Bibliographic Information:
Title: Ordinary Hazards
Author: Nikki Grimes
ISBN: 978-1629798813
Publisher: Wordsong
Copyright Date: October 8, 2019
Reading Level / Interest Level: Min/Max grade levels 10-12 (Novelist).
Genre / Format: Autobiography, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Poetry / Book
Themes: Childhood and Youth, Trauma, Healing
Awards or Honors: ALA Notable Children's Books - Older Readers Category (2020)
Author Background: Nikki Grimes is an African America author, poet from Harlem, New York. She has an extensive body of work for both children and young adult poetry and has been a guest lecturer all over the world including Russia, China, Sweden, and Tanzania. Most recently, Nikki Grimes has been awarded the 2020 ALAN award for outstanding contribution to young adult literature.
Plot Summary: Ordinary Hazards is an autobiographical memoir told in verse. Nikki Grimes examines moments in her childhood through poems and short diary entries. As she describes in her book, her schizophrenic mother ended up destroying her original diaries which had hundreds of original poems written by the author. The collection of poems in Ordinary Hazards are based on the author's own memory and hours of interviews with those close to her that knew her story. Shunned and abused, Nikki Grimes details how, despite all those struggles and trauma, she wrote on and lived her life.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items: Some of the poems are difficult to get through because they are so personal, raw, and incredibly heartbreaking: to think that a child could go through so much abuse and neglect is just devastating. I had to take a couple of breaks in between reads because while it is a short book, the emotional toll can wear you down. Nikki Grimes does also include lighter moments of her childhood, showing that while she was navigating all of that darkness, there was light and magic in her world. Her writing is powerful and full of emotion. Overall, Ordinary Hazards is a powerful, personal exploration of a traumatic, yet inspiring childhood.
Creative Use for a Library Program: Write your own Poem -- Blackout Poetry Teens will be walked through the process of writing poetry by blacking out text from withdrawn material. Using recycled text and extracting words to find new meaning is known as blackout poetry. For inspiration, a display will be created highlighting a diversity of poems and writing styles.
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer: A traumatic childhood told in verse. From the age of six, Nikki Grimes began writing about the world around her, documenting her experiences growing up, shunned by a schizophrenic and a mostly-absent father. Experience this incredibly powerful, personal journey through the powerful poems of Nikki Grimes.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: This book covers some heavy topics such as abuse and trauma. Concerned parents may challenge the book because it covers sensitive topics about young children. I would empathize with the parents about the sensitive nature of the material, but would argue that it's more reason to include the book in the collection. To avoid these topics would not make the issues explored in the book any less true or relevant.
Reason for Inclusion: Many of the traumatic experiences shared in this personal story occurred to a young child. Though it can be difficult to get through, it is an important, powerful collection of personal stories. With a conversation and guidance, Ordinary Hazards can be a good starting point to talk about trauma. Ordinary Hazards can also be used as an example of verse storytelling: young readers can explore verse as a narrative form.
Enhancements
A teen from Toronto Public Library reviews Ordinary Hazards
2020 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Final Performances