This week, we turn our attention from poetic forms to subjects. Mentor poet Rajani LaRocca joins us with a challenge to write about names. 

What’s in a Name?

Names are important in the real world and in fiction. When I write, I do a lot of research when I’m trying to choose character names. In verse novels in particular, the way that characters think about their names can reveal important aspects of who they are.

Consider these poems from Red, White, and Whole:

And these poems from Mirror to Mirror:

Think about what each of these poems reveals about the characters. How do they feel about their names—are they something to be proud of, burdens, calls to action, or something else?

Now consider this writing prompt:

Choose a name that means something to you—it could be your own, or the name of someone close to you. Take five minutes and write a poem about what that name means, and what it means to you.

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers. Her middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole, is the winner of the 2022 Walter Dean Myers Award and a 2022 John Newbery Honor. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she’s an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. Learn more about her at www.RajaniLaRocca.com.

Note from Kate: Teachers Write has always been and will always be free, but it does take many hours of work from me and our guest authors. Please say thanks by buying our books!