Staff Picks
Read All About It: Nikki Grimes
- Heather M.
- Friday, August 21, 2020
Collection
Born and raised in New York City, Nikki Grimes has earned several accolades for her writing and poetry. Ms. Grimes has said that reading and writing helped her get through her darkest times as a child. Helping children process grief through stories is a significant part of her writing. She wants children to see themselves in literature.
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Almost Zero
A Dyamonde Daniel Book
Published in 2010
Dyamonde is angry at her mother for not buying her the shoes she wants, but when she finds out that a classmate is in a worse situation, she is determined to help.
At Jerusalem's Gate
Poems of Easter
Published in 2005
A collection of poems which tells the story of the first Easter.
At the Break of Day
Published in 1995
A retelling of the Biblical creation story with Jesus helping God with the creation of all the world, the animals and of Adam and Eve, and finally resting on the seventh day.
Bronx Masquerade
Published in 2009
While studying the Harlem Renaissance, students at a Bronx high school read aloud poems they've written, revealing their innermost thoughts and fears to their formerly clueless classmates.
Bronx Masquerade
Published in 2002
While studying the Harlem Renaissance, students at a Bronx high school read aloud poems they've written, revealing their innermost thoughts and fears to their formerly clueless classmates.
"C" is for City
Published in 1995
Rhyming verses describe different aspects of life in a city, featuring each letter of the alphabet.
Danitra Brown, Class Clown
Published in 2005
In this story told in a series of rhyming poems, Zuri faces her fears about starting a new school year with the help of free-spirited best friend, Danitra.
Danitra Brown Leaves Town
Published in 2002
Recounts, in a series of poems and letters, Danitra's summer at her aunt's house in the country and her best friend Zuri's summer at home in town.
Dark Sons
Published in 2005
Alternating poems compare and contrast the conflicted feelings of Ishmael, son of the Biblical patriarch Abraham, and Sam, a teenager in New York City, as they try to come to terms with being abandoned by their fathers and with the love they feel for their younger stepbrothers.
Dark Sons
Published in 2010
In this winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor, bestselling and award-winning author Nikki Grimes uses free-verse poetry to powerfully tell the story of two boys, living in different times and lands, who both struggle with their faith as they watch their families fall apart. Sam's father was always a strong Christian, and so when his dad leaves Sam and his mom for another woman, and then announces his new wife is pregnant, Sam feels abandoned-even by God. Ishmael knows he's the first son of Abraham, and feels cherished by his father because of this position. But when visitors tell Abraham and his cruel wife, Sarah, that the real promised child will arrive soon, Ishmael is worried-and when Isaac arrives, Abraham becomes distant. Even Abraham's God seems to be leaving Ishmael behind. Sam and Ishmael's stories and strong poetic voices connect to create a powerful narrative structure in Grimes' story of faith, heartache, and forgiveness.
Dark Sons
Published in 2010
This Coretta Scott King Honor book for young adults from bestselling and award-winning author Nikki Grimes uses free-verse poetry to tell the dual stories of Sam, a teen whose dad leaves him and his mother for another woman, and Ishmael, the son of Abraham, who must deal with a different type of rejection when Isaac arrives.
A Dime a Dozen
Published in 1998
A collection of poems about an African-American girl growing up in New York.
Garvey's Choice
Published in 2016
Garvey’s father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading—anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also obese, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey’s life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, and a way to finally reach his distant father—by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports. This emotionally resonant novel in verse by award-winning author Nikki Grimes celebrates choosing to be true to yourself.
A Girl Named Mister
Published in 2010
Nikki Grimes, a bestselling author known for titles such as Dark Sons, Barak Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, and Voices of Christmas has written a gripping book from the perspective of a girl named Mister (Mary Rudine) who finds herself momentarily distracted from her faith commitment to purity by a handsome boy named Trey. After one night of weakness, Mister finds her entire life has changed, even if she can't yet accept all the changes occurring within her are real. When the emotional scars of losing her innocence are more lasting than she imagined, Mister turns to a book of her mother's, which contains poems from Mary's perspective. As both Mister and Mary's voices play out in the story, a full and meaningful portrait of Christian faith, trust, and forgiveness emerges, along with the truth that God can use even the most unplanned events in our lives for his greater glory.
A Girl Named Mister
Published in 2010
A pregnant teenager finds support and forgiveness from God through a book of poetry presented from the Virgin Mary's perspective.
Halfway to Perfect
A Dyamonde Daniel Book
Published in 2012
Despite what Dyamonde and Free say, Damaria worries that she is getting fat, until a classmate's problem with diabetes causes her to change her thoughts about body image.
Hopscotch Love
A Family Treasury of Love Poems
Published in 1999
A collection of more than twenty poems speaking of different kinds of love.
Is It Far to Zanzibar?
Poems About Tanzania
Published in 2000
Over a dozen poems with some aspect of the African country of Tanzania as a theme.
It's Raining Laughter
Published in 1997
A collection of poems about children growing up, illustrated with photographs of African American children.
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
Published in 2009
Spunky third-grader Dyamonde Daniel misses her old neighborhood, but when she befriends a boy named Free, another new student at school, she finally starts to feel at home.
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
Published in 2010
Dyamonde has just moved to a new school, and she's impatient for a best friend. Then Free shows up, and there's an even newer kid in class. Unfortunately, Free doesn't want to be friends. In fact, he's downright grouchy. Dyamonde is determined to find out what's bothering him. And when Dyamonde Daniel decides to do something, it usually gets done!
My Man Blue
Poems
Published in 1999
A collection of poems describes a young boy's life with his working mother as he establishes his own identity and develops a close relationship with his mother's friend, Blue.
Oh, Brother!
Published in 2008
Xavier is unhappy when his mother remarries and he suddenly has a new stepbrother, as well as a stepfather, in his home.
One Last Word
Published in 2017
"One Last Word is the work of a master poet." —Kwame Alexander, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Crossover From the New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes an emotional, special new collection of poetry inspired by the Harlem Renaissance—paired with full-color, original art from today's most exciting African-American illustrators. Inspired by the writers of the Harlem Renaissance, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses "The Golden Shovel" poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of master poets like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Jean Toomer, and others who enriched history during this era. Each poem is paired with one-of-a-kind art from today's most exciting African American illustrators—including Pat Cummings, Brian Pinkney, Sean Qualls, James Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, and many more—to create an emotional and thought-provoking book with timely themes for today's readers. A foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, poet biographies, and index makes this not only a book to cherish, but a wonderful resource and reference as well. A 2017 New York Public Library Best Kids Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2017, Middle Grade A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017, Nonfiction
Planet Middle School
Published in 2011
A series of poems describes all the baffling changes at home and at school in twelve-year-old Joylin's transition from tomboy basketball player to not-quite-girly girl.
A Pocketful of Poems
Published in 2001
Poems and haiku verses provides glimpses of life in the city.
Rich
A Dyamonde Daniel Book
Published in 2009
Free is excited about a local poetry contest because of its cash prize, but when he and Dyamonde befriend a classmate who is homeless and living in a shelter, they rethink what it means to be rich or poor.
Rich a Dyamonde Daniel Book
Published in 2010
Dyamonde Daniel's best friend, Free, thinks he's poor. So when their teacher announces a big poetry contest, Free decides to enter - partly because he likes to rhyme, partly because he wants to be famous, but mostly because of the hundred dollar prize. Soon he's driving Dyamonde nuts with his crazy rhymes.|Free is not the only kid in class who's planning to enter the contest. So is Damaris Dancer, a quiet girl who is also bit mysterious. Naturally, Dyamonde sets out to learn the girl's secret. The question is, once you know someone's secret, what do you do with it?|How Dyamonde manages to weave a new friendship with an old one, and help both her friends find out important things about themselves, makes for another tremendously satisfying story about this city girl with a heart as big as all outdoors.Author Nikki Grimes returns with another deeply satisfying story for younger listeners. In this volume, this one featuring a poetry contest and a new classmate with a secret.
The Road to Paris
Published in 2006
Inconsolable at being separated from her older brother, eight-year-old Paris is apprehensive about her new foster family but just as she learns to trust them, she faces a life-changing decision.
Shoe Magic
Published in 2000
Poems describe the different shoes children wear, including sandals, running shoes, golf shoes, and workboots.
Talkin' About Bessie
The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman
Published in 2002
A biography of the first licensed female African American pilot.
Thanks a Million
Published in 2006
What makes you thankful? A book? Weekends? Your family? How do you say thanks? With a flower? With a chocolate bar? With a surprise? In sixteen extraordinary poems that range in form from a haiku to a rebus to a riddle, Nikki Grimes reminds us how wonderful it is to feel thankful, and how powerful a simple "thank you" can be.
Voices of Christmas
Published in 2009
Step into the shoes of Mary, Joseph, the Innkeeper, Elizabeth, the Shepherds, and more as we poetically recount the wonder of the birth of Jesus through the eyes of those who were witness.
Welcome, Precious
Published in 2006
Illustrations and text welcome a new baby to some of life's delights, from "the glistening mystery of soap bubbles" to "the swish of leaves in the breeze."
What is Goodbye?
Published in 2004
Alternating poems by a brother and sister convey their feelings about the death of their older brother and the impact it had on their family.
Words with Wings
Published in 2013
Gabby daydreams to tune out her parents' arguments, but when her parents divorce and she begins a new school, daydreaming gets her into trouble. Her mother scolds her for it, her teacher keeps telling her to pay attention, and the other kids tease her...until she finds a friend who also daydreams and her teacher decides to work a daydreaming-writing session into every school day. With a notebook "thick with daydreams," Gabby grows more confident about herself and her future. This verse novel poignantly celebrates the power of writing and the inspiration a good teacher can deliver.
Words with Wings
Published in 2014
Gaby daydreams to tune out her parents' arguments, but when her parents divorce and she begins a new school, daydreaming gets her into trouble. Her mother scolds her for it, her teacher keeps telling her to pay attention, and the other kids tease her...until she finds a friend who also daydreams and her teacher decides to work a daydreaming-writing session into every school day. With a notebook "thick with daydreams," Gaby grows more confident about herself and her future. This verse novel poignantly celebrates the power of writing and the inspiration a good teacher can deliver.
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures
Published in 2018
A beloved and very sleepy little boy resists his mother's efforts to put him to bed.
Between the Lines
Published in 2018
A group of nine high school students grow in understanding of each other's challenges and forge unexpected connections as they prepare for a boys vs. girls poetry slam. Includes author's note about foster home care.
Chasing Freedom
The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, Inspired by Historical Facts
Published in 2015
In this imaginative biographical story, Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony sit down over a cup of tea in 1904 to reminisce about their struggles and triumphs in the service of freedom and women's rights.
Garvey's Choice
Published in 2016
Preferring science and reading to the sports his father wants him to play, Garvey comforts himself with food and endures bullying before joining the school chorus, where he learns how to accept himself and bond with his father.
Kamala Harris
Rooted in Justice
Published in 2020
"The first-ever picture book biography on Senator Kamala Harris"-- Provided by publisher.
Ordinary Hazards
A Memoir
Published in 2019
"Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by those she trusted. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic and impact of writing. For many years, Nikki's notebooks were her most enduing companions. In this accessible and inspiring memoir that will resonate with young readers and adults alike, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of her life"--Amazon.
Poems in the Attic
Published in 2015
A young girl learns much about her mother as she reads a collection of poems written before she was born that capture her mother's memories of living around the world and growing up as a child of an Air Force serviceperson. Includes author's note, list of select U.S. Air Force bases, and explanation of the free verse and tanka poetry forms used.
Southwest Sunrise
Published in 2020
Jayden expects to see nothing but brown his first morning in New Mexico, but after being surprised by colorful rocks, flowers, birds, and animals, he wonders if this place could become home.
The Watcher
Published in 2017
A poetic story inspired by Psalm 121. Jordan lives in fear of Tanya, the class bully. But Tanya has worries of her own, no matter how much she tries to ignore them. It seems impossible that Jordan and Tanya could be anything other than enemies, but the Lord is watching over them, guiding each of them along a path that might just help them to understand one another.
Almost Zero a Dyamonde Daniel Book
Published in 2013
Dyamonde Daniel has her eye on a new pair of red high-top sneakers. Following some bad advice from a classmate, she thinks she has the right idea to go about getting them - by demanding her mother buy them! Unfortunately for Dyamonde, Mrs. Daniel doesn't appreciate being told what to do and decides to teach her daughter a lesson. Soon Dyamonde finds herself in a clothing crisis, with almost zero to wear!|Dyamonde is furious. But she begins to realize that some people have troubles much greater than hers . . . including her friend, Isabel Martinez, whose family has suffered a real crisis. Deciding she must she must help the Martinez family, Dyamonde enlists the aid of everyone she knows to do so.|Witty and endearing, this heart-warming tale - read by Nikki Grimes herself - beautifully displays the difference between "wanting" and "needing."
Barack Obama
Published in 2009
Ever since Barack Obama was young, Hope has lived inside him. From the beaches of Hawaii to the streets of Chicago, from the jungles of Indonesia to the plains of Kenya, he has held on to Hope. Even as a boy, Barack knew he wasn't quite like anybody else, but through his journeys, he found the ability to listen to Hope and become what he was meant to be, a bridge to bring people together. This is the moving story of our 44th President. Barack Obama has motivated Americans to believe with him, to believe that every one of us has the power to change ourselves and change our world.
Halfway to Perfect
Published in 2013
When Dyamonde Daniel's friend Damaris suddenly becomes a picky eater, it doesn't take Dyamonde long to figure out the problem: Damaris is secretly dieting because some mean girls teased her about her weight. Dyamonde can't let her friend go on this way. But how can she make Damaris see that she is perfect just the way she is?|It turns out Damaris isn't the only one in their class facing this problem. A girl named Amberline is also being picked on the same way. Soon Dyamonde and Damaris discover that Amberline has a secret . . . a serious one.|Once again award-winning author Nikki Grimes tackles an important topic. Narrating herself, Nikki's warm and friendly voice enriches this delightful addition to her Dyamonde Daniel series with a combination of heart and humor that will engage young listeners from the very first words.