Poemsia

November 4, 2019
Leav (Sad Girls) writes the kind of hugely popular poetry (she has more than 500,000 followers on Instagram) that is simultaneously credited with drawing young people’s interest to the genre and also accused of dumbing it down. The heroine of her YA debut, 19-year-old Verity, also writes poetry, but she’s too shy to show it to anyone. When her best friend challenges her to go public, rapid success—followers, celebrity fans, and a publisher—astonishes her. For Verity, a trip to New York City, so far away from Sydney, Australia and the beloved grandfather who raised her, not to mention her new boyfriend—is equal parts exciting and intimidating, even with best friend Jess tagging along. The book rehashes the fight over work that some derisively call Instagram poetry, but it offers no examples of Verity’s writing, leaning instead on overly simplified good-bad dichotomies. Verity is kind, wise, and lovable, while would-be-mentor Mena turns out to be shallow and money-hungry. Closer to home, Verity’s boyfriend’s ex will do whatever it takes to discredit Verity. Alas, a book about the power of words ends up relying on clichés. Ages 14–up. Agent: Al Zuckerman, Writers House.