Best Selling Books by Nikki Grimes

This 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.

Just in time for the 2012 election, a book & CD edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling picture-book biography of the 44th President! Nikki Grimes’s lyrical text and Bryan Collier''s distinctive collages tell the inspirational story of President Barack Obama. Raised in Jakarta and Hawaii, Obama’s election as President represented a watershed moment in our nation''s history. Like JFK and Martin Luther King, Obama is a link in the long chain of people who have fought so that this country fulfills the promises upon which it was founded. Just as the baton has been passed to Obama from previous leaders, Obama is a role model for the young people who will one day assume the mantle of leadership, and this book will celebrate and inspire them. This #1 New York Times bestselling book is available for the first time as a book & CD, read by author Nikki Grimes.

Jerilyn and Jesse have lost their beloved older brother. But each of them deals with Jaron''s death differently. Jerilyn tries to keep it in and hold it together; Jesse acts out. But after a year of anger, pain, and guilt, they come to understand that it''s time to move on. It''s time for a new family picture-with one piece missing, yet whole again. Through the alternating voices of a brother and sister, Nikki Grimes eloquently portrays the grieving process in this gem of a book that is honest, powerful, and ultimately hopeful. Nikki Grimes is the distinguished author of more than two-dozen children''s books. She received the 2003 Coretta Scott King Award for her novel Bronx Masquerade and a 2003 Coretta Scott King Honor citation for Talkin'' About Bessie. Many of her books have been cited as Notable Books by the American Library Association, including Come Sunday, a picture book in verse; Something on My Mind; and Meet Danitra Brown, which also won a Coretta Scott King Honor. She lives in southern California.

Avon has compiled a varied list of books that focus on issues and concerns for women everywhere -- from notable fiction to detailed healthcare guides.

Spunky third-grader Dyamonde Daniel misses her old neighborhood, but when she befriends a boy named Free, another new student at school, she finally starts to feel at home.

Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year Kirkus Best Book of the Year Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year 4 STARRED REVIEWS Nikki Grimes, Coretta Scott King Award winning author, and acclaimed illustrator Elizabeth Zunon''s latest children''s masterpiece creates an imagination-fueled and animal-filled journey to bedtime. "Has the feel of an all-time great bedtime picture book" — The New York Times It''s bedtime. But Mommy''s little one is not sleepy. He growls like a bear, he questions like an owl, he tosses his mane like a lion. He hunts for water like a sly wolf, and hides like a snake. Mommy needs to wrangle her sweet creature in bed so that the whole family can sleep. From tigers to squirrels to snakes, the little boy dodges around his bedtime, until he is tired enough to finally sleep. His imaginative animal friends weave their way through the illustrations, eventually joining him in curling up for the night. For those seeking children''s books about diversity, this loving depiction of everyday shenanigans is sure to become a bedtime favorite. Bedtime for Sweet Creatures is an African American children''s book that celebrates imagination, playful moments, and the love between a Black mother and child. "The mother''s loving understanding is demonstrated by how she works with her child''s rich imagination, never slipping into admonishment. As such, children will engage with the pajama-clad tot''s antics and be soothed by the book''s positive tone. A fabulous interpretation of an everyday battle."—Booklist, STARRED review

A combination of poetry and woodcut illustrations invites readers to explore the events surrounding the first Easter.

Recounts, in a series of poems and letters, Danitra''s summer at her aunt''s house in the country and her best friend Zuri''s summer at home in town.

They may be best friends, but Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown respond very differently to the start of school. For Zuri, there are so many things to ponder -- a new teacher who replaced the old one she liked so much, passing math, and worrying about her mother''s health. But for Danitra, the only real deal is being true to herself, having fun, and supporting Zuri in any way she can. Multiple Coretta Scott King award winners Nikki Grimes and E. B. Lewis have poured their best into Danitra Brown, Class Clown. This third book starring Zuri and Danitra speaks to everyone who has faced the trials of a new school year.

Nikki Grimes, Coretta Scott King Award winning author, and acclaimed illustrator Elizabeth Zunon''s latest children''s masterpiece is a whimsical adventure and rollicking celebration of playtime fun. "Time to get to work, little one," I tell you. "What work?" you ask. Like always, you pretend not to understand. "Your job is called Play," I say. Mom needs to wake up her child whose job is to play. From dancing in puddles to jumping in leaves, and swinging high enough to almost reach the sun, there''s so much to do in a fun-filled day. For those seeking children''s books about diversity, this loving depiction of everyday shenanigans is sure to become a story time favorite. Playtime for Restless Rascals is an African American children''s book that celebrates imagination, playful moments, and the love between parents and child. Praise for Bedtime for Sweet Creatures: "A patient mother with a healthy sense of whimsy helps prepare her headstrong toddler for bed. Zunon''s art takes this book to the next level: Her portrayals of the animals mentioned in the text are colorful and full of intriguing patterns and shapes. An adventurous treat of a bedtime story."—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW "An adorable and imaginative bedtime story to add to collections for young children...children will engage with the pajama-clad tot''s antics and be soothed by the book''s positive tone. A fabulous interpretation of an everyday battle."—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW Praise for Off to See the Sea "Children will delight... This ebullient account of a common childhood experience bursts with love and universal appeal."—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

From Children''s Literature Legacy Award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes a feminist-forward new collection of poetry celebrating the little-known women poets of the Harlem Renaissance--paired with full-color, original art from today''s most talented female African-American illustrators. For centuries, accomplished women--of all races--have fallen out of the historical records. The same is true for gifted, prolific, women poets of the Harlem Renaissance who are little known, especially as compared to their male counterparts. In this poetry collection, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses "The Golden Shovel" poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of these groundbreaking women-and to introduce readers to their work. Each poem is paired with one-of-a-kind art from today''s most exciting female African-American illustrators: Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Nina Crews, Pat Cummings, Laura Freeman, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Ebony Glenn, April Harrison, Vashti Harrison, Ekua Holmes, Cathy Ann Johnson, Keisha Morris, Daria Peoples-Riley, Andrea Pippins, Erin Robinson, Shadra Strickland, Nicole Tadgell, and Elizabeth Zunon. Legacy also includes a foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author''s note, and poet biographies, which make this a wonderful resource and a book to cherish. Acclaim for One Last Word A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor winner A New York Public Library Best Kids Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, Middle Grade A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Nonfiction

In this collection of poems, a child expresses love and affection for Daddy and reflects on the many times Daddy talks to God.

"When Gorilla goes walking, the neighbours laugh and stare at her tailless rump and her very proud air." Experience Cecilia and Gorilla''s unique relationship through Nikki Grimes''s lyrical poetry and Shane Evans''s vibrant artwork. Readers will fall in love with Gorilla and wish they could bring her home with them!

Dyamonde knows it''s what''s on the inside that counts! Dyamonde loves eating her mom''s pancakes. Free loves eating . . . period. But lately Damaris just pushes her food around her plate, and Dyamonde suspects it has something to do with the mean things classmates have been saying about people''s weight. Damaris wonders if they might be talking about her too. Dyamonde knows that Damaris doesn''t have a weight problem and is perfect just the way she is--so now it''s time for her to make sure Damaris knows that, too. In this fourth installment of the award-winning series, Coretta Scott King Award winner Nikki Grimes''s lovable Dyamonde Daniel is back, with a timely message about self-acceptance and healthy eating habits--delivered with her trademark spunk.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Malcolm X challenged America to face the truth of its prejudice toward its African American citizens. Born in poverty in Lansing Michigan, he fell into a life of petty crime, until he discovered the Black Muslim religion in jail. Eventually, he turned his life around, continued to seek teachers, and instructed others too. His influence continues to be felt around the world.

Nikki Grimes offers a glimpse into the inspiring lives of Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman, with breathtaking illustrations by Michele Wood! What if Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony sat down over tea to reminisce about their extraordinary lives? What would they recall of their triumphs and struggles as they fought to achieve civil rights for African Americans and equal rights for women? And what other historical figures played parts in their stories? These questions led Coretta Scott King Award winner Nikki Grimes to create CHASING FREEDOM, an engaging work of historical fiction about two of the nineteenth century''s most powerful, and inspiring, American women.With breathtaking illustrations by Coretta Scott King Award winner Michele Wood, CHASING FREEDOM richly imagines the experiences of Tubman and Anthony, set against the backdrop of the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the Women''s Suffrage Movement.Additional back matter invites curious young readers to further explore this period in history--and the larger-than-life figures who lived it.

In these hilarious stories by some of the top authors of middle grade fiction today, each young character is coping with a minor superpower—while also discovering their power to change themselves and their community, find their voice, and celebrate what makes them unique. The kids in these humorous short stories each have a minor superpower they’re learning to live with. One can shape-shift—but only part of her body, and only on Mondays. Another can always tell whether an avocado is perfectly ripe. One can even hear the thoughts of the animals in the pet store! But what these stories are really about is their young protagonists “owning” a power that contributes to their individuality, that allows them to find their place in the world, that shows them a potential they might not have imagined. Because if you really think about it, we all have something special and unique about ourselves that makes us a little bit super. We all have the power to change as an individual, to change our communities for the better, to have a voice and to speak up. These playful, thought-provoking tales from some of today’s top middle grade authors prompt readers to consider what their own superpower might be, and how they can use it. Written by Pablo Cartaya, Nikki Grimes, Leah Henderson, Jarrett Krosoczka, Remy Lai, Kyle Lukoff, Meg Medina, Daniel Nayeri, Linda Sue Park, Mitali Perkins, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Gary D. Schmidt, Brian Young, and Ibi Zoboi; coedited by Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt.

Dyamonde Daniel is excited about the local library?s poetry contest, and so is her friend Free. The prize is one hundred dollars?just think what they could buy with that much money! But when they find out that Damaris, one of their classmates, has been living in a homeless shelter, their ideas about what it means to be rich or poor start to change. And when they get to know Damaris, they realize the one who could use the prize money the most also happens to be the best poet in class. In this fantastic follow-up to Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, Nikki Grimes tackles big issues like homelessness in a sensitive, kid-friendly way. Dymonde?s can-do attitude and lively spirit will endear her to readers.

A little girl describes a typical Sunday from the moment her mother wakes her up through the different elements of the worship service in church.

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Dyamonde and her best friend Free compete over everything from sports to homework to setting the dinner table. Their bets are normally fun, but after Dyamonde goes on a winning (and bragging) streak, things turn rocky. Free stops coming over. He won''t return her calls. Then suddenly, he starts hanging out with other kids in the neighborhood. With their friendship at risk, Dyamonde must work to follow her mother''s advice: "Sorry is good, but sorry can''t fix everything."

A boy enjoys every moment of a special day with his father, as they play in the park, share french fries, and see a movie together. Includes activity ideas for parents and children.

Thirteen interrelated poems and as many radiant illustrations create not only a celebration of the ancient art of weaving but a joyful exploration of how love and hard work can mesh separate threads--or separate people--into a harmonious whole.

Cinderella manages to get to the prince''s ball with the help of her fairy godmother and to inspire the prince''s undying love.

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman lived during an era when Jim Crow laws and segregation were a way of life, but she didn''t let that stop her. Although she was only 11 when the Wright brothers took their historic flight, she vowed to become the first African-American female pilot. Her sturdy faith and determination helped her overcome obstacles of poverty, racism, and gender discrimination. Full-color illustrations.

Harper Lee''s classic novel of a lawyer in the Deep South defending a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has earned many distinctions since its original publication in 1960. It

Illustrations and text welcome a new baby to some of life''s delights, from "the glistening mystery of soap bubbles" to "the swish of leaves in the breeze."

A collection of poems about an African-American girl growing up in New York.

"In a marriage of poetry, faith, and worship, Ms. Grimes'' poems illuminate the Scriptures that grace every Sunday of the year. Her inimitable voice and imagination offer glimpses of glory we might not otherwise see, throughout the seasons of the year"--

A collection of more than twenty poems speaking of different kinds of love.

"A thirteen month cycle of poems distilled from chosen scriptures, viewed from her perspective as Black, as woman, as poet, and looking for the glory found in the margins of life"--

A Coretta Scott King Award-winning poet presents 23 poems that display the many facets of Christmastime from an African-American perspective. From neighborhood kids who need only an icy patch and trash can lid, to a carol-filled Christmas Eve service, Grimes revels in the sights, sounds, and feelings that make the season so special. Full-color illustrations.