Books for National Poetry Month

By Coll Rowe | February 26 2026 | English Language Arts

For National Poetry Month in April, we’re highlighting a selection of classic and contemporary poetry collections and novels-in-verse.

 

Poetry Month – Middle School Titles

Poetry Month – High School Titles

 

Download free thematic educator guides:

 Middle School Guide on Teaching Poetry

High School Guide on Teaching Poetry

Poems & Prayers
Poems & Prayers
Matthew McConaughey
9781984862105
From the Academy Award–winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Greenlights comes an inspiring, faith-filled, and often hilarious collection of personal poetry and prayers about navigating the rodeo of life and chasing down the original dream, belief.  My prayers are my poems are my prayers.
$29.00 US
Sep 16, 2025
Hardcover
208 Pages
Crown
The Penguin Book of Greek and Latin Lyric Verse
The Penguin Book of Greek and Latin Lyric Verse
9780141392134
A window onto the past, full of fire and life: two immortal traditions as the English language has never seen them beforeA Penguin Classic
$30.00 US
Aug 12, 2025
Paperback
1008 Pages
Penguin Classics
Forest of Noise
Forest of Noise
Poems
Mosab Abu Toha
9780593803974
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • "A powerful, capacious, and profound" (Ocean Vuong) new collection of poems about life in Gaza by an acclaimed Palestinian poet and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
$22.00 US
Oct 15, 2024
Hardcover
96 Pages
Knopf
Ink Knows No Borders
Ink Knows No Borders
Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience
9781609809072
Contributors to Ink Knows No Borders:
$16.95 US
Mar 12, 2019
Paperback
208 Pages
Triangle Square
A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe
A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe
Mahogany L. Browne
9780593486504
In this poignant mixed voice, mixed form collection of interconnected prose, poems and stories, teen characters, their families, and their communities grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fear and loss, these New York City teens prevail with love, resilience and hope. From the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky and Vinyl Moon.
$12.99 US
Mar 03, 2026
Paperback
160 Pages
Crown Books for Young Readers
The Story of My Anger
The Story of My Anger
Jasminne Mendez
9780593531877
PURA BELPRÉ HONOR BOOK • A powerful young adult novel-in-verse about a Texas teen battling racism in her theater program and book banning efforts by her town’s school board—from the acclaimed author of Aniana del Mar Jumps In. An International Literacy Association Notable Book for a Global Society • Selected for ALA’s Rise: A Feminist Book Project List • Selected for YALSA 2026 Best Fiction for Young Adults List
$19.99 US
Sep 16, 2025
Hardcover
336 Pages
Dial Books
The Poetry Book
The Poetry Book
DK
9780744080834
An accessible guide to the most important poems ever written— from the Epic of Gilgamesh to The Waste Land—and the poets behind them
$29.99 US
Nov 07, 2023
Hardcover
336 Pages
DK
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