Ordinary Hazards
Ratings4
Average rating4.5
15
Ratings4
Average rating4.5
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book A Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book A Boston Globe/Horn Book Nonfiction Honor Book Arnold Adoff Poetry Award for Teens Six Starred Reviews -- ★Booklist ★BCCB ★The Horn Book ★Publishers Weekly ★School Library Connection ★Shelf Awareness A Booklist Best Book for Youth * A BCCB Blue Ribbon * A Horn Book Fanfare Book * A Shelf Awareness Best Children's Book * Recommended on NPR's "Morning Edition" by Kwame Alexander "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 "[A] testimony and a triumph."--Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way Down In her own voice, acclaimed author and poet Nikki Grimes explores the truth of a harrowing childhood in a compelling and moving memoir in verse. 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 those she trusted. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic and impact of writing. For many years, Nikki's notebooks were her most enduing companions. In this accessible and inspiring memoir that will resonate with young readers and adults alike, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of her life.
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Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher. No review was expected, I am choosing to review this in the hopes more people find and read this important book.
I went to the Seattle ALA in January for a book signing of my own. While there I carefully avoided the grabby-hand syndrome of taking ALL the books. I allowed myself a small selection. The cover grabbed my eye, and when I opened the book to reveal verse, I slipped a copy into my bag. I'm so glad I did.
Nikki has been through A LOT. Born to a mother with schizophrenia, a father who wasn't sure how to be a dad, and an older sister who did her best to help raise her... trauma was a huge part of her growing up. She found a small voice at six and began writing down her thoughts, stories, and poems. Anything to help her deal with her life and the demands of growing up in the 50s and 60s.
This book is beautifully written in verse. I found myself identifying a lot with what she had to say. Surviving traumatic experiences is rough. It does erase a huge part of the moments we grow up in. This book helped me see where my own memory gaps are and taught me that writing continues to be an important method I have to healing myself. I can only hope to write a poignant memoir as Nikki Grimes has.
Thank you so much for writing this book. It has helped me, and I wish I could give you a massive hug.
