1.Bibliography-Grimes,Nikki.2005.
Danitra Brown,Class Clown.
Ill.by E.B.Lewis.New York,NY:Amistad.
ISBN-13:978-0688172909
2.Plot Summary
Everyone should have a friend like Danitra Brown. Zuri, shy and bad at math, is certainly glad that she does. Told from Zuri's point of view,this book chronicles Zuri's difficulties at school. Luckily, the irrepressible Danitra helps Zuri and makes every school day memorable.
Danitra has
"One of a kind hairdo
One of a kind smile
Singular appetite
Singular style
Original thinker
Ignoring every trend
Matchless tutor
Matchless friend."
3.Critical Analysis
The vibrant watercolors by E.B. Lewis portray the purple-wearing Danitra and the shyer ,more subdued Zuri. The school yard and classroom are filled in with enough visual detail to seem extremely real. Even the less focused shapes of the classmates in the background are portrayed with verve and appeal,while in the foreground,the portrayal of Zuri and Danitra seems very natural and works like a snapshot by freezing an important moment in time.
The lively rhymes perfectly capture the friendship of Zuri and Danitra.
The poetry flows well and represents the progress of the school year from shyness and fear to admiration and hope. The words rhyme at the end of each line, creating a natural flow that does not sound forced.This perfect rhyme scheme creates an exciting yet reassuring pattern. Grimes creates a feeling of affection for Danitra by showing that Zuri calls her my Danitra.
The rythym of the verses mirror the subject matter. When Grimes writes in bursts that Danitra"twirled and leaped and stamped her feet" it is easy to hear the poem as a stamping sort of dance.In poems like Miss Volchek the poet uses consonance with the hard sound of the letter r in the middle of the words"mister",year",Wexler" and teacher" to convey a sense of slight resentment against the new teacher.
Grimes also masters the art of describing characteristics without resorting to mere lists of character traits. Instead, her descriptions are filled with little details,like the unconventional contents of Danitra's lunch,symbolic of Danitra's easygoing non-conformity. These details, conveyed in every-day language, bring the characters to life.Even the names like Ms.Volcheck and the name of Zuri's crush ,Wardell, seem realistically taken from a classroom roster.
The language effectively conveys the emotions of love,affection,admiration,fear through falling and rising ryhthym and either more reticient or more assertive sounds.
Review Excerpts
School Library Journal
Starred Review."Grimes's text, a running sequence of titled verses, neatly voices the critical self-examination of preadolescent girls. Lewis's detailed watercolor paintings create energy of their own, revealing the girls' emotions with visualization of both joyous expressions and thoughtful moments."
Horn Book
"Lewis's watercolors contrast the almost-bland, fearful Zuri and the purple-wearing, ebullient Danitra with effective use of body language, clothing, and facial expressions, conveying not only their differing personalities but also their great friendship,"
Connections:
This is a good book to start a discussion on friendship.
Before the discussion,have children perhaps read their favorite parts of this book in unison. This book must be read aloud to be fully appreciated.
Have children describe their best friends.What do they like about them? Does Danitra have the same qualities? How are their own best friends like Danitra and how are they different? What makes someone your best friend?
On her website, Nikki Grimes even suggests making a check list of all the special things about your best friend.
Gather other books that celebrate friendship such as:
One that younger children will enjoy, Girls Together by Sherley Anne Williams.Ill. By Synthia Saint James .ISBN:9780152309824
Other books in this series-
Book 1:Meet Danitra Brown
ISBN: 9780688120733
Book 2:Danitra Brown Leaves Town
ISBN:9780688131555
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