Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
2016; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 70; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2016.0787
ISSN1558-6766
Autores Tópico(s)Poetry Analysis and Criticism
ResumoReviewed by: Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes Deborah Stevenson, Editor Grimes, Nikki Garvey’s Choice. Wordsong/Boyds Mills, 2016 [120p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-62979-740-3 $16.95 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-62979-747-2 $7.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 3-5 “Mom’s got a talent/ for origami, but she/ can’t fold me into/ the jock Dad wants me to be.” So says Garvey, who wishes his father would appreciate him for being the book-loving, music-listening boy he is, and who’s smarting even harder now that a new school year is bringing him teasing for his weight. When a friend points him toward chorus, though, Garvey finally finds his niche—and a new way of relating to his father. Grimes’ skilled unrhymed verse in tanka form combines deft manipulations with reader-friendly simplicity in diction and layout, and the brief, short-lined poems leave most of the page white space. Though Garvey’s overeating is a little oversimplified as a manifestation of unhappiness, it’s useful to see the topic addressed in a book for younger readers; his changing connection with his father is the real story here, and it’s a particularly nice touch that Garvey’s new relationship with music gives his father a road back to his own past musicianship. Grimes also deftly weaves in touchstones of African-American history (the origin of Garvey’s name is briefly alluded to) and music (Luther Vandross is father and son’s shared musical god). Any kid who has struggled to reconcile their identity with the expectations and desires of their parents will find this a familiar but hopeful tale. A note explains the author’s approach to the tanka poetic form. [End Page 73] Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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