 and their arrival coincides with the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the prime minister.   In the mayhem, Maya is separated from her father and gets help from Sandeep, a mysterious boy, who she grows to love.

Helen Kubiw, the blogger behind CanLit for LittleCanadians, is a Canadian teacher, school librarian, relentless reader, reviewer, current co-chair of the Forest of Reading®, selection committee member, writers' festival volunteer and enthusiastic promoter of great Canadian literature for young readers. She lives in Eden Mills, Ontario.