Rhyme Schemer

Rhyme Schemer is a young adult (YA) novel in verse. This means that the novel is written in the form of numerous poems. All the poems that the protagonist, Kevin Jamison, scrawls in his notebook or on the back of his old homework sheets are written from his first-person point of view, and they offer insight into his complex, adolescent interior. These poems are largely written in a free-verse form, which means they do not follow a prescribed rhyme scheme or other traditional poetic model. They have a more narrative quality, conveying Kevin’s lived experiences and his responses to them.

The novel’s poetic form renders Kevin’s adolescent coming-of-age story in an accessible way for a wide range of young readers. Novels in verse traditionally follow a typical narrative structure: Like the traditional novel, they begin with an inciting incident, which is followed by the rising action and the climax, which are then followed by the falling action, denouement, and resolution. However, instead of using conventional prose to tell the story, novels in verse rely on poetic forms, including stanzas and line breaks, as well as imagery, metaphor, rhythm, and white space.

Rhyme Schemer joins a growing tradition of other YA novels in verse. Titles like Holt’s use the rhythmic and linguistic patterns of poetry to baldly explore deep emotional themes, making uncomfortable topics palatable and inviting to early readers. Holt’s novel is in conversation with other titles like Amber McBride’s Me (Moth), Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X, and Andrea Beatriz Arango’s Iveliz Explains It All. These novels similarly feature young characters who rely on poetry as a form of self-expression; their collected poems help them tell their stories of adversity and growth.

Rhyme Schemer also falls under the wider young adult fiction genre. YA literature emerged on the literary stage beginning in the early 2000s, and its popularity and reach has only grown since. By definition, “YA Literature […] often explore[s] themes of identity, self-discovery, and the transition to adulthood, providing readers with relatable narratives that mirror their own journeys. The protagonists frequently grapple with issues such as friendship, first love, and societal expectations, fostering a strong connection between readers and characters” (Harrison, Wayne, and Bec Ehlers. “What Is Young Adult Literature?” Oregon State University, 5 Feb. 2024). In its complexity, YA literature is a “step up” from middle grade literature and a “step down” from adult literature. For example, YA novels might touch on themes of sexuality and sexual awakening, which are more advanced than the themes of middle grade novels, but may not explore these ideas as explicitly as they would be in adult novels. YA titles seek to offer an adolescent readership important life lessons via accessible, entertaining storylines.