1. Bibliography -
Grimes, Nikki. 1999. HOPSCOTCH LOVE: A FAMILY TREASURY OF LOVE POEMS. Ill. by Melodye Benson Rosales. New York, NY: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. ISBN: 0-688-15667-3
2. Plot Summary –
It is a collection of 22 different kinds of poems - all speaking about all different kinds of love; motherly love, brotherly love, friendly love, sweetheart love, and love for any age! The back cover jacket of the book mentions that “Twenty-two poems celebrate the different faces of love within the African-American community. This valentine delight from award-winning author Nikki Grimes and inspired painter Melodye Benson Rosales has something for every taste, from sweet to sassy to sentimental. Jump in and feel the love!”
3. Critical Analysis –
a. Rhythm:
Nikki Grimes uses all different rhythms in her collection of poems. Some do rhyme, others are written like a verse novel set of poems, and yet others seem to flow like a song. Depending on the kind of love they convey – the rhythm fits the words and meaning of the poems.
b. Rhyme:
The use of matching sounds appears in the poems entitled “Marcus Toussaint”, “Sister Love”, “The Gift”, and the “Sweethearts Dance”. They are all poems in four lines per stanza rhyming fashion.
c. Sound:
Some of Nikki Grimes’ poems almost seem to sing to us! The words she chooses helps add to the drama or music of the poem like in the poem entitled “Hopscotch Love”.
d. Language:
Her choice of words for each poem is a fresh choice and really reflects the mood she is trying to capture. Whether it is love for a boy, a family member, or a life-long lover, her choice of words helps convey the feelings and emotions for that kind of LOVE.
e. Imagery:
In the poem entitled “Words”, Nikki Grimes uses one word sentences to relay her message of sweet love. She creates a visually vivid mental picture with her unique sense of language. Each word brings such an image to mind! Then she surprises us at the end after growing on each previous word that this love may lead to cavities! Brilliant!
f. Emotions:
The illustrations by Melodye Benson Rosales are a wonderful addition to this book! They help convey the emotions of the love that Nikki Grimes is emulating! Whether it is the love of the two old timers dancing on the dance floor or the young girl hopscotching her way through her love poem – toghter they capture the essence of the forever love and the excitement of the young playful love! “Pineapple Surprise” is a favorite for remembering and stirring up emotions for one’s elder – such as a grandmother!
g. Poetry Books:
This book, HOPSCOTCH LOVE, is a great example of a balance of poems! The theme is definitely LOVE and the topics covered are all very varied! Basically, there is a poem for everyone in this book – one that would appeal to any age, gender or circumstance! It is a wonderful treasury of LOVE!
h. Awards & Recognitions:
Hopscotch Love is an ALA Notable and Coretta Scott King honor book.
4. Review Excerpt(s) –
** “Twenty-two poems celebrate the different faces of love within the African-American community. There's something here for every age and every taste, from sweet to sassy to sentimental. A perfect gift of love for anyone, anytime, on any occasion”. -- Amazon
** “This small treasury will lift readers' spirits and touch their hearts”. -- School Library Journal
** “The lines are short; the words are very simple. The red cover and creamy pages fit with the valentine cuddly style”. -- Booklist
5. Connections –
Other poetry books by Nikki Grimes include:
** Grimes, Nikki. (1998). A DIME A DOZEN. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN-10: 0-8037-2227-3 / ISBN-13: 978-08037-2227-9
** Grimes, Nikki. (2001). A POCKETFUL OF POEMS. Ill. by Javaka Steptoe. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN-10: 0-3959-3868-6 / ISBN-13: 978-0395-93868-3
A list of Nikki Grimes’ books includes:
• Bronx Masquerade
• The Road to Paris
• Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
• Talkin' About Bessie
• Oh, Bother! Someone's Fighting
• Meet Danitra Brown
• Dark Sons
• My Man Blue
• Thanks a Million: Poems
• Jazmin's Notebook
• Oh, Bother! Someone's Baby-Sitting s
• Wild, Wild Hair
• A Pocketful of Poems
• When Daddy Prays
• Welcome, Precious
• Come Sunday
• What is Goodbye?
• Oh, Brother!
• When Gorilla Goes Walking
• Danitra Brown Leaves Town
• Walt Disney's Cinderella
• Is It Far to Zanzibar?: Poems About Tanzania
• Danitra Brown, Class Clown
• Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
• It's Raining Laughter: Poems
• A Dime a Dozen
• From a Child's Heart
• Shoe Magic
• At Jerusalem's Gate
• At Break of Day
References
Grimes, Nikki. 1999. HOPSCOTCH LOVE: A FAMILY TREASURY OF LOVE POEMS. Ill. by Melodye Benson Rosales. New York, NY: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. ISBN: 0-688-15667-3
LibraryThing. (2009). Nikki Grimes. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://www.librarything.com/http://www.librarything.com/author/grimesnikki&norefer=1
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