Jinx

Margaret Wild's 2001 verse novel follows Jen, who calls herself 'Jinx' after two consecutive boyfriends die, through grief, isolation, and slow recovery. Told entirely in interconnected poems of varying lengths, it builds a portrait of a young woman finding her way back through a diverse, carefully drawn cast of supporting characters. Publishers Weekly praised its 'intricate, vivid language' and noted the poems together create something larger than their parts. This is emotionally heavy material — two teenage deaths, depression, and a lesbian character — and it's not for younger teens or readers who prefer lighter fare. But for older teen readers sitting with grief or identity questions, the verse format handles hard things with real restraint and compassion. A thoughtful, quietly affecting debut.