Go, Dyamonde Daniel!

I just learned that the New York Public Library placed Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel on its 2009 list of 100 Books for Reading and Sharing!

My Visit With Cynthia Leitich Smith

I'm so pleased to appear on Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog as part of her Craft, Career & Cheer series. I say, in part:

"The notion of professional success is a sticky-wicket. It is almost always defined by those outside of ourselves. I prefer to focus on defining and achieving personal success, and I judge that in a few ways."

I hope you'll stop by to see what my criteria are for personal success, and what support I enjoy in my journey. You can read the complete interview at http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2009/11/craft-career-cheer-nikki-grimes.html.

Haiku Contest

Hey, visit me at my Facebook Fan Club (if you're not already a member, maybe it's time to join!) to participate in a haiku writing contest each month! I have a new theme every month, and if I like your haiku best, you'll receive a free, autographed book. Want to play? If so, I'll see you at my Facebook Fan Club.

Coming Soon

My new book, Out of the Dark, from the Author at Work series, published by Richard C. Owen Publishers, is on its way to bookstore shelves! Yay! You can see it featured on the publisher's website right now: www.rcowen.com/

Questions About Danitra

You guys are familiar with the Reading Rockets website, right? It's a project devoted to helping struggling readers. They do a Daily Lit Quiz, and on October 8, they featured my character Danitra Brown. Cool! And speaking of Reading Rockets, they have an interview with me on their site. You can watch the interview or read the transcript here.

Exquisite Corpse on All Things Considered

Did you read about the Exquisite Corpse Adventure in this month's Notes? Here's something a little extra: NPR's "All Things Considered" did a short piece about our project. Click here to listen to Guy Raz talk with Kate DiCamillo and Jon Scieska.

Danitra on Stage

Check out the New York Times Great Children's Read, taking place Oct. 4 on the New York Times Reading Stage. Mistress of Ceremonies and radio personality Liz Hamburg will be reading from Meet Danitra Brown. How cool is that?

A Rich Review

Kirkus Reviews has nice things to say about Rich, my new Dyamonde Daniel book. Check it out!

Voices of Christmas

I have a brand new poetry collection telling the story of Jesus' birth through the voices of 14 different people. Stunning art by Eric Velasquez helps make this a stunning Christmas treasure. I hope you like it.

Thanks a Million!

Just got word that Thanks a Million is going into another printing. Yay!

Can You Haiku?

That's the question I'm asking. If you visit me at my Facebook Fan Club, you can participate in a haiku writing contest each month. Just go to the discussion box and click on the word Contest to find the subject of the month. Leave your haiku there, and if yours is the best of the month, you'll receive a free, autographed book. The winner will be announced the first week of the following month. Want to play? If so, I'll see you at my Facebook Fan Club.

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope

Guess what! A recorded version of Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope is now available as a download from audible.com. I hope you like it! This picture book biography, which spent 20 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List, just won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Children's category. Read all about it here! And take a behind-the-scenes look at how I came to write it.

More Good News

More good news for The Road to Paris! Not only did it make Washington's Sasquatch Children's Book Award List for 2008, but it has also been nominated for the 2009-2010 Nebraska Golden Sower Award, Intermediate divison. Lovely!

When Gorilla Goes Walking was recently named to the 2009 California Readers Collection.

Oh, Brother is going for its first reprint! Yay!

Bronx Masquerade was #1 on Ingram's Bestseller List the week ending March 2nd. I'm smiling!

Jack Prelutsky Writes ...

about my poetry in his column on PoetryFoundation.org. He called it "She Speaks in the Voice of a Child,"and he has some very nice things to say. Thank you, Jack!

Reading Rockets Blog Features The Road to Paris

"I've often wondered what adults can do to help children and young adults cope with complicated lives in a complicated world. Several things came together for me when I had a chance to spend some time with author Nikki Grimes."

My book The Road to Paris was the first to be featured on Reading Rockets new blog, written by Maria Salvadore. Click here to read more—and look for the January 4, 2007 entry.

Answers to Your Questions

I've done my best to answer the questions I've been asked about the story behind Bronx Masquerade. Read my article, Bronx Masquerade: an Insider's Perspective.

Kennedy Center Live Podcast ...

Look for this podcast from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. You may watch the archived version at any time by registering on the website. (Schools may also access the interview via satellite.) They'll provide printed study guides and e-mail reminders for all those who register.

Recess! Interview from the ALAConference ...

Susan Raab interviewed me at the AmericanLibraryAssociationConference. That's available for listening on many radio stations throughout the country. You can hear a "brief sound clip" at the Recess website.

Brand New Audio Version ...

Just released by Recorded Books, there's an audio version of Bronx Masquerade. "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 the ways they express themselves." If you've read the book, you'll love hearing these teens out loud. If you haven't read the book, it's a great way to be introduced to these great characters.

Where do we go from here?

So many teachers ask for help in directing the enthusiasms of their students who have found a new energy in writing poetry. OpenMic Fridays, inspired by the days described in Bronx Masquerade, have been a big hit in schools all over the world. What else can you do to keep kids intrigued by writing?

And what about getting published?So many students want to get their work out for others to see. How can a teacher help with this dream?

In response, I've written an article called "Now what?"that provides tips and encouragement for all the great teachers out there who work with kids on poetry and writing.

For those of you who'd like to know more about this book, or if you have question about why and how I wrote it, check out this article:Bronx Masquerade: an Insider's Perspective.

Buyer Beware

In 2002, I wrote the foreword to Dreams by Day, Dreams by Night, a poetry anthology produced by Mondo Publishing of New York. I did not edit the collection, nor gather the poems therein, and yet the publisher chose to promote and sell the book as if I had. They did so without discussing their plans with me or securing my express permission to do so. Please be advised that I have received no remuneration whatsoever from those sales.

Obviously, you are free to purchase whatever book you like. And I will be the first to admit that this is a worthwhile collection of poetry. However, if it is your intention to purchase a Nikki Grimes book, please refer to the titles listed on my website when making your selection. You will not find Dreams by Day, Dreams by Night among them. Further, should you find this title listed among my books on amazon.com or any other website, please be informed that such listings are in error.