A DIME A DOZEN

by Nikki Grimes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1998

Where do writers come from? In autobiographical poems, Grimes traces her struggle to find her voice from an early age; short verses explore the pain and pleasure of growing up. Everyday events come to the fore--a game of hopscotch, a stroll with her mother, playing gin rummy--and help Grimes examine how she fits in with her family and what values they share. Other poems reveal her fear of the unspoken secrets in the family, her disappointment with broken promises, her worries for the future. The last poem, ""A Dime a Dozen,"" recalls her mother's views of the number of writers in the world, and Grimes's wish that the woman would one day be proud of ""My daughter, the Writer."" This slim volume and its bittersweet entries will encourage readers to locate and acknowledge the poetry in their own lives and to give voice to their own experiences.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1998

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 56

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1998

Categories: POETRY