Danitra Brown Leaves Town

Bibliography:

Grimes, Nikki. 2002. Danitra Brown Leaves Town. Illus. By Cooper, Floyd. USA. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0060753110.

Plot Summary:

Danitra Brown is leaving town, and her best friend Zuri is not happy at all! Nikki Grimes, the author, has told this story of adventures and friendship through poems in the form of letters that are exchanged between two friends. Readers will find much they can relate to, particularly the characters’ emotions such as Zuri’s anger and jealousy when Danitra leaves town for her summer vacation.

Critical Analysis:

Nikki Grimes’ verse is very clever- flowing from the characters, giving them a witty edge. Throughout the book, the reader experiences the same sights, sounds, and wonders as the girls, and becomes closer to the characters as their friendship is rekindled. And with each letter Danitra and Zuri’s personalities become alive as in “The Dare”:

Dear Zuri,

The kids here pretend to be tougher than they are./ I ignore it mostly, ‘cause they’re nice in their own way./ Besides, I think they may just be trying to impress the “city kid.”/ Today they dared me to climb up into a tree, and, of course I did./ Then they yelled, “Okay Miss Big-Town, jump down.”/ Now, my mother taught me to use my head for more than a hat rack./ So, I climbed back down and said, “A dare is fine with me,/ but jumping from a tree is stupid, and I’m no fool.”/ Then I heard someone whisper, “She’s pretty cool---/ for a city girl.”

This book is a good stepping-stone between picture books and poetry. It is unique in that it tells a story not only through poetry, but poetic letters. For the parent, teacher, or student who is unsure of poetry, this is a great book to begin with. The illustrations in this book are enjoyable and make the characters come to life. The illustrated pages accompanying the poem, “The Bad Good-bye” are especially moving- showing Zuri’s sullen face upon the news that her best friend is leaving town for the summer.

Review Excerpts:

Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown are best friends facing a long summer apart, for Danitra is going to visit her family in the country. They decide to cultivate a series of letters sharing their summer: this presents their insights, with Floyd Cooper providing the illustrative embellishments.

Being familiar with illustrator Floyd Cooper's work from the earlier "Grandpa's Face," I couldn't avoid being drawn to this beautifully drawn children's book. I immediately thought of my five-year-old niece and her passion for reading.

Nikki Grimes' tale is one to which all can relate: the longing for a friend that has relocated. Through a series of "letters," the two girls, Zuri and the title character, share what is happening with each other in the miles that separate them. Such familiar "adventures" as block parties, family reunions, staring at the night sky, making new friends, school, private places, and the eventual reunion are presented in text that children will find most appealing.

Review Accessed at:

http://www.amazon.com/Danitra-Brown-Leaves-Nikki-Grimes/dp/0060753110/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9114379-8309765?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191802642&sr=8-1

Connections:

Grimes, Nikki. 1997. Meet Danitra Brown. Illus. by Cooper, Floyd. Harper Trophy. ISBN 0688154719.

Grimes, Nikki. 2005. Danitra Brown, Class Clown. Illus. by Lewis, E.B. Amistad Books. ISBN 0688172903.