Rhyme Schemer is a coming-of-age narrative that explores how young people might express and process their difficult experiences through the written word. A novel in verse, the narrative uses its poetic form to enact 12-year-old Kevin’s intimate relationship with poetry. Through his changing relationship with his writing, the novel explores the value of poetry as a coping mechanism.

Initially, Kevin is reluctant to admit that his daily scrawls in his notebook are poetry at all, insisting instead that they’re

just thoughts 

on paper 

rapid fire 

with not as many words 

as usual thoughts 

and none of those dumb 

likes or as-es 

or talking about trees 

that old ladies like (36).

However, Kevin quickly realizes that although he isn’t writing nature poetry, his recorded thoughts are a creative mode of artistic expression. He uses the free-verse form to both record his experiences and process his feelings, all of which feel insurmountable to him outside the confines of his notebook. However, the majority of Kevin’s early poems have an angsty mood, as he details his anger toward his classmates, parents, brothers, and teachers for failing to see him.

Over the course of the novel, Kevin learns that he can use his poetry in a healthier, more productive, and connective manner. Losing his notebook and getting caught for posting slanderous found poems around the school are events that challenge him to reflect on his relationship with poetry. Kevin is mortified when his former bullying victim Robin steals his notebook and distributes his poems to his classmates—publicizing his secrets and private thoughts. He feels as if Robin has robbed him of a precious part of himself that he can’t reclaim.

However, with the help and guidance of his brother Paul and the school librarian, Mrs. Little, Kevin soon learns that he can still express himself with poems but needs to find a better application for his art. He begins writing lyrics for his brother Petey’s band and writing clever missives to Mrs. Little at the library. These new poems offer Kevin a chance to create connection instead of division using his art. By the novel’s end, he reclaims his poetry as a point of pride rather than one of shame. He is hurt and angry when Petey and the bullies tease and attack him for writing poetry, which they insist “is for old ladies” (35). When he owns his love for poetry and reframes it as a talent that makes him unique, he can take more pride in himself. He is also able to channel his hurt into his poetry instead of directing it at others.

In the novel’s final poem, Kevin asserts that

the only easy prey 

as far as [his] eyes can see 

are a million words 

on a million pages 

just waiting (161).

In the novel’s first poem, Kevin calls his bullying victims the “easy prey.” The recurrence of this metaphor in a new context shows how Kevin has changed and the new way he is using his poetry to cope more productively.