Bibliography: Grimes, Nikki. 2009. Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel Book. Ill. by R. Gregory Chrisitie. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 9780399251764Plot Summary: What does it mean to be rich? Is it how much money you have, or could it be something else? Something more? There is a poetry contest at the local library with a cash prize of $100 for the winning poem. The top 3 poems will also be published on the Kid's Page of the Sunday newspaper. Dyamonde's best friend wants to win the contest. He already has an idea about how he is going to spend his winnings, but the quietest girl in school also signs up for the contest. Dyamonde wants to learn more about this girl, and it is through this new friendship she really learns what it is to be rich.
Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers): Nikki Grimes has created an inspiring character in Dyamonde Daniel. Rich is the second book in the Dyamonde Daniel series. This book is told in short chapters, so it is an excellent choice for beginning or struggling readers.
Rich is a story about faith, family, and friendship. It opens with a quick description of the main characters in the story: Dyamonde (a third grader who likes to know everything that is going on), her best friend Free (who dreams buying all of the video games wants), Damaris (the quiet girl in class who never talks), and Dyamonde's mom (a single parent). The story takes place in school, Dyamonde's apartment, and her favorite store where she goes treasure hunting.
The African American culture is all around, but it is not all-consuming. The names of the characters and the illustrations throughout the story are what identify this the most. Dyamonde will start to use language such as "that don't mean" but she quickly corrects herself by saying, "that doesn't mean". All of the characters have hairstyles that are common with the African American culture- braids, Afro, and dreadlocks.
This story is told in the third person. It opens with Dyamonde and Free looking into a store window and Free talking about hating to be poor. Dyamonde lets him know that he is not poor. He has clothes, food, a place to live, and friends to count on. Free accepts this, but that doesn't change his mind in wanting that video game in the window! The next day at school their teacher announces a poetry contest with a $100 prize for first place. Free loves poetry, so he is excited to enter. Dyamonde prefers math, so she decides not to enter the contest. She notices the quietest girl in class raises her hand, and this makes her very curious. She befriends Damaris and learns that she lives in a shelter with her mom and 2 brothers, and she is very good at writing poetry. Dyamonde encourages her to write about her home so others can understand it, and she ends up winning the contest. Her poem is titled "Rich" and it describes how even though she has lost everything she still considers herself rich due to the friendships she has.
R. Gregory Christie is a three-time recipient of a Coretta Scott King Honor Award in Illustration. His illustrations in Rich are simple black and white illustrations that are geared toward the younger crowd. They are simple, yet they capture the mood completely. It is fun to see the relationship change between Dyamonde and Damaris from classmates to the best of friends.
Review Excerpt(s):
From School Library Journal
When their third grade teacher encourages students to enter a local poetry contest, Dyamonde is not interested. However, her best friend Free sees it as an opportunity to win the $100 prize and purchase a new video game. Damaris, a shy new student, also enters the contest, capturing Dyamonde's attention. The three soon become fast friends even as they discover Damaris' secret—she is living in a homeless shelter. Nikki Grimes's beginning chapter book (Putnam, 2009) features inviting characters, an engaging story, and a look at the challenges of poverty. It also poses the question: What makes one truly rich? The rhythm, pacing, and tone of Grimes's narration is captivating, although she doesn't provide unique voices for each character.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT
From Booklist
Though her best friend, Free, is excited about a poetry contest, Dyamonde has little interest in writing verse. She is curious, though, about Damaris, a new classmate with a secret. Dyamonde befriends her and encourages her to enter the contest with a poem that reveals what she’s been hiding. Featuring several of the same vividly drawn African American characters as the first book in the Dyamonde Daniel series, the second volume looks at the sensitive issues of poverty and homelessness from different angles and in a reassuringly matter-of-fact way. Expressive ink drawings illustrate this fine beginning chapter book. Grades 2-4. --Carolyn Phelan
Connections:
Discussion Questions and Activities:
Dyamonde, Free, and Damaris become best friends. Describe your best friends and explain how they became your best friends.
Why do you think Damaris hid the fact she lived in a homeless shelter?
Write a poem about your family or your friends.
Essay topic: "What Being Rich Means to Me"
What would you do with $100?
Other Books by Nikki Grimes:
From the Dyamonde Daniel Series: Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel ISBN 9780399251757 and Almost Zero ISBN 9780399251771
Oh, Brother! ISBN 9780688172947
Welcome Precious ISBN 9780439557023
When Gorilla Goes Walking ISBN 9780439317702
Danitra Brown, Class Clown ISBN 9780688172909
No comments:
Post a Comment