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howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how this book was a mash-up of poetry and narrative. The characters were developed just enough to have dimension without being too involved or hard to keep track of. It was a very moving story that makes me wish I could re-live my high school years in this environment.
elizabethseebee's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend! A powerful and eye-opening read, you really don't know what others (especially teens) are going through in their lives...
looniemoon14's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
hollowspine's review against another edition
3.0
This book alternates in chapters between the different perspectives of students in a poetry writing class. The main character, Darrian, has grown up reading newspapers with his father and has a dream of becoming a writer for the New York Times, especially so that he can write stories that feature more people like him, people of color, people like his dad who work multiple jobs to make sure their families have enough, people who are often all too invisible.
Over the course of the novel Darrian gets to know his classmates through their poetry, and bonding over shared experiences, though what he sees on the outside isn't always what readers discover once we start reading the perspective of that student. Each chapter alternates between one of the characters and ends in a poem, written in that character's style. As the students start to trust each other and the space they've created in the poetry class, they start to reveal aspects of their home lives.
Grimes writes with wisdom and heart and each character represents a realistic situation that will resonate with readers in similar situations. The characters are dealing with parents who are addicts, or are distant or abusive. One character is in the foster care system and not only has never felt like she belonged in any of the homes she's stayed in, but has anxiety about where she'll end up when she turns 18 and has no where to stay and no support. One of the young men misses his dad, even though his dad is at home, but since his dad was falsely arrested he's never been the same.
CHS - Sept. 2018 (1 request)
Over the course of the novel Darrian gets to know his classmates through their poetry, and bonding over shared experiences, though what he sees on the outside isn't always what readers discover once we start reading the perspective of that student. Each chapter alternates between one of the characters and ends in a poem, written in that character's style. As the students start to trust each other and the space they've created in the poetry class, they start to reveal aspects of their home lives.
Grimes writes with wisdom and heart and each character represents a realistic situation that will resonate with readers in similar situations. The characters are dealing with parents who are addicts, or are distant or abusive. One character is in the foster care system and not only has never felt like she belonged in any of the homes she's stayed in, but has anxiety about where she'll end up when she turns 18 and has no where to stay and no support. One of the young men misses his dad, even though his dad is at home, but since his dad was falsely arrested he's never been the same.
CHS - Sept. 2018 (1 request)
wylaina's review against another edition
5.0
Poetry and narrative fiction. Own Voices as it pertains to foster care.
allbookedup4's review against another edition
5.0
Always love reading anything by Nikki Grimes. Meeting these kids and hearing their stories, especially Jenesis, will really touch you.
libraryleopard's review against another edition
Was this a perfect novel? No. There was a lot of summary and the combination of very short chapters + tons of POVs sometimes confused me.
However, I loved reading about these characters finding their self-worth and voices through poetry. This book also tackles a lot of important issues like the foster care system, immigration, and the way the War on Drugs unfairly affects people of color in a way that felt naturally worked into the character's lives. The character's voices also felt more distinguishable than the first book, which I appreciated. I also think this book had some better emotional payoff at the final poetry slam than the first one did–there's several plot lines that all converge and pay off, rather than the novel just ending. (I would have like to see more of the actual poetry slam, though.) Overall, I would recommend!
However, I loved reading about these characters finding their self-worth and voices through poetry. This book also tackles a lot of important issues like the foster care system, immigration, and the way the War on Drugs unfairly affects people of color in a way that felt naturally worked into the character's lives. The character's voices also felt more distinguishable than the first book, which I appreciated. I also think this book had some better emotional payoff at the final poetry slam than the first one did–there's several plot lines that all converge and pay off, rather than the novel just ending. (I would have like to see more of the actual poetry slam, though.) Overall, I would recommend!
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