📖 Overview
Sarah Crossan is an Irish author known for her young adult novels written in verse form. Her work frequently explores complex themes including family relationships, identity, and social issues.
Crossan's breakthrough came with her 2012 novel "The Weight of Water," which earned multiple award nominations and established her signature style of narrative verse. Her most acclaimed work, "One," published in 2015, won the Carnegie Medal and tells the story of conjoined twins navigating adolescence.
Between 2018 and 2020, Crossan served as the Laureate na nÓg (Ireland's Children's Literature Laureate), during which she promoted poetry and creative writing among young people. Her first adult novel, "Here is the Beehive," was published in 2020, maintaining her verse-novel format while exploring adult themes.
Her books have been translated into multiple languages and have received numerous accolades, including the CLiPPA Poetry Award and the Irish Book Award. Crossan's work is particularly noted for making poetry accessible to young readers while tackling challenging subject matter.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Crossan's verse-novel format for its emotional impact and readability. Many note finishing her books in single sittings, with the poetic structure making heavy themes more digestible. On Goodreads, readers consistently mention the power of sparse language to convey complex feelings.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Unique storytelling through verse that flows naturally
- Handling of difficult subjects with sensitivity
- Character development through minimal text
- Accessibility for reluctant readers
Common criticisms include:
- Too simple writing style for some topics
- Character relationships that feel underdeveloped
- Verse format can feel gimmicky to poetry purists
- Abrupt endings in several books
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- One: 4.3/5 (31,000+ ratings)
- The Weight of Water: 4.0/5 (6,000+ ratings)
- Here is the Beehive: 3.8/5 (4,000+ ratings)
Amazon averages 4.5/5 across titles, with verified purchase reviews noting the books' quick reading pace and emotional resonance.
📚 Books by Sarah Crossan
One
A verse novel following the lives of conjoined teenage twins Grace and Tippi as they face first love, family struggles, and life-changing decisions.
The Weight of Water Written in verse, tells the story of a young Polish immigrant named Kasienka who moves to England with her mother and deals with bullying and cultural adjustment.
Apple and Rain A narrative poem about 13-year-old Apple reuniting with her mother after eleven years, exploring themes of abandonment and family relationships.
Here is the Beehive An adult verse novel about an affair between a married woman and a man who suddenly dies, leaving his lover to process her grief in secret.
Moonrise A verse novel following seventeen-year-old Joe, who visits his brother on death row during the countdown to his execution.
Toffee Written in free verse, chronicles the story of a runaway teenager who forms an unlikely friendship with an elderly woman suffering from dementia.
We Come Apart A collaborative verse novel with Brian Conaghan about the unlikely relationship between a Romanian immigrant and a troubled British teen.
Breathe A dystopian novel set in a world where oxygen is rationed and controlled by a powerful corporation.
The Weight of Water Written in verse, tells the story of a young Polish immigrant named Kasienka who moves to England with her mother and deals with bullying and cultural adjustment.
Apple and Rain A narrative poem about 13-year-old Apple reuniting with her mother after eleven years, exploring themes of abandonment and family relationships.
Here is the Beehive An adult verse novel about an affair between a married woman and a man who suddenly dies, leaving his lover to process her grief in secret.
Moonrise A verse novel following seventeen-year-old Joe, who visits his brother on death row during the countdown to his execution.
Toffee Written in free verse, chronicles the story of a runaway teenager who forms an unlikely friendship with an elderly woman suffering from dementia.
We Come Apart A collaborative verse novel with Brian Conaghan about the unlikely relationship between a Romanian immigrant and a troubled British teen.
Breathe A dystopian novel set in a world where oxygen is rationed and controlled by a powerful corporation.
👥 Similar authors
Ellen Hopkins writes verse novels for young adults that deal with difficult topics like addiction, abuse, and mental health. Her books share Crossan's poetic style and unflinching approach to complex social issues.
David Levithan crafts narratives that explore identity and relationships with similar emotional depth to Crossan's work. His books often experiment with form and perspective while addressing LGBTQ+ themes and contemporary teenage experiences.
Elizabeth Acevedo creates verse novels centered on young people discovering their identity and navigating family dynamics. Her work, like Crossan's, uses poetry to tell stories about cultural belonging and coming-of-age experiences.
Kwame Alexander writes verse novels that blend sports, family relationships, and coming-of-age themes. His books share Crossan's accessibility while dealing with serious topics through poetry.
Sonya Sones produces verse novels focusing on family relationships and teenage experiences. Her work explores emotional complexity through poetry, similar to Crossan's approach to storytelling.
David Levithan crafts narratives that explore identity and relationships with similar emotional depth to Crossan's work. His books often experiment with form and perspective while addressing LGBTQ+ themes and contemporary teenage experiences.
Elizabeth Acevedo creates verse novels centered on young people discovering their identity and navigating family dynamics. Her work, like Crossan's, uses poetry to tell stories about cultural belonging and coming-of-age experiences.
Kwame Alexander writes verse novels that blend sports, family relationships, and coming-of-age themes. His books share Crossan's accessibility while dealing with serious topics through poetry.
Sonya Sones produces verse novels focusing on family relationships and teenage experiences. Her work explores emotional complexity through poetry, similar to Crossan's approach to storytelling.