Bronx Masquerade

1. Bronx Masquerade By Nikki Grimes

2. Nikki Grimes Nikki Grimes was born in Harlem, New York in 1950. After her parents split up, she and her sister were separated and had to live in foster care. When Nikki was 10, she was reunited with her mother.

3. Nikki Grimes • She has written over 45 books for children and young adults, and several have won prestigious book awards. • She has also illustrated books, produced TV shows, and makes jewelry.

4. In an interview she said, “Books were my survival tools. They were how I got by, and how I coped with things. Books carried me away. They helped me to dream of other places. They took me outside of the limits of my own environment. Reading was huge in my life. I was bounced around a lot. I didn’t grow up in a home where I had my own books. My reading was dependent on the library. I read ravenously”.

5. Bronx Masquerade • Published in 2003 • Won the Coretta Scott King Book Award that year

6. Book Review of Bronx Masquerade “A flowing, rhythmic portrait of the diversity and individuality of teen characters in a classroom in Anywhere, U.S.A...Readers meet Tyrone, an aspiring songwriter who sees no use for school; Lupe, who thinks that becoming a mother would give her the love she lacks in her life; and Janelle, who is struggling with her body image...readers will recognize and empathize with these teens. As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they're looking for—real characters who show them they are not alone." School LibraryJournal