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middle_name_joy's review against another edition
4.0
Spunky Dyamonde Daniel, pronounced diamond, has just moved to Washington Heights from Brooklyn following her parents’ divorce, but she is not the newest kid on the block: that distinction belongs to Free, the Rude Boy who grunts at people and scowls all the time at school. Free is a far cry from Dyamonde’s best friend from her old neighborhood, Alisha. Free is a bully who picks on kids younger than him and is even defiant to teachers—and for no reason!
But, there is more to uncover about Free, and Dyamonde makes it her mission to figure him out! She simultaneously stands up and reaches out to Free, and soon they discover that they have a lot in common: they have both been teased about their names, they are both smart. Above all, they learn that everyone has their own burdens and that you have to get to know people before you judge them. Listening and finding common ground is how friends are made, and friends is exactly what Dyamonde and Free become.
When I first read Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, I was thrilled to have found an early chapter book that depicted a strong female character who was not formed from the white, suburban, cookie-cutter mold that produces so many young heroines at this level of fiction. The reality that Dyamonde is black is not trumpeted, but rather is a simple fact of her identity.
Dyamonde deals with issues real children might encounter, such as her parents’ divorce and subsequent life in a single-parent household as a latch-key kid, and peer relationships and bullying at school. I appreciated that the novel did not shy away from such serious issues, but it also did not dwell on them unnecessarily, leaving room for hope and the opportunity for good choices to be made by all the characters.
Now I am using this great book as the subject of a novel study with my second grade small group. I finished the whole packet, including vocabulary and discussion questions for each chapter, and even project-based assessments. I can't wait to get started implementing it with the students on Tuesday!
But, there is more to uncover about Free, and Dyamonde makes it her mission to figure him out! She simultaneously stands up and reaches out to Free, and soon they discover that they have a lot in common: they have both been teased about their names, they are both smart. Above all, they learn that everyone has their own burdens and that you have to get to know people before you judge them. Listening and finding common ground is how friends are made, and friends is exactly what Dyamonde and Free become.
When I first read Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, I was thrilled to have found an early chapter book that depicted a strong female character who was not formed from the white, suburban, cookie-cutter mold that produces so many young heroines at this level of fiction. The reality that Dyamonde is black is not trumpeted, but rather is a simple fact of her identity.
Dyamonde deals with issues real children might encounter, such as her parents’ divorce and subsequent life in a single-parent household as a latch-key kid, and peer relationships and bullying at school. I appreciated that the novel did not shy away from such serious issues, but it also did not dwell on them unnecessarily, leaving room for hope and the opportunity for good choices to be made by all the characters.
Now I am using this great book as the subject of a novel study with my second grade small group. I finished the whole packet, including vocabulary and discussion questions for each chapter, and even project-based assessments. I can't wait to get started implementing it with the students on Tuesday!
kdekoster's review against another edition
3.0
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel is the first in a series of early chapter books featuring - who else? - Dyamonde Daniel. Dyamonde is the kind of kiddo that we would love more of our young students to look up to. She's proud of her smarts, stands up to (and then befriends!) the sulky new kid, and has a sense of humor that will make early readers laugh out loud.
The illustrations throughout only added to this enjoyable reading experience. As Dyamonde is a third grader herself, her series seems perfect for younger elementary schoolers.
The illustrations throughout only added to this enjoyable reading experience. As Dyamonde is a third grader herself, her series seems perfect for younger elementary schoolers.
knoonan's review against another edition
5.0
Dyamonde is newish at school. A new boy, Free, starts at school and is cranky all the time. She calls him on it and they become friends.
chelsearae1988's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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