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Title details for Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes - Available

Bronx Masquerade

by Nikki Grimes
Jessica Almasy
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
Acclaimed poet, novelist, journalist, and educator Nikki Grimes was born and raised in New York City. Each of the 18 kids in Mr. Ward's inner city classroom has something important to say, but some don't even realize it. Then Mr. Ward begins to have "open mic" poetry slams once a month on Fridays. Young adult listeners will identify with the characters in Bronx Masquerade as they explore questions about life and self-expression. "As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they're looking for-real characters who show them they are not alone."-School Library Journal

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    November 1, 2015

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781490674476
      • File size: 82536 KB
      • Duration: 02:51:56

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 670
    • Text Difficulty: 3

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Imagine an inner city high school English classroom. Eighteen sullen teenagers wonder what school can give them. One student decides a poem, not an essay, is the way to share his insights about the Harlem Renaissance. A wise teacher grabs the teachable moment, instituting "open mike poetry slam Fridays" once a month, and a roomful of at-risk students gets excited about school. The Recorded Books cast brings this world to life. The voices of the teens ring true, and the company creates unique personalities for each character. Voices gain strength and grow in honesty as they explore their worlds, hearts, and aspirations, and discover futures of possibility. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from December 22, 2003
      A high school teacher in the Bronx hosts open-mike poetry in his classroom, and his students forge unexpected connections with one another. "The creative, contemporary premise will hook teens, and the poems may even inspire readers to try a few of their own," wrote PW
      . Ages 12-up.

    • Publisher's Weekly

      December 17, 2001
      When a high school teacher in the Bronx begins to host open-mike poetry in his classroom on Fridays, his students find a forum to express their identity issues and forge unexpected connections with one another. Grimes's (Jazmin's Notebook) creative, contemporary premise will hook teens, and the poems may even inspire readers to try a few of their own. The poetic forms range from lyrics penned by aspiring rapper Tyrone to the concrete poem of a budding Puerto Rican painter Raul (titled "Zorro" and formed as the letter "Z"). Ultimately, though, there may be too many characters for the audience to penetrate deeply. The students in Mr. Ward's English class experience everything from dyslexia and low self-esteem to teenage motherhood and physical abuse. The narrators trade off quickly, offering only a glimpse into their lives. Not even Tyrone, who breaks in after each student's poem to offer some commentary, comes fully to life. The students' poems, however, provide some lasting images (e.g., overweight Janelle, who is teased for her "thick casing," writes, "I am coconut,/ and the heart of me/ is sweeter/ than you know"). Any one of these students could likely dominate a novel of his or her own, they simply get too little time to hold the floor here. Ages 12-up.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:670
  • Text Difficulty:3

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