Reviews

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

stephxsu's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. I wasn't expected to be so moved by this short, poem-filled novel. Containing poems interspersed with short narrative chapters, we get surprising insight into all of the characters who write and perform their poems. It's a little idealistic, maybe, but I was inspired by the idea that poetry could bring a whole classroom full of different, biased, and damaged students together. A very powerful read.

monica716's review against another edition

5.0

Quick, beautiful read that encourages youth poetic expression—a great accompaniment to a Harlem Renaissance unit. Looking forward to teaching it!

kylenorthington's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

tyrakristinaa's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

dblanch's review against another edition

emotional inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

selodish's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

another_reader754's review against another edition

5.0

The end of this book felt like icing on a cake.

mbrandmaier's review against another edition

4.0

I'm not into poetry but I really enjoyed this book in which teens of varying backgrounds bond over "Open Mike Fridays" in their English class. All the teens in the group learn things they would have never guessed about their classmates. Each classmate has a chapter or two and there is a poem between each chapter.

maryehavens's review against another edition

4.0

I liked all the different voices and, since I listened to it, I could really "hear" the difference in the voices. I have to admit that I had concentrate really hard to the poems otherwise they would go by and I would have no clue what I just listened to.
This book reminded me a lot of Teenage Diaries except that it was fiction. I had to remind myself of that because of the authenticity that Grimes gave each voice.

reading_rachel's review against another edition

4.0

Following a handful of teens through an urban high school, Nikki Grimes gives voices to some great characters. They deal with tough stuff that a lot of kids can relate to, and I think this would be a great book to use in the classroom.