Welcome to April’s National Poetry Month! To celebrate, the Butler Center is featuring books written in verse, rhymes, or other type of poetic form, featuring the highly anticipated novel in verse, Louder Than Hunger, by John Schu. In this fictionalized version of Schu’s experience, main character Jake struggles with the complexities of young teenage life as well as with anorexia. Working in a nursing home to avoid other people his age, he slowly has to address the realities of living with an eating disorder. This powerful depiction of adolescence and body image feels like a personal journey of learning acceptance and self-love that will speak to many middle grade readers.

Check out more of our poetry month features below!

The Boy Lost in the Maze
Written by Joseph Coelho
Illustrated by Kate Milner
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Bros
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Reggie Brown
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

I Believe in Me
Written and illustrated by Emma Dodd
Published by Templar Books
Available now!

Louder Than Hunger
Written by John Schu
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

The Mighty Pollinators
Written by Helen Frost
Illustrated by Rick Lieder
Available now!