Meet Danitra Brown

Citation : Grimes, Nikki. 1994. Meet Danitra Brown. New York, NY: Mulberry Books. ISBN: 0688154719. Plot Summary : Danitra Brown's story is told by her best friend Zuri Jackson. This poetry book is an insightful book into the friendship of two African American girls growing up in the inner city. Their inspiring story of friendship and love is well told by Grimes with sassy rhymes that are short and to the point, just like Danitra Brown. Critical Analysis : This book speaks volumes for the value of friendship. What makes this book so different is the bond that the two African American girls have with each other. Grimes did an exceptional job breaking the stereotype of back stabbing friendships in the African American community. Instead of just looking out for themselves which is often an undertone in many books Grimes from the inception of the book makes it clear to the reader that her best friend is Danitra Brown and she "down" for whatever goes on. Zuri and Danitra learn from each other, but the heroine Danitra as a lot more to teach Zuri than the other way around, "She doesn't mind what people say. She always does things her own way. Her spirit's old, my mom once said." Having an "old spirit" is to be wise beyond your years and Danitra definitely is that. Their friendship is what keeps them sane. In the poem "Coke-bottle Brown" Danitra is being teased or "scored" on by the class mouth Freddy Watson. Zuri is really offended by this but Danitra is above all the small talk, she has "Can't waste time on some boy who thinks if's funny bein' mean. Got books to read and hills to climb that Freddy's never seen." Grimes has created a faithful and intelligent young lady from the beginning to the end. This something that I do not often see in African American literature. Usually the old pattern of growth is laid down, but in this case she is intelligent and has been taught self value. With this she is able educate her friend, thus creating two very positive characters. Danitra has both her parents. Is that saying something to the reader, is that why she carries herself differently? Zuri hails from a single household; is that why she clings so tightly to Danitra? Is she looking for something she herself does not have? This reader does not think so. I genuinely see a friendship and love between them. Accessed Reviews : Publishers Weekly… In a series of poems, an African American girl sings the praises of her best friend and their special relationship. According to Zuri, the speaker here, Danitra is "the most splendiferous girl in town." Zuri respects Danitra's quirks (she wears only purple clothing) and admires her ability to walk away from boys who taunt her about her glasses. Zuri is, moreover, grateful that "Danitra knows just what to say to make me glad." Grimes's poetry has a very deliberate rhyme scheme, but it also smoothly describes a number of vignettes and links them with consistent themes and characterizations. Issues of race, feminism and family structure are delicately incorporated, and successfully build an emotional connection for the reader. From School Library Journal... Grade 2-4-A collection of 13 original poems that stand individually and also blend together to tell a story of feelings and friendship between two African-American girls. Grimes creatively uses the voice of Zuri Jackson to share tales of the girls' moments of admiration, pain, self-assurance, pride in their cultural heritage, sadness, disappointments, play, and their thoughts and feelings about future dreams and aspirations. Cooper's distinguished illustrations in warm dusty tones convey the feeling of closeness. Reviews accessed from www.amazon.com, 6.19.07.

Connections Adoff, Arnold. Black Is Brown Is Tan. ISBN: 0064436446. Grimes, Nikki and E.B. Lewis. Danitra Brown, Class Clown. ISBN: 0688172903.Myers, Walter Dean. Brown Angels: An Album of Pictures and Verse. ISBN: 0064434559