"No one warned me
the world was full of
ordinary hazards
like closets with locks and keys." (pg. 22)

My second Nikki Grimes novel, and I was not disappointed. I picked it up off the library shelf when the intriguing title (and stark cover) caught my eye. A beautiful memoir through verse, showing that we can persevere even though we are all broken. Reading about her experiences almost made me cry; she has been through a lot. I would recommend this book for older teens and adults (contains pg-13 content).

I only took off a star because it took me awhile to get into the raw and honest style of her poetry, and in terms of other contemporary poets I've read the poetry itself isn't my favorite. But the story... that is a different matter. It must have taken great bravery for Grimes to share her heart in this way after being hurt by people close to her. ( )

Nikki Grimes writes a riveting verse memoir about her childhood and teenage years. The memoir flows from page to page, making you want to keep reading.

Nikki, not her real name, lived with a schizophrenic mother who was unable to care for Nikki or her sister. Their mother would go in and out of treatment facilities when she would stop taking her medicine and rely on alcohol. The sisters are separated at a fairly young age when they are placed in foster care. Nikki stays with a wonderful family who show her what family truly is, giving her a couple of brothers. When Nikki returns to her mother, Carol remains in foster care. Nothing good happens with mom and her new man. Be aware the abuse from this man is briefly described while the rest is left to inference. Carol can no longer live with them after her very brief return. Nikki can only do so much to protect herself and her mother, not understanding why her mother stays with this horrible, abusive man. In addition to having a mother who is incapable of taking care of herself, much less her children, Nikki moves from house to house as her mother can't stay in one location. Every time she starts a new school, the curriculum is ending where the curriculum had been beginning in the previous school. Nikkie only feels comfortable writing. She writes all of the time and gets good grades. She does get to see and spend time with her sister separately from her mother's various homes and sees her father regularly after not seeing him for a very long time.

Nikki's father opens up a different world for her. Nikki and her sister adore their father, a musician. He seems to know everybody in the arts world. He takes Nikki to see black artists--from musicians to writers to performers. She continues wonders how he knows all of these people. These instances cement her knowledge of the black community and wanting to support the community. By the end of her teenage years, Nikki has found her own passion and knows that she must be independent from her mother.

I find people who have such horrible childhoods and become successful amazing. She's an award winning author! She has an amazing talent and this memoir demonstrates her skills. Be prepared for a heart-wrenching true story that shows a strength to overcome. ( )

What a beautiful book. Books written in prose are now a favorite of mine: they capture the essence of the writer in a way that regular writing lacks. Nikki Grime's story of mental health, foster care, growing up as an African American in a more segregated time, faith, and writing through joy and pain.....all of that is in this book.

I see why it was given both a Printz honor (excellence in young adult fiction) and a Sibert honor (excellence in informational books). It truly captures life. I highly recommend this book. ( )

CW: alcohol abuse, mental health, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, child abandonment.

A moving and well crafted memoir written in verse. Having read the author's notes I understand the notebook entries were based on her fragmented memory and her imagination, however they were hard to read as they felt quite disjointed. This is undoubtedly intentional but it did ruin the flow that was so beautiful in the verse sections. A wonderful example of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of resilience. ( )

This is a beautiful memoir written in poetry or verse. I read this primarily because it is on a banned book list for kids. The book was written with young adults in mind, but is just as compelling to an adult, like myself. There is absolutely no reason a young adult should be prevented from reading this story. Filled with the struggles of the author to deal with a mentally ill and alcoholic mother, foster homes, and more, this memoir ends with hope. ( )