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Ordinary Hazards
Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir | Nikki Grimes
12 posts | 7 read | 7 to read
"This powerful story, told with the music of poetry and the blade of truth, will help your heart grow."--Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak and Shout "[A] testimony and a triumph."--Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way Down In her own voice, acclaimed author and poet Nikki Grimes explores the truth of a harrowing childhood in a compelling and moving memoir in verse. Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by those she trusted. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic and impact of writing. For many years, Nikki's notebooks were her most enduing companions. In this accessible and inspiring memoir that will resonate with young readers and adults alike, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of her life.
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DebbieGrillo
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Pickpick

A memoir of a young black writer who shares her traumatic upbringing. This is a story of hope, triumph, and light. A testament to the resilience available to all of us.

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DebbieGrillo
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"Stop!"

Compelled to write.

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DebbieGrillo
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"But now my need
for light and truth is greater than
my fear of murky memories.
Time to grab my flashlight
and step into the tunnel."

#poetrymatters

43 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ReadingRachael
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Pickpick

In this YA coming of age memoir, Nikki Grimes has the reader come along with her as she navigates through a childhood that is rife with instability and trauma. She also writes of small kindnesses, moments of joy, and how she summoned courage to remain hopeful for better days ahead. Beautifully written, primarily in verse with snippets of childhood notebook entries throughout. Highly recommend (FYI - many CW apply) #DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 12mo
10 likes1 comment
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megnews
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Pickpick

Excellent memoir in verse.

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Eggs
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Touching memoir told in verse

#butterfly #windsofmarch

ShelleyBooksie This sounds powerful 3y
Eggs It is-I would read anything she wrote ❤️ @ @ShelleyBooksie (edited) 3y
60 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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coffeewithbooks
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Next read. Not sure if I am going be able to finish it for #bookspin #bookbingo #doublespinbingo #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks but really going try to .

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Even if you're late, just let me know which month it's for when you tag me in the review, and I'll get you checked off!! 4y
coffeewithbooks @TheAromaofBooks awesome thanks. I sure will 😊 4y
45 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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These are just a handful of the black authors (YA/MG) that I LOVE 💕 dearly

#blackvoices
@ShyBookOwl

ShyBookOwl Thx for sharing these! I actually haven't read any of them 😳 4y
Eggs My pleasure @ShyBookOwl 4y
Julsmarshall Love Jason Reynolds and I see others here I need to read! 4y
See All 6 Comments
Eggs Great❣️ @Julsmarshall 4y
SaunteringVaguelyDownwards I have One Last Word out now for my Children's Lit summer class--looking forward to it! 4y
Eggs ❤️ Nikki G @SaunteringVaguelyDownwards (edited) 4y
74 likes6 comments
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BookInMyHands
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Pickpick

I loved this memoir in verse. It is so impossibly distilled. Gorgeous. I couldn‘t put it down.

Grimes‘s life as a youth was difficult and yet, she finds beauty, and hope and faith. She deftly draws the reader into understanding how writing saved her life, again and again.

#poetry
#readingwomenofcolor2019

45 likes2 stack adds
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Eggs
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Hope has its proof
Your hand in mine, singing
Life has a beautiful, crazy design
And time seemed to say
Forget the world and all its weight🎶

Nikki Grimes‘ story told in verse gives hope to troubled humans anywhere. She wrote through her darkest times, and on that #amazingday that she met James Baldwin, she believed her dreams...
#julycoldplay

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Zbayardo
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Pickpick

To go back and unlock the memories and experiences that you locked away and shoved into oblivion in order to survive and then write it all down and share it with the world takes nothing but courage. What an amazing piece of writing; a healing piece of work. If you love to read memoirs, if you love to read poetry, if you love to read books written in verse, READ THIS BOOK. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #favoriteread2019 #5StarRead #SummerReading

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SarahBradley
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Where do memories hide? They sneak into hard to reach crevices and nestled quietly until some random thought or question burrows in, hooks one by the tail, and pulls. Finally, out into the light it comes sheepishly.” **Ah-ma-zing memoir in verse!!! Coming Oct.