A middle grade novel in verse that is not only thought provoking but also incredibly entertaining. Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis should be your next read.

Cayenne has just moved to her first home with her family. They have always lived a nomadic existence and now, for the start of seventh grade, she will have a permanent home, her dad, a permanent job and she will start in a new school and finally be able to make real friends. Of course, things don’t always proceed as idyllically as Cayenne hopes.

Jessica Vitalis explores topics that will get readers thinking about economic status, friendships, and mental health all in this easily flowing novel in verse. I absolutely adore a novel in verse. Readers still get a beautiful and hearty story while also exploring different rhythms, patterns and styles. Cayenne had a lot going on in this story an readers will be able to empathize with her story. 

I loved the theme of friendship and that longing for popularity that is so visceral among readers in this age group. Wanting to be part of the “flute girls” group to the slight detriment of building other bonds was very interesting to explore in a novel in verse. There are such profound moments of real reflection and poignancy in the story, like the questioning of worth and the exploration of what depression looks like.

I also loved that this story ended on a hopeful note but not a happy note. Cayenne doesn’t end up with the perfect ending to the story, it’s messy and complicated, just like life. It think readers will appreciate that this story is not wrapped in a bow but rather wrapped in reused paper.

The story flows so easily from verse to verse, pausing when needing and accelerating when its called for. It is a book that was so difficult to put down because it just rolled so easily from page to page that it was so easy to fall into the “just one more page” rhythm. A beautiful story that deserves a place of honour among the bookshelf titles.