Meet Danitra Brown [Paperback]

Nikki Grimes (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

This spirited collection of poems introduces young readers to Danitra Brown, the most splendiferous girl in town, and her best friend, Zuri Jackson. "The poignant text and lovely pictures are an excellent collaboration, resulting in a look at touching moments of universal appeal."--School Library Journal.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a series of poems, an African American girl sings the praises of her best friend and their special relationship. According to Zuri, the speaker here, Danitra is "the most splendiferous girl in town." Zuri respects Danitra's quirks (she wears only purple clothing) and admires her ability to walk away from boys who taunt her about her glasses. Zuri is, moreover, grateful that "Danitra knows just what to say to make me glad." Grimes's poetry has a very deliberate rhyme scheme, but it also smoothly describes a number of vignettes and links them with consistent themes and characterizations. Issues of race, feminism and family structure are delicately incorporated, and successfully build an emotional connection for the reader. Cooper's misty oil paints depict two proud, happy kids in an often grim urban landscape. Splashes of green leaves and storefront fruit and flower displays further brighten the sidewalks and apartment-building stoops. Though the selection may be especially touching for African Americans, anyone who has a best friend can relate to this realistic but bubbly volume. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-A collection of 13 original poems that stand individually and also blend together to tell a story of feelings and friendship between two African-American girls. Grimes creatively uses the voice of Zuri Jackson to share tales of the girls' moments of admiration, pain, self-assurance, pride in their cultural heritage, sadness, disappointments, play, and their thoughts and feelings about future dreams and aspirations. Cooper's distinguished illustrations in warm dusty tones convey the feeling of closeness. The poignant text and lovely pictures are an excellent collaboration, resulting in a look at touching moments of friendship with universal appeal.
Barbara Osborne Williams, Queens Borough Public Library, Jamaica, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688154719
• ISBN-13: 978-0688154714
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,001 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

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Absolutely Wonderful Meet Danitra Brown, December 12, 1999

By 

S. Dolgoff "Book lover in Savannah" (Savannah, Georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meet Danitra Brown (Library Binding)

As a teacher for many years I have read and shared hundreds of books with students. This one is exceptional. Last year, desperate to really reach my third grade, low-achieving, inner city students, I looked through some books that I had put away. MEET DANITRA BROWN was among them, but for some reason I never read it before that moment. I took it to school the next day, hoping the children would enjoy the book, but not daring to hope for more. This powerfully poignant book elicited dialogue from my students as well as written responses that I didn't know was possible. What a motivator! Just because I taught third graders, please do not doubt the power of the text to transcend any age. The older a person the more they will be able to bring to the text. I would love to use this book with a group of inner city high school students. The rhythm and punch of the poetry(no turn-off to boys or girls at all)pulls the listener/reader in. The illustrations are icing on the (tough) cake of life. The lessons and morals within Nikki Grimes' language are unforgettable. I cannot say enough about the quality of this book except this: Fabulous!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK, May 5, 2008

By 

Sylvia Robison "SRR" (Greenville, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meet Danitra Brown (Paperback)

This book is a collection of poems telling about a very close friendship between two young girls. Danitra Brown is a young black girl who loves being herself. When other children tease or talk about her she ignores them and keeps a positive attitude. Danitra's mother encourages her to strive for improvement in everything that she does. Danitra is able to pass this trait on to her other friends. The author paints a wonderful picture of her best friend, Danitra. The collection includes poems about bike riding, talking, sitting in front of the building, and shares a special poem about Danitra and her mother. The poems tell a story and are about the same people. The book has many rhyming schemes. It is recommended for k-3. In the classroom it could be used to help with word recognition with words that look alike and rhyme. I have added it to my home library and have a copy for my classroom library. A ALA Notable Book and A Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book winner.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Danitra a wise young girl, March 24, 2005

By 

Travis Evans "Book Boy" (Winnsboro, S.C. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meet Danitra Brown (Paperback)

Danitra Brown, a young black girl that everyone loves so dearly. Danitra is a young lady the loves to be herself no matter what others may say. Grimes describes her as a beautiful black girl with a lot going for her. Danitria doesn't talk about her friend, but encourages her freinds to strive for prefection. Danitria's mother always tells her to strive for improvement and she passes this on and on.