And Then, Boom!

In recent years, novels-in-verse have become an increasingly popular subcategory of middle-grade literature. Writers such as Kwame Alexander, author of The Crossover (2014); Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming (2014); and Sharon Creech, author of Love That Dog (2001) have helped to establish this unique structure as a powerful method of telling emotionally complex stories in an accessible, lyrical way. Verse novels typically use line breaks, white space, and poetic techniques to slow down emotional moments, explore characters’ inner worlds, and amplify voice. This form can be especially effective for reluctant readers or for students with varying literacy levels, as the visual layout and concise phrasing reduce the intimidation factor of involved in tackling large blocks of text (Short, Kasey. “Try Middle Grades Novels in Verse! The Why, Which and How.” MiddleWeb, 6 Feb. 2022).

In And Then, Boom!, Lisa Fipps uses the verse form to capture the intensity of Joey’s emotional experiences, amplifying the intensity of his hunger, fear, hope, and anger. The use of verse also demonstrates Joey’s fractured, unstable life; each poem stands as a snapshot of a moment or feeling, providing a sense of his various stages of growth.