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A review by bookdragon217
Garvey in the Dark by Nikki Grimes
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Garvey in the Dark by Nikki Grimes is a beautiful novel in verse about the early time period of COVID pandemic and other events that transpired. The story is told from Garvey's point of view. Garvey is an introvert who loves to escape into books, loves to sing and play guitar with his dad. The story unfolds as the country is about to go into lockdown and the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd transpire a few mo the later.
Through Garvey's eyes you experience all the anxiety and uncertainty of not knowing when the world would be "normal" again. He worries about the mental and physical toll the pandemic is taking on his parents. You work through Garvey's sadness about constantly seeing death news, worrying about other kids having food to eat, and always being on edge when seeing police because he's a Black boy. This was a quick and powerful read that left me reflecting on the pandemic era and the ways that we are still feeling the long lasting mental effects. This book did make me cry but it also left me hopeful because of the little moments of joy and caring for others that Grimes sprinkled throughout the story. This would make a perfect read for parents and educators to use with children to process some of the anxiety of living through COVID and adjusting to life during lockdown.
This book had so much depth and I am still thinking about:
🎸 the mental and physical decline of essential workers, especially teachers and nurses
🎸 the ways adults have to suppress their own anxieties and fears to make children/students feel safe
🎸 how Black people don't have safety in daily life
🎸 the economic disparities and how marginalized communities were affected the most by COVID
🎸 how social connections changed during lockdown
🎸 the lasting education deficits in Black and Brown communities post-COVID
🎸 how daily confrontation with death affects both adults and children
🎸 the rise in anxiety and depression in students
Overall, this story contains gorgeous, thought-provoking prose and is a necessary addition to home and classroom libraries. It will break your heart in the most touching ways but it will also leave you feeling hopeful, show you the power of community and the importance of having faith and engaging in activism. Love is clearly the message and it is definitely what sustained until the end. Thank you @goodreads @astrakidsbooks for the giveaway win.
Through Garvey's eyes you experience all the anxiety and uncertainty of not knowing when the world would be "normal" again. He worries about the mental and physical toll the pandemic is taking on his parents. You work through Garvey's sadness about constantly seeing death news, worrying about other kids having food to eat, and always being on edge when seeing police because he's a Black boy. This was a quick and powerful read that left me reflecting on the pandemic era and the ways that we are still feeling the long lasting mental effects. This book did make me cry but it also left me hopeful because of the little moments of joy and caring for others that Grimes sprinkled throughout the story. This would make a perfect read for parents and educators to use with children to process some of the anxiety of living through COVID and adjusting to life during lockdown.
This book had so much depth and I am still thinking about:
🎸 the mental and physical decline of essential workers, especially teachers and nurses
🎸 the ways adults have to suppress their own anxieties and fears to make children/students feel safe
🎸 how Black people don't have safety in daily life
🎸 the economic disparities and how marginalized communities were affected the most by COVID
🎸 how social connections changed during lockdown
🎸 the lasting education deficits in Black and Brown communities post-COVID
🎸 how daily confrontation with death affects both adults and children
🎸 the rise in anxiety and depression in students
Overall, this story contains gorgeous, thought-provoking prose and is a necessary addition to home and classroom libraries. It will break your heart in the most touching ways but it will also leave you feeling hopeful, show you the power of community and the importance of having faith and engaging in activism. Love is clearly the message and it is definitely what sustained until the end. Thank you @goodreads @astrakidsbooks for the giveaway win.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Police brutality