Danitra Brown Leaves Town [Paperback]

Nikki Grimes (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2005 | Age Level: 4 and up

It's summer vacation, but Zuri Jackson isn't happy. What will she do all summer long in the city when her best friend, Danitra. Brown, the most splendiferous girl in town, is off to visit her family in the country? Write, of course!

Through a series of letters, these two friends share with readers what childhood summers are made of. fireflies, Fourth of July, skies like a thick overcoat buttoned up with stars, family reunions, block parties, handball games...and coming back home, where true friendship always remains.

We met these two unforgettable best friends in the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Meet Danitra Brown. Now Nikki Grimes brings Danitra and Zuri back, in thirteen more spirited poems matched with Floyd Cooper's exuberant paintings.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Zuri describes in verse the summer that she and her best friend Danitra are separated in Danitra Brown Leaves Town by Nikki Grimes, a follow-up to Meet Danitra Brown. Floyd Cooper's luminescent pastels chronicle the long days and Zuri's many moods.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grades 3-5--Grimes and Cooper return with another story told through poems about Danitra Brown and Zuri Jackson. This time, the friends exchange letters all summer long while Danitra is visiting relatives. Zuri starts out feeling angry and disappointed that Danitra is leaving her behind and doesn't seem to care, but eventually both girls make new friends while they look forward to being together again. Some vignettes may leave readers with perplexing questions; for example, Danitra describes a stubborn dragonfly that she's sure would like to eat her, but the accompanying image depicts her smiling at it benignly. All in all, however, Cooper's photo-realist artwork in soft hues against glowing backdrops is a lovely complement to the girls' many moods.

Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (July 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060753110
• ISBN-13: 978-0060753115
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nikki Grimes conveyed the fire-in-the-belly fervor of a Harlem girl who knows she was born to write in Jazmin's Notebook, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. In My Man Blue, a Booklist Editor's Choice and Newsweek Children's Books of the Year selection, her artful words expressed a boy's journey from skepticism to trust. And now with Bronx Masquerade she presents a rich chorus of eighteen voices, singing openly about ideas, feelings, and questions--things that open minds, invite debate, provide release. A recent Booklist review proclaims: "As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they're looking for--real characters who show them they are not alone."An accomplished poet, novelist, journalist, and educator, Ms. Grimes was born and raised in New York City and now lives in the Los Angeles area.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For BEST FRIENDS everywhere!, December 11, 2004

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Danitra Brown Leaves Town (Hardcover)

Being familiar with illustrator Floyd Cooper's work from the earlier "Grandpa's Face," I couldn't avoid being drawn to this beautifully drawn children's book. I immediately thought of my five-year-old niece and her passion for reading.

Nikki Grimes' tale is one to which all can relate: the longing for a friend that has relocated. Through a series of "letters," the two girls, Zuri and the title character, share what is happening with each other in the miles that separate them. Such familiar "adventures" as block parties, family reunions, staring at the night sky, making new friends, school, private places, and the eventual reunion are presented in text that children will find most appealing.

This book belongs on every child's WISH list.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Especially recommended for school & community libraries., March 29, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Danitra Brown Leaves Town (Hardcover)

Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown are best friends facing a long summer apart, for Danitra is going to visit her family in the country. They decide to cultivate a series of letters sharing their summer: this presents their insights, with Floyd Cooper providing the illustrative embellishments.