Nikki Grimes


Nikki Grimes is an American author of books written for children and young adults, as well as a poet and journalist.
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Background and career

Grimes was born in Harlem, New York.
In a conversation with a Reading Is Fundamental interviewer, she stated: "Books were my survival tools. They were how I got by, and how I coped with things. Books carried me away."
She has been a guest lecturer at international schools in Sweden, Tanzania, China, and Russia. She has written articles for magazines such as Today's Christian Woman and Essence. Her interests and talents are diverse and include photography, fiber art, and beading.
Grimes currently resides in Corona, California, and continues to write poetry and books for children and young adults. She is on the board of directors for the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. Her work has earned her honors and recognition from a number of prestigious organizations.
Her novel Bronx Masquerade was named the Coretta Scott King Award book in 2002. The Coretta Scott King Award is "given to African-American authors and illustrators for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions."
In January 2017, she was awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. "The Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children." Following controversy surrounding Laura Ingalls Wilder's stereotypical portrayals of Indigenous peoples and the subsequent changing of the medal's name to the Children's Literature Legacy Award, Grimes' work was criticized for alleged antisemitism.

Works

Published works

  • Growin': a novel, illustrated by Charles Lilly
  • Something on My Mind, art by Tom Feelings
  • Malcolm X: A Force for Change
  • From a Child's Heart, illustrated by Brenda JoysmithMeet Danitra Brown, illustrated by Floyd Cooper Portrait of Mary Come Sunday, illustrated by Michael BryantWild, Wild Hair, illustrated by George Cephas FordJazmin's Notebook A Dime a Dozen, illustrated by AngeloMy Man Blue, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue Hopscotch Love, illustrated by Melodye Benson RosalesAt Break of Day, illustrated by Paul MorinAneesa Lee and the Weaver's Gift, illustrated by Ashley Bryan
  • Is It Far to Zanzibar?, illustrated by Betsy LewinShoe Magic, illustrated by Terry WidenerA Pocketful of Poems, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
  • Under the Christmas Tree, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
  • Danitra Brown Leaves Town, illustrated by Floyd CooperStepping Out with Grandma Mac, illustrated by AngeloC Is for City, illustrated by Pat CummingsWhen Daddy Prays, illustrated by Tim LadwigBronx Masquerade, Talkin' About Bessie, illustrated by E.B. Lewis Tai Chi Morning, illustrated by Ed YoungA Day with Daddy, illustrated by Nicole TadgellWhat Is Goodbye?, illustrated by Raul Colón It's Raining Laughter, photographs by Myles C. PinkneyAt Jerusalem's Gate, illustrated by David FramptonDanitra Brown, Class Clown, illustrated by E.B. LewisDark Sons, Thanks a Million, illustrated by Cozbi A. CarreraWelcome, Precious, illustrated by Bryan CollierThe Road to Paris, When Gorilla Goes Walking, illustrate by Shane EvansOh, Brother!, illustrated by Mike BennyBarack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, illustrated by Bryan Collier Out of the Dark: Nikki Grimes, Author at Work Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, illustrated by R. Gregory ChristieRich: a Dyamonde Daniel Book, illustrated by R. Gregory ChristieVoices of Christmas, illustrated by Eric VelasquezA Girl Named Mister Almost Zero: a Dyamonde Daniel Book, illustrated by R. Gregory ChristiePlanet Middle School
  • Halfway to Perfect Words with Wings, Coretta Scott King Honor book
  • Chasing Freedom, illustrated by Michele Wood
  • Poems in the Attic, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
  • Garvey's Choice
  • One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance, various artists
  • The Watcher, illustrated by Bryan Collier
  • Ordinary Hazards: a Memoir
  • Bedtime for Sweet Creatures, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
  • Southwest Sunrise, illustrated by Wendell Minor
  • Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice, illustrated by Laura Freeman
  • Off to See the Sea, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Awards and honors

Grimes has received numerous Honor Awards and book lists including Coretta Scott King Honors; Arnold Adoff Poetry Honor; ALA Notable Books; Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor; Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor; Horn Book Fanfare; VOYA Non-Fiction Honor; The Lion & The Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry; International Youth Library White Ravens List; Notable Books for a Global Society.

Interviews

  • on YouTube