make way for dyamonde daniel by nikki grimes

The three navigate high stress situations, all the while, presenting a very real, entertaining, and enjoyable story about 3 little buddies having adventures and exploring their neighborhoods. In this story, Grimes uses Dyamonde, her new friend Free, and their mutually made, new friend Aisha in order to create a dialogue for kids about anger, sorrow, loss, fear, hunger, and community. Grimes often pairs friendships across gender and/or financial and/or race lines, but she doesn't do it in a 'blind' way- within these friendships, the kids discuss difficult topics and bring attention- with words- the reality that, if these were biographical stories, the characters would have noticed and felt in 'real life'. She makes boys thoughtful, introspective, able to apologize, and kind, and she makes girls the same. Eventually, she befriends the feared new kid and turns out is in a similar situation. She is trying to fit in and make new friends, but everyone already has there own group of friends. But she does make women strong and brave and curious, and she makes boys the same. Dyamonde Daniel is a spunky little girl who just moved into a new neighborhood after her parents got divorced. It's subtle and moderate- Grimes doesn't 'queer' the configuration of femininity or masculinity- nothing is that drastic about her work. What's becoming one of my favorite attributes of Grimes' writing is her very natural play with gender norms.

With these opening lines, best-selling author Nikki Grimes introduces us to a new character kids are bound to love, a super smart third grader with wild-crazy hair and a can. She's imaginative, playful, proactively willful, and strong, but she's also thoughtful and kind. Dyamonde Daniel was a gem waiting to be discovered. But that's a little the point- Dyamonde is a little girl who sees and understands with empathy and wisdom uncommonly attributed to children. The tone and problem-solving of the protagonist Dyamonde (pronounced 'Diamond') genuinely sounds like a young child's, albeit a bit more reformed than the typical elem. Grimes has a knack for writing in the voice of a child without sounding like an adult trying to do so.

This advanced 2nd - beginner 4th grade book is really precious.

Make way for dyamonde daniel by nikki grimes