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Words with Wings

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about the book

 

Named for the angel Gabriel, Gabby is a daydreamer. All day long she could be lost in her imagination, which feeds on words and creates new worlds for her to explore.

Gabby finds that she must escape more often after her parents separate and she is forced to move to a new school. Her daydreams become more vivid, and she becomes in danger of losing herself in them completely—to the detriment of her school work, friendships, and family.

Fortunately, her wonderful new teacher is here to help! Her teacher inspires Gabby to turn her imagination and daydreaming into writing. He encourages her to write down her own words and make stories out of them.

Gabby is going to become a writer!

teachingbooks-logoabout the author

Nikki Grimes was born in Harlem, New York. By the time she was six, she was writing poetry. She gave her first public reading at thirteen. Although her father, a violinist and composer, encouraged her creative side, her mother said writer’s were “a dime a dozen.” As her parents’ marriage ended bitterly, Nikki was shuttled from one relative to another, finally ending up in foster care.

Nikki studied English literature and African languages at Rutgers University. She was such an avid reader that professors had to come up with alternative reading list because she had already read the required material. After graduating she continued to study languages as she traveled to Africa.

The Coretta Scott King Award winner writes for both adults and children. Nikki travels extensively, speaking and teaching. She has sung and danced in the US, Europe, and Asia. She produced and hosted radio programs in New York City and Stockholm, Sweden. Her photography has been shown and published internationally. Nikki is also known for her textile and jewelry designs.

This busy lady works six days a week, juggling writing with the business end of being an author as well as all her other interests. She makes her home in Corona, California.

Sources :
Author website
Author biography : Scholastic
Author interview : Essential Learning Products

Also by Nikki Grimes:
Poems in the Attic. Lee & Low Books. May 2015.
Chasing Freedom : The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony Inspired by Historical Facts. Orchard Books. 2015.
The Dyamonde Daniel books. Putnam Publishing. 2009-2012.
Barack Obama : Son of Promise, Child of Hope. Simon & Schuster. 2008.
Talkin’ About Bessie : The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman. Orchard Books. 2002.

teachingbooks-logoread more!

 

The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli
Bindi tries to adjust to her new life after her parents separate. Dad looks for work in another town. She and her mom move into an apartment over The Dancing Pancake, a cafe her mother opens with her aunt. Bindi starts to make new friends, but after so many changes, is there any possibility her parents might get back together?

 

 

 

Grow by Juanita Havill
Kate and big Berneetha want to turn a messy vacant lot into a beautiful community garden. The neighbors think that Berneetha is crazy, but soon many of them want to lend a hand in the project. When Kate and her crew learn that the owner of the lot is going to build a parking garage on the land, they must rally together to try and save their garden.

 

 

Poems in the Attic by Nikki Grimes
When visiting her grandma’s house, a young girl discovers a box of poems written by her mother. The poems show the different experiences her mother had while moving all over the United States and abroad when she growing up. Feeling closer to her mother, the girl decides to make her mother a gift: a book of her own poems with copies of her mother’s.