Children’s / Teenage: Poetry / poems

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Book SynopsisRita Gray has compiled twenty poems about precipitation, each written by well-known poets such as Kyoshi, Eve Merriam, Lilian Moore, and Carl Sandburg. Divided into poems written about rain within each of the four seasons, this compilation offers the reader a chance to revel in the beauty of precipitation and the poetry it inspires. The variety of poems opens the door for discussion of poetic styles, while Ryan O'Rourke's playful yet sophisticated illustrations will appeal to readers of all ages.

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Book SynopsisChildren’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and the inimitable Jane Yolen team up in this ironic and witty take on the last moments in the lives of a variety of animals. Each satirical poem in this darkly humorous collection is an epitaph of a different animal. Grouped by animal type, these posthumous poems are full of clever wordplay and macabre humor that will appeal to kids (and adults) of all ages. From the humble chicken to the great blue whale, this laugh-out-loud poetry collection is sure to be a hit at storytimes and around Halloween.

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Book SynopsisExperienced birder Sallie Wolfe provides a peek into her creative process, sharing notes, verses, sketches, and paintings from her own notebooks. A beautiful blend of factual information and creative inspiration offers birders and artists alike a giftable collection of poetry, a compact guide, and an invitation to journal. At first glance, The Robin Makes a Laughing Sound centers on bird identification and behavior. But look more carefully: journaling helps us observe, think evaluate record, and create.Sallie's words capture the light of early spring when robins return to newly budding trees, list the species that come and go, note how West Nile virus affects her backyard population, and even find a rhyme for suet—there's nothing to it.

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Book SynopsisWhen a young pig watches monster movies before bed, he's in for some tail-curling nightmares! From the Phantom Hog of the Opera to the Porker from the Black Lagoon, seventeen poems put a pigmarish spin on creepy classics. Cushman's illustrations evoke retro movie posters with hog-wild humor. A perfect read for young fans of horror, budding movie buffs, and anyone who simply can't stop singing The Monster Mash! Movie Credits at the end catalogue each poem's inspiration, citing the titles, dates, authors, directors, and stars of the world's scariest stories.

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Book SynopsisThis collection of poems takes young readers to a day at an urban farmers’ market. Who to see, what to eat, and how produce is grown—it’s all so exciting, fresh, and delicious. Readers are invited to peruse the stands and inspect vendors’ wares with poems like “Farmer Greg’s Free-Range Eggs,” “Summer Checklist,” and “Necessary Mess.”Bright and vibrant, this is the perfect guide for little ones to take with them on marketing day to inspire literacy and healthy eating.A pleasing window into the world of the farmers’ market — School Library Journal, starred reviewSprightly illustrations and engaging rhymes will leave readers eager to sample market bounty — Kirkus ReviewsThis cheerful collection of verse offers an enticing introduction to farmers’ markets — Booklist

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Book SynopsisA collection of poems, written from the perspectives of six students of different ages and backgrounds, reflects the worries, hopes and successes they experience on their first day of school. By the author of Kyle''s Island.

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Book SynopsisTake a wild ride with poet Sara Holbrook as she guides young writers in performing their poetry with style and pizzazz. With enthusiasm and a touch of irreverence, Ms. Holbrook, a performance poet herself, explains how to use voice, rhythm, attitude, movement, and other techniques to perform poetry in a group, duo, or solo. More than thirty poems are included for young readers to practice, as well as instructions for putting on a poetry jam at school or in the community.Trade Review* "Guaranteed to get even confirmed classroom drones out of their seats and into an audience's face, this high-energy manual is a poetry slam-dunk. . . ." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

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Book SynopsisIt's easy to make one,lying on your back in the newest snow.You move your arms like wings.Later you forget about your creation,go inside for a mug of hot chocolate.That's when she rises from the snowtakes a feathery breath, tries out her wings.So begins a poem about making a snow angel, but it might also refer to the mysterious way that a poem comes into being and takes on a life of its own. In this new collection, Ralph Fletcher shows us how you can write a poem about almost anything: a baby sister, a Venus's-flytrap, a failing grandmother, a squished squirrel, grammar homework, and more. These poems take us inside the creative process as they reveal both the playfulness and the power of poetry. More than anything, they invite us to pick up pen and paper and write some poems of your own.Trade Review"Simple language and wide variety of moods and topics may help to get young writers off the stick." --Kirkus Reviews"Many aspiring poets will see the reflection of their own creative spirits and aspirations in this lovely collection." --School Library Journal"Sure to delight lovers of poetry and newcomers to the genre." --Library Media Connection

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Book SynopsisA poetic tribute to the victims of the racially motivated church bombing that served as a seminal event in the struggle for civil rights. In 1963, the eyes of the world were on Birmingham, Alabama, a flashpoint for the civil rights movement. Birmingham was one of the most segregated cities in the United States. Civil rights demonstrators were met with police dogs and water cannons. On Sunday, September 15, 1963, members of the Ku Klux Klan planted sticks of dynamite at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which served as a meeting place for civil rights organizers. The explosion killed four little girls. Their murders shocked the nation and turned the tide in the struggle for equality. A Jane Addams Children's Honor Book, here is a book that captures the heartbreak of that day, as seen through the eyes of a fictional witness. Archival photographs with poignant text written in free verse offer a powerful tribute to the young victims.Trade Review★ "A gorgeous memorial to the four killed on that horrible day, and to the thousands of children who braved violence to help change the world." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review★ "Filled with emotion. . . . This is a book that should be in every library collection." --Library Media Connection, starred review★ "An intimate experience. . . . An emotional read, made even more accessible and powerful by the viewpoint of the child narrator." --School Library Journal, starred review

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Book SynopsisWhat were all those fairy-tale characters thinking? Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich answer this question in paired poems, with sometimes startling results. The Princess claims all those mattresses kept her awake—not a silly pea—while the poor pea complains that the princess snores. One Snow White begs the witch to settle by the bay and throw that mirror away. Another boldly tells the mirror she "won't be guided by a glass that's so one-sided." Grumbles from the Forest is a bewitching brew of voices—grumbling, pleading, bragging, reminiscing, confiding—that bubbles with magic and wonder. The spectacular paintings that tie the poems together are full of surprise and intrigue. This stunning collection includes end notes that briefly describe the tales and their history and an introduction that invites readers to imagine their own poems from unusual perspectives.Trade Review"Yolen and Dotlich refashion 15 classic fairy tales into incisive poems told from dual perspectives. . . Mahurin's inky illustrations make theatrical use of dimension, light, and shadow as the characters bound from their expected roles." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThirteen classic poems by poets such as Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, and David McCord are paired with parodies that honor and play off of the original poems in a range of ways. For example, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is paired with "Stopping by Fridge on a Hungry Evening" to hilarious effect, whereas the combination of Emily Dickinson's "'Hope' is the thing with feathers" with Lewis's "'Grief' is the thing with tissues" is profound, and both David McCord's "This Is My Rock" and Lewis's "This Is My Tree" hum with a sense of wonder. This playful introduction to classics will inspire imagination and wonder even as it tickles funny bones.Trade Review★ "With a mix of humor, wit, and whimsy, Lewis' latest poetry collection contains classic poems paired with his original versions. The illustrations...add to the whimsy brought to the classic poems. Whether you're sharing the joys of poetry by reading it aloud, introducing readers to poetry, or demonstrating how the classics can serve as inspiration for creative writing, this collection will meet your needs. Lewis' collection belongs in every library and poetry lover's collection. Highly Recommended." -- School Library Connection, starred review"Kids bored by the usual collections of classic poems will appreciate this chuckle-worthy take, which pairs familiar verses with sometimes silly, sometimes thoughtful, always clever parodies. The varied selection of poems is well matched by Wrights multimedia illustrations...From short to long, and covering a broad scope of topics, these poems poking gentle fun at the form should find easy appeal, maybe even among kids reluctant to read poetry." -- Booklist "Poem and parody face each other, nestled in colorful illustrations...A charming introduction to the carefully selected original poems and the delightful turns of phrase they have conjured up. ...Encourages young writers to try their hand at some spoofing of their own." -- School Library Journal"Former Children's Poet Laureate Lewis gathers 13 poems, then pairs them with parodies that take the original works in unexpected directions, accompanied by Wright's smudgy, naïf artwork. Readers...may learn how writing a good (parody)...requires a solid awareness of the source material, something Lewis clearly demonstrates with his clever, funny, and visceral responses." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisHere is the library! Fifteen poems celebrate the thrill of getting your first library card, the excitement of story hour, the fun of using the computer, the pride of reading to the dog, and the joy of discovering that the librarian understands you and knows exactly which books you'll love. The poems in this engaging picture book are compiled by noted poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins.All pay homage to the marvels of books and reading. Accompanied by Jane Manning's colorful, imaginative illustrations, this collection celebrates the magic of libraries and is a must for every school and public library -- and it's ideal for anyone who loves to visit their local library, too!Trade Review"The title of this book of 15 poems will immediately grab the attention of teachers and librarians. All together, the listing of titles in the table of contents forges a lyrical look at what libraries mean to individuals. Many of the poets are well-known in children's literature, and the poems are personal and heartfelt.... The page composition and text placement add playfulness, while the gouache-and-pencil illustrations are buoyant and imaginative. Wispy backgrounds and splotches of color add ebullience. Hopkins, a master anthologist, has compiled an excellent collection... The overall effect is an endearing accolade for fellow book and library mavens." — Kirkus Reviews "This delightful illustrated collection celebrates libraries and their diverse offerings and opportunities... (e)nchanting gouache-and-pencil illustrations range from whimsical... to sweet, like cozily sharing a book à deux, snow falling outside. Honoring libraries as places and resources that can inspire joy, learning, and imagination, this is charming all around." — Booklist"Fifteen poems by writers including Nikki Grimes, J. Patrick Lewis, Alice Schertle, and Jane Yolen sing the praises of libraries and reading.... [A] quiet, focused collection, one that will certainly find a home in libraries and in the homes of those who love them." — Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisCapture the joys of reading in this amazing poetry collection! From that thrilling moment when a child first learns to decipher words, to the excitement that follows in reading everything from road signs to field guides to internet articles to stories, these poems celebrate reading. They also explore what reading does -- how it opens minds, can make you kind, and allows you to explore the whole world. Ryan O’Rourke’s rich artwork beautifully captures the imagination and playfulness in these poems by noted author Amy Ludwig VanDerwater.Trade Review"VanDerwater and O'Rourke have created a compendium of poetry that focuses on the sheer joy of reading. Twenty-three selections of varying rhyme schemes convey a world rich with emotions and experiences. Each verse is connected to relatable reading milestones, such as laughing over the Sunday comics or staying up late to read under the covers. Conversational in style, these poems provide illustrative cues that invite children to explore imagery... (f)antastical at times, O'Rourke's vivid artwork blends seamlessly with VanDerwater's text, fluctuating between bright and dark colors to suggest tone. A pleasing addition for poetry collections serving young children." -School Library Journal "Learning to read, wanting to read, daring to read—nearly every state of mastering the word is explored in VanDerwater's collection of 23 poems. Bookless? No worries. Cereal boxes, road signs, or even wildly decorated notebook paper can fill the bill for the greedy page gobbler. But if you happen to have a book...ahhhh, the sublime delight of reading under the covers way past dark (just like mom did) is unsurpassed. 'She taught me how / a story leaps / like magic / from each page. / I'm sure my mom / read past her bedtime / under blankets / at my age."' -Kirkus Reviews "Lifelong readers can relate to similar milestones: that incredible surge of excitement when letters suddenly begin to make sense...This collection of poems celebrates these experiences...Topics will resonate with school-age audiences...and the satisfying meter and rhyme schemes...make sharing enjoyable for adults. (The) illustrations...align perfectly with each selection's tone, helping young readers interpret imagery and appreciate nuances...April may be Poetry Month, but this collection is worth sharing at any time." - Booklist

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Book SynopsisSelected by noted anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins, this collection of all-new poems is written from the points of view of personality-filled punctuation marks, and is a memorable introduction to grammar for kids (adults, too!)In this land of punctuation, the exclamation mark is a superhero who tells a story chock-full of bops and bams, the comma lets you pause to enjoy the weather, and the period is where you must come to a full stop--or else the Grammar Police will get you. With humor and imagination, A Bunch of Punctuation makes it easy to remember the jobs of the various punctuation marks. Award-winning poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins has compiled a unique collection of poems featuring brand-new works by well-known poets, accompanied by inventive artwork by illustrator Serge Bloch.Trade Review“A collection of peppy poems and clever pictures explains different forms of punctuation. ‘A Punctuation Tale’ kicks off the proceedings with a punny description of a day full of punctuation…(and) ‘Question Marks’ is particularly delightful. The 12 poets included work with a variety of devices and styles for an always-fresh feel. Bloch's illustrations are delightfully surprising, both illustrating each poem's key points and playfully riffing on the punctuation itself. Both playful and enlightening, period.” - Kirkus Reviews“In this…lively volume, Hopkins showcases poems about punctuation. From commas to periods and every dash in between, kids' favorite marks are sure to find the spotlight at least once. Bloch's illustrations…aid in illuminating meaning…(T)his collection has great potential as a teaching tool.” - School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisThis book is sure to capture the imaginations of young readers. A charmingly illustrated poem by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins takes us on a journey that features magical transformations and makes a nautical adventure out of the act of reading. The interplay between the pictures and the poetry dramatizes how reading can transport us from our own familiar world into the fantastic world of a book. The boy in the boat stands for every reader and every child. Billy Collins is the author of a dozen books of poetry and was called America's most popular poet by the New York Times. He served as U. S. Poet Laureate 2001-2003, and the New York Public Library named him a Literary Lion. This is his first book designed for children.Karen loves the ocean so much that as a little girl decided she would be a mermaid. That didn't work out. Instead she followed her other love, art. Karen and her family live in historic Clinton, New Jersey. They vacation every year at the Jersey Shore where Karen spends most days on the beach painting... Hoping to one day at least see a mermaid! Voyage is Karen's debut as a picture book illustrator.

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Book SynopsisTRY THIS AT HOME. Poems to inspire young readers.From Eileen Spinelli''s many goodbyes to summer at the shore, to Avis Harley''s catalog of ways to say hello across the globe, to a close look at the birds and animals outside Valiska Gregory''s window in winterGeorgia Heard has collected list poems from contemporary poets. Each list is gathered with a poet''s eye carefully selected details beautifully presented so that readers see the extraordinary in the ordinary. And so readers are encouraged to be writers. The simplicity of each poem and Georgia Heard''s introduction will inspire young poets to write their own.

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Book SynopsisToys, food, and other everyday household objects have wild adventures at night, while the humans in the house sleep, in this imaginative collection of 26 poems. What do the things in your home do when you're asleep? They play, of course! In this compendium of poems by Laura Purdie Salas, everything from stuffed animals to clothing to writing utensils comes to life under the cover of night. An overdue library book searches for the perfect place to hide. A paper clip skydives with a tissue parachute. A fruit snack unrolls to create a tricky racetrack for toy cars. A hose unwinds and rolls around the yard before curling back up just before dawn. Accompanied by Angela Matteson's beautiful acrylic-on-wood illustrations, this book will spark young readers' imaginations and is a perfect choice for bedtime reading.Trade Review"The poems vary in form and...the feel overall is cheery and energetic. Matteson's paintings...evoke the nighttime setting. Brighter shades and unusual perspectives match the liveliness of the text. Simply drawn faces on the objects convey emotions effectively, while stick-figure-style arms and legs...heighten the whimsical tone. Familiar objects, playful language, and imaginative action add up to a collection that will amuse young listeners and, perhaps, inspire them to undertake imaginative explorations of their own." -Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisIn this unusual counting book, playful poems tell the stories of one elk, two birds, three fish—from one through ten and then many—as they go about their day. For an added bonus, numerals, Roman numerals, and words related to the numbers are included in the page design. Jason Stemple's intimate photographs give us a unique look at some common creatures that enjoy the company of others.Trade Review"A beautiful tour of the natural world." —Publishers Weekly"Readers will enjoy counting the creatures that appear on each spread. Many, no doubt, will memorize the enchanting verse." —Kirkus Reviews"A joyful collection of unusual animals, appealing poems, and excellent photographs." —School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisThe powerful poems in this poignant collection weave together multiple voices to tell the story of the March on Washington, DC, in 1963. From the woman singing through a terrifying bus ride to DC, to the teenager who came partly because his father told him, "Don't you dare go to that march," to the young child riding above the crowd on her father's shoulders, each voice brings a unique perspective to this tale. As the characters tell their personal stories of this historic day, their chorus plunges readers into the experience of being at the march—walking shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, hearing Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech, heading home inspired.Trade Review* "Lewis and Lyon join forces for a fictionalized account of one of the pivotal moments in US civil rights history. . . Through over 70 largely first-person poems, the poets rekindle the spirit of the fight for racial equality in the United States with imagined voices of young and old, black and white, educated and underprivileged, supporters and detractors and drive home the volume's theme of taking personal responsibility in helping this country 'steer toward justice together.' . . . A powerful yet accessible guide to 'one day in 1963 [that] [b]elongs to every age.'" -Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called it 'the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.' . . . Now poets J. Patrick Lewis and George Ella Lyon have written their own chapter in this collection of original poems that examine and celebrate the occasion and its aftermath in a variety of voices both real and imagined . . . From an perspective, however, the march was history in the making and this collection is a fitting memorial to it." -Booklist, starred review"In this collection of 70 short poems, Lewis and Lyon introduce the 1963 March on Washington through the perspectives of those who took part. . . This well-crafted introduction to the Civil Rights era deserves a wide audience, as these poems, with their plain-spoken, honest emotions, offer insight into the past, and inspiration to continue the struggle." -School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisIn this unusual collection, poems and photographs focus on shapes in nature. Some shapes are found in familiar places: A circle is the sun and a crescent is the moon. But there are imaginative surprises too: an alligator's tooth is a triangle and a frond's shadow forms a square. Related shape words—round, halo, sphere, etc.—are scattered throughout the spreads. This collaboration captures the beauty of shapes in nature in a playful way.Trade ReviewAnother foray in an extremely engaging series. These titles are beautifully designed, displaying eye-catching photography and inventive use of typography and placement. . . . Very enjoyable, and allows for much exploration.' —Kirkus ReviewsThere's much to consider in each image, and language-arts teachers will relish this book's ability to jump-start student creativity.' —School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisA poetry collection introducing animal architects that build remarkable structures in order to attract a mate and have babies.Many animals build something--a nest, tunnel, or web--in order to pair up, lay eggs, give birth, and otherwise perpetuate their species. Organized based on where creatures live--underground, in the water, on land, or in the air--twelve poems bring fish, insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds to life. Back matter includes more information about each animal."A fine synthesis of poetry and science" — Kirkus Reviews"An inviting introduction to a dozen industrious creatures" — Publishers Weekly "A natural for classroom use, with eye-catching art that will lure little ones in" — Booklist ILA Teachers'' Choices

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Book SynopsisA perfect gift for a new big brother or big sister, this collection of 21 poems celebrates growing up and milestones both large and small in a young person's life, such as learning how to whistle, riding the school bus alone, and becoming an older sibling.Growing up is exciting! It's packed with firsts like losing a tooth of visiting the ocean. It's bursting with accomplishments like figuring out how to snap, and learning to ride a bike. And it's full of changes that change you like being stung by a bee and realizing that even big kids cry, or holding your baby brother for the first time. This collection of poems by award-winning author Marilyn Singer salutes significant milestones for every child and is accompanied by sweet, joyful illustrations by Jana Christy.Trade ReviewA NCTE Notable Poetry Book“A simple yet delightful collection of poems from Singer. (She) turns the spotlight on challenges that may seem mundane to grown-ups but are incredibly meaningful…The individual poems are short and very approachable; it's clear Singer kept her audience in mind while penning each one. Teachers and caregivers will appreciate the ability to pick up and set aside the book at will, reading only one or two poems or the entire collection in one go. The illustrations…are very in-tune with the offering. Soft lines and smudged shapes help to steer the interest level, and the diverse cast is particularly notable. This encouraging, kid-centric collection of poems is a fun and approachable homage to iconic rites of passage.” – School Library Journal"Acclaimed poet Singer celebrates the milestones in a young child's life… through a series of poems that, like children, are unique, at times unpredictable, and always lively. Christy's digital illustrations in soft pastel hues reflect children and families of all races and cultures. Children are captured…full of energy and confidence. There's something for every child here.” — Booklist“Award-winning poet Singer explores the stumbles and triumphs that go hand in hand as preschoolers become big kids…(T)hese 19 poems encapsulate the myriad experiences of a diverse cast of grade-schoolers…Singer's observations span a variety of poetic forms and rhyming schemes…(and) Christy's watercolor images capture gap-toothed grins and snaggle-brow frowns with equal aplomb.” -Kirkus Reviews“Singer’s genial poems focus on childhood milestones…Christy illustrates in cheerful, jewel-toned digital spreads, capturing Singer’s relatable moments of frustration, progress, and pride.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for young soccer fans, this picture book features twenty-two imaginative poems that capture all aspects of the world's most popular sport.From the coach who inspires players to fly like the wind, to the shin guard that begs to be donned, to soccer dreams that fill the night, Soccerverse celebrates soccer. Featuring a diverse cast of girls and boys, the poems in this collection cover winning, losing, teamwork, friendships, skills, good sportsmanship, and, most of all, love for the game. Elizabeth Steinglass cleverly incorporates thirteen different poetic forms throughout the book, defining each in a note at the end, and Edson Ikê's bold artwork is as creative as the poems are surprising.Trade ReviewAn NCTE Notable Poetry Book“Twenty-two poems celebrate, from a young person's perspective, the beautiful game that is soccer. Ikê's digitally created art is stylized and full of motion. His lighthearted illustrations incorporate some poetic fantasy elements and flourishes…Each poem uses one or more of 13 poetic forms described briefly in an author's note—something that will surely charm teachers and aspiring poets. A pitch-perfect ode to the details and delights of playing soccer.” -Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThis collection of 22 poems explores the fascinating lives of North American nocturnal animals. When the sun goes down, many animals come out. Crickets chirp their crickety song hoping to attract a mate. Cougars bury their leftovers for later, leaving few clues for others to follow. Armadillos emerge from their dens to dig for worms, leaving holes in the lawns they disturb. This collection of poetry from acclaimed children's author and poet David L. Harrison explores the lives of animals who are awake after dark. Stephanie Laberis's beautifully atmospheric illustrations will draw in readers, and extensive back matter offers more information about each animal.Trade Review"Who's out at night, and what do they do? These poems answer that for you... Twenty-one animals who live by the light of the moon get profiled in Harrison's poems, written in a variety of forms, some rhymed and most not. Each is featured in a one- or two-page spread with realistic, appropriately dark, attractive illustrations by Laberis. A fine collection of poetical odes to a nicely diverse group of nighttime fauna." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThis emotionally resonant novel in verse by award-winning author Nikki Grimes celebrates choosing to be true to yourself.Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading—anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, and a way to finally reach his distant father—by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.Trade ReviewKirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearSchool Library Journal Best Book of the Year★ 'Grimes returns to the novel-in-verse format, creating voice, characters, and plot in a series of pithy tanka poems, a traditional Japanese form similar to haiku, but using five lines.... (w)ritten from Garvey's point of view, the succinct verses convey the narrative as well as his emotions with brevity, clarity, and finesse.' —Booklist, starred review★ "(A) sensitively written middle grade novel in verse... (readers) will fall hard for Garvey, a tender, sincere boy who dislikes athletics. Grimes writes about adolescent friendships in a way that feels deeply human. A short, sweet, satisfying novel in verse that educators and readers alike will love." —School Library Journal, starred review★ "Grimes' newest follows a young black boy searching for his own unique voice, lost among his father's wishes and society's mischaracterizations. This compassionate, courageous, and hopeful novel explores the constraints placed on black male identity and the corresponding pains and struggles that follow when a young black boy must confront these realities both at home and in school.... This graceful novel risks stretching beyond easy, reductive constructions of black male coming-of-age stories and delivers a sincere, authentic story of resilience and finding one's voice." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Grimes tells a big-hearted story of Garvey...(e)mploying the Japanese poetic form of tanka—five-line poems (or, here, stanzas) with haiku-like syllable counts—Grimes reveals Garvey's thoughts, feelings, and observations, the spare poetry a good vehicle for a young man's attempts to articulate the puzzle that is his life." —The Horn Book

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Book SynopsisRenowned author and poet Nikki Grimes succinctly captures a childhood filled with both tragedy and courage and invites readers to join her as she seeks the truth of her past in this powerful memoir. Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by her mother's second husband. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic of writing. Through subsequent years, her notebooks were her most enduring companions. In this remarkable memoir told in both poetry and prose, Grimes explores her harrowing past, showing how the power of words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of life.Trade Review"With Ordinary Hazards, Grimes delivers a memoir in the form of a powerful and inspiring collection of poems. She details her early life through adulthood, and she unabashedly explores the highs as well as the lows. Young adults will identify with and connect to the many challenges explored in Grimes' work, which delves into issues of love, family, responsibility, belonging, finding your place in the world, and fighting the monsters you know--and the ones you don't. The memoir has heartbreaking moments--even soul-crushing ones--that will make readers ache for young Grimes and teens grappling with similar circumstances. But inspiring moments bolster her raw, resonant story, showing that there is always light at the end of the darkest of tunnels." -- Booklist, starred review "Grimes potently conveys the way reading and writing can become ways not just to express oneself but to construct oneself, to articulate one's identity, to map one's mental and emotional territory. Readerly readers will find young Nikki inspiring company..." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review "As poetically written as Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming with a story as hard-hitting as Sapphire's Push....the striking free-verse poems powerfully convey how a passion for writing fueled her will to survive and embrace her own resilience.... (a) must-read for aspiring writers." -- The Horn Book, starred review "Grimes presents a gripping memoir in verse constructed from imperfect recollections of the hardship and abuse she endured as a child. Underlining the idea that 'a memoir's focus is on truth, not fact, ' Grimes courageously invites readers to join her on a journey through the shadows of her past..." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "(W)ritten in highly readable verse and delivers a relatable message characterized by pathos and resilience... this book is an homage to the fortifying effect of written expression. School counselors can use this text as bibliotherapy for students in similar situations (and it) can also act as mentor text in classroom lessons on memoir writing or when teaching confessional poetry." -- School Library Connection, starred review "For award-winning children's and YA author Grimes, writing, faith, and determination were the keys to surviving her tumultuous childhood. Grimes recounts her story as a memoir in verse, writing with a poet's lyricism through the lens of memory fractured by trauma. Fans of her poetry and prose will appreciate this intimate look at the forces that shaped her as an artist and as a person determined to find the light in the darkest of circumstances. A raw, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of trauma, loss, and the healing power of words." -- Kirkus Reviews "Grimes offers young adult readers the special treat of literary ingenuity in her new memoir... that doesn't demand a time line. This nontraditional memoir from a long-working and highly acclaimed author will speak deeply to young readers harboring their own interest in writing or otherwise squeezing art out of life's spiky fruit." -- School Library Journal "This book is... a gut-wrenching testimony of pain, loss, resilience, and grace. Nikki is open about her truth and wrote it to make it accessible to readers of all ages. This book will heal hearts and open a lot of eyes. It will keep some kids alive and it will wake up some adults. This powerful story, told with the music of poetry and the blade of truth, will help your heart grow." --Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak and Shout "In Ordinary Hazards, Nikki Grimes has given us an intimate look into her life as a young person who found writing as a way to buoy herself in the choppy waters of her childhood. Giving us a glimpse into addiction, abandonment, foster care, and abuse, Grimes poetically guides us to her eventual acceptance and amazement. This is a testimony and a triumph." --Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way Down "Life, as Nikki Grimes so well puts it, is full of ordinary hazards, only she creates and accepts them in poems. Sometimes you want to cry... sometimes to laugh... but always at all times are you glad you are alive and lived with it and through it. Ms. Grimes writes, but some of us sing, bake, or build buildings or play sports. These, too, can be hazardous. But none of them is ordinary." --Nikki Giovanni, Poet "Each verse is a gift, showing us how to find beauty even in brokenness." --Renee Watson, author of the New York Times best seller Piecing Me Together "In Ordinary Hazards Nikki Grimes gives us her raw, desperate, joyful, lyrical truth, while celebrating the life-changing, and -life-saving, power of words. Whoever you are, there's something in Ordinary Hazards for you." --Chris Crutcher, author of Whale Talk and Losers Bracket "Ordinary Hazards is an extraordinary book, a stunning memoir in verse that celebrates the power of the written word and the human spirit. Nikki's story will be a life-saving read for teens who need to know that there is hope on the other side of the struggles they're facing today." --Kate Messner, author of Breakout and The Seventh Wish "Can I use just one word in a blurb? Then it's WOW! If two: Incredibly moving. If three: Poetry saved her. Four: That's too easy. Instead I'll tell you that if you read one book of poetry this year, or one memoir, make it this one. How the poet came out of her childhood with grace and good words is a miracle. How she wanted to share is a second one. That she did--a third. Just WOW." --Jane Yolen, sometime poet, author of over 375 published books "Memory is a capricious dance partner. Sometimes it overwhelms our brain, stomping with bold, defined images and thoughts, and sometimes it simply tiptoes around the edges of a whisper, a dream, a forgotten touch or glance. Nikki Grimes's powerful memoir does both as she uses words, her constant source of strength, to tell the story of her childhood, which at times was both traumatic as well as triumphant. The strength that carried the child who would become the writer, the poet, the visionary was built on the power of words. She constantly and faithfully wrote in journals and notebooks and on scraps of paper because the words were her wings. Poetry became a necessary tool of survival for her mind and body and soul. This memoir, which she calls Ordinary Hazards, far exceeds the title. It is extraordinary." --Sharon M. Draper, author of the New York Times best seller Out of My Mind

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