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mswrightwright's review against another edition
5.0
I truly enjoyed this book. Grimes did a wonderful job demonstrating how poetry gives voice, hope, and healing as these teens from different backgrounds become friends through the written and spoke word.
I loved learning about each characters stories and their discovery of limited their own worldview is in respect to the struggle of each other and how they are changed by that knowledge. I loved seeing how they told it through poetry.
I am passing it on to my daughter who writes poems and stories because it is a great read and I think it will help her as a writer.
Favorite quotes:
“Because poetry, more than anything else, will teach you about the power of words.“ —Mr. Winston p. 5
“ A poem that is not true is simply a manipulation of beauty.“ —Li p.109
“ He’s right. If I can put words together in a way that can make somebody tremble inside, or cry, or maybe even clench their fists long enough to feel their anger, then let it go – that’s a good thing, a good tool. I just have to be careful how to use it.” -Darrian p. 105
“ So why am I going crazy, shaving off pieces of myself, trying to fit in? Nobody fits in. We’re all separate pieces stitched together with words and friendship mostly, and somehow, it works. Maybe that’s what being American is about – being different, standing out, but standing together. —Val p.197
I loved learning about each characters stories and their discovery of limited their own worldview is in respect to the struggle of each other and how they are changed by that knowledge. I loved seeing how they told it through poetry.
I am passing it on to my daughter who writes poems and stories because it is a great read and I think it will help her as a writer.
Favorite quotes:
“Because poetry, more than anything else, will teach you about the power of words.“ —Mr. Winston p. 5
“ A poem that is not true is simply a manipulation of beauty.“ —Li p.109
“ He’s right. If I can put words together in a way that can make somebody tremble inside, or cry, or maybe even clench their fists long enough to feel their anger, then let it go – that’s a good thing, a good tool. I just have to be careful how to use it.” -Darrian p. 105
“ So why am I going crazy, shaving off pieces of myself, trying to fit in? Nobody fits in. We’re all separate pieces stitched together with words and friendship mostly, and somehow, it works. Maybe that’s what being American is about – being different, standing out, but standing together. —Val p.197
auntbreesqreads's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to KidLitExchange and the publisher for a chance to read the ARC for free so that I could provide an honest review. As I said when I reviewed Bronx Masquerade, I'm not much of a poetry reader since I have zero internal rhythm but having the context for each made it easier I think. I actually tried reading some of the poems aloud which helped on some poems and not on others. Again, maybe this is a reason to have poetry readings/slams in schools. I think I had one teacher in all of high school even do a topic on poems honestly.
Here are some quotes that are based on the UNCORRECTED text I read:
"Words are powerful but sometimes words have a limit." I feel this so deeply. every time someone I love loses someone they love or a client is getting screwed by some arbitrary law.
"Maybe that's what being an American is about - being different, standing out, but standing together."
Here are some quotes that are based on the UNCORRECTED text I read:
"Words are powerful but sometimes words have a limit." I feel this so deeply. every time someone I love loses someone they love or a client is getting screwed by some arbitrary law.
"Maybe that's what being an American is about - being different, standing out, but standing together."
lizbtc's review against another edition
4.0
A companion to Bronx Masquerade and I have to admit, I don't remember if I read Bronx Masquerade. So, this passes the "stand alone" test.
i listened to the audio, which used multiple narrators for the multiple teens telling their stories. What they have in common? The same high school English teacher, writing poetry and getting ready for a poetry slam.
I enjoy these types of books: different people telling the story, with their different perspectives. There's always one you identify with a bit more than others, one you learn more from than others.
I'll say this is less about poetry and more about connection, communication, and connections -- letting people in. It's about learning about oneself and about people you think you know, but don't.
The two who stuck with me the most: Genesis, a foster child, whose future is uncertain (or, rather, certain: she's by herself and about to age out of the foster system). Marcel, whose family was fractured when his father was arrested on a trumped up charge.
i listened to the audio, which used multiple narrators for the multiple teens telling their stories. What they have in common? The same high school English teacher, writing poetry and getting ready for a poetry slam.
I enjoy these types of books: different people telling the story, with their different perspectives. There's always one you identify with a bit more than others, one you learn more from than others.
I'll say this is less about poetry and more about connection, communication, and connections -- letting people in. It's about learning about oneself and about people you think you know, but don't.
The two who stuck with me the most: Genesis, a foster child, whose future is uncertain (or, rather, certain: she's by herself and about to age out of the foster system). Marcel, whose family was fractured when his father was arrested on a trumped up charge.
agettler24's review against another edition
5.0
High School Teachers read this! What a beautiful way to support students.
andeez's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't read Brox Masquerade, so my introduction to this poetry class is brand new. I liked the diversity of the characters and I think students will identify with their situations.
I love Nikki Grimes poetry and the story flows from her lyrics. I just gave the book to a 7th grader who loves poetry. I'm excited to hear his review.
I love Nikki Grimes poetry and the story flows from her lyrics. I just gave the book to a 7th grader who loves poetry. I'm excited to hear his review.
clairebarfield's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the
review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
I truly LOVED this book. I read Bronx Masquerade first but the two books could be read alone, if you wanted to. I love the multiple perspectives of the book and the way that Nikki Grimes helps readers to remember what each character struggles with. It is a great story to convey the message that everyone has difficulty in life and the support from peers is incredibly important. The students are brutally honest in both their prose text sections and their open-mike poems. It’s an emotional journey for each of the narrators as they start to connect with one another and find common ground.
I wish every middle school and high school student and teacher could read this book! As a teacher, it inspires me to be better and more receptive of my students’ feelings and emotions. It’s a quick read and worth the time!
review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
I truly LOVED this book. I read Bronx Masquerade first but the two books could be read alone, if you wanted to. I love the multiple perspectives of the book and the way that Nikki Grimes helps readers to remember what each character struggles with. It is a great story to convey the message that everyone has difficulty in life and the support from peers is incredibly important. The students are brutally honest in both their prose text sections and their open-mike poems. It’s an emotional journey for each of the narrators as they start to connect with one another and find common ground.
I wish every middle school and high school student and teacher could read this book! As a teacher, it inspires me to be better and more receptive of my students’ feelings and emotions. It’s a quick read and worth the time!
bekah694's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
_rowenaravenclaw_'s review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this one more than the original. I felt like the style of writing flowed and the message that she was wanting to get across with a few of her characters made it. Nikki Grimes also put herself out there by showing us that she was in foster care and that some of the things that were happening with her characters were things that she had to deal with as a young adult herself. Having the author get that personal in a story always boosts the rating of the book for me because I feel like the authors heart and soul went into it.
miam18427's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was such a quick read, I finished it in just a little over 3 days! There wasn’t much of a plot, but I actually liked the way the book flowed. The characters were very very likable; I loved that it switched povs. My favorite characters were probably Li and Freddie, but I liked them all. I overall give this book a 3.5/5 stars. It was super fun to read but I wish it was a bit longer. I wish we got to learn more about the characters and see how they grow.
lalalily17's review
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book might be in my top 5 favorites, top 10 at least. The characters are so diverse and well written and the poetry is stunning and thought provoking.