📖 Overview
Lisa Schroeder is an American author who primarily writes contemporary young adult and middle-grade fiction. She is particularly known for her novels written in verse format and her ability to tackle complex emotional themes for young readers.
Her notable works include "I Heart You, You Haunt Me," which earned recognition on multiple state reading lists and established her signature verse-novel style. "Chasing Brooklyn" and "The Day Before" further cemented her reputation in the young adult verse novel category.
Schroeder has also written several middle-grade novels including the "Charmed Life" series and standalone works like "My Secret Guide to Paris." Her stories often explore themes of love, loss, family relationships, and self-discovery.
Beyond her verse novels, Schroeder has authored picture books and traditional prose novels. She holds a bachelor's degree in business from Oregon State University and currently resides in Oregon, where she continues to write for young readers.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently rate Schroeder's verse novels higher than her prose works. The poetic format receives praise for making emotional stories accessible to reluctant readers.
What readers liked:
- Quick, engaging reading pace
- Emotional depth without becoming overwhelming
- Handling of grief and loss themes
- Clean content appropriate for younger YA readers
- Accessible poetry format for those new to verse novels
What readers disliked:
- Simple plots, especially in middle-grade books
- Character development sometimes feels rushed
- Romance storylines can be predictable
- Some found the verse format limiting for complex stories
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: Average 3.9/5 across all books
- "I Heart You, You Haunt Me": 4.0/5 (30,000+ ratings)
- "Chasing Brooklyn": 4.1/5 (12,000+ ratings)
Amazon: Average 4.3/5
Common reader comment: "Perfect for introducing young readers to poetry and serious themes while keeping the story accessible." (Goodreads reviewer)
📚 Books by Lisa Schroeder
I Heart You, You Haunt Me - A verse novel about a teenage girl coping with the death of her boyfriend who begins visiting her as a ghost.
Far from You - A story told in verse about a girl dealing with her father's remarriage, a new baby sister, and being trapped in a car during a snowstorm.
Chasing Brooklyn - A dual-narrative verse novel following two teens connected by loss who are being haunted by their past.
The Day Before - A verse novel chronicling 24 hours in the life of a teen girl who meets a mysterious boy on the beach while facing a life-changing event.
Falling for You - A story about a girl who finds solace in poetry while navigating an abusive relationship and family troubles.
It's Raining Cupcakes - A middle-grade novel about a girl who enters a baking contest while helping her mother open a cupcake shop.
Sprinkles and Secrets - The companion novel to It's Raining Cupcakes, following a different character pursuing her dreams of acting.
The Bridge from Me to You - A combination of verse and prose narrative about a girl who moves to a small town and falls for a football player questioning his future.
All We Have Is Now - A story about two homeless teens who spend what might be their last day alive helping others, as an asteroid approaches Earth.
My Secret Guide to Paris - A middle-grade novel about a girl who follows her late grandmother's scavenger hunt through Paris.
Far from You - A story told in verse about a girl dealing with her father's remarriage, a new baby sister, and being trapped in a car during a snowstorm.
Chasing Brooklyn - A dual-narrative verse novel following two teens connected by loss who are being haunted by their past.
The Day Before - A verse novel chronicling 24 hours in the life of a teen girl who meets a mysterious boy on the beach while facing a life-changing event.
Falling for You - A story about a girl who finds solace in poetry while navigating an abusive relationship and family troubles.
It's Raining Cupcakes - A middle-grade novel about a girl who enters a baking contest while helping her mother open a cupcake shop.
Sprinkles and Secrets - The companion novel to It's Raining Cupcakes, following a different character pursuing her dreams of acting.
The Bridge from Me to You - A combination of verse and prose narrative about a girl who moves to a small town and falls for a football player questioning his future.
All We Have Is Now - A story about two homeless teens who spend what might be their last day alive helping others, as an asteroid approaches Earth.
My Secret Guide to Paris - A middle-grade novel about a girl who follows her late grandmother's scavenger hunt through Paris.
👥 Similar authors
Sarah Dessen writes contemporary young adult novels focusing on teenage relationships and personal growth. Her books feature internal character development and emotional depth similar to Schroeder's verse novels.
Ellen Hopkins writes verse novels dealing with difficult topics and complex family dynamics. Her work shares the poetic format and introspective nature found in Schroeder's writing.
Patricia McCormick creates stories about young people facing challenging circumstances and searching for identity. Her books blend serious themes with moments of hope, comparable to Schroeder's narrative approach.
Sonya Sones specializes in verse novels for young adults exploring relationships and coming-of-age experiences. Her writing style uses spare language and emotional resonance like Schroeder's work.
Gayle Forman writes contemporary young adult fiction examining love, loss, and life-changing decisions. Her books feature the exploration of relationships and emotional journeys that characterize Schroeder's novels.
Ellen Hopkins writes verse novels dealing with difficult topics and complex family dynamics. Her work shares the poetic format and introspective nature found in Schroeder's writing.
Patricia McCormick creates stories about young people facing challenging circumstances and searching for identity. Her books blend serious themes with moments of hope, comparable to Schroeder's narrative approach.
Sonya Sones specializes in verse novels for young adults exploring relationships and coming-of-age experiences. Her writing style uses spare language and emotional resonance like Schroeder's work.
Gayle Forman writes contemporary young adult fiction examining love, loss, and life-changing decisions. Her books feature the exploration of relationships and emotional journeys that characterize Schroeder's novels.