Danitra Brown Leaves Town (A Book Review)

Danitra Brown Leaves Town (Review by Leighanne Massey)

Bibliography

Grimes, Nikki. Danitra Brown Leaves Town. New York: HarperCollins, 2002. ISBN 0688131557

Plot Summary

Summer is approaching and two best friends will be separated for the first time. Throughout the summer and a few letters later, each realizes how to appreciate new friendships and experiences.   

Critical Analysis

Told in flowing verse with 13 poems, occasional internal and ending rhyming that does not sacrifice vocabulary, is the story of a young girl named Zuri who is not happy about her best friend leaving for the Summer. Though it is not easy to decipher between the girls in the beginning, it becomes apparent toward the middle of the text when both girls begin writing each other letters detailing their Summer. 

One such hyperbolic example of their dialogue is described from the poem 'First Night' in which Danitra describes to Zuri how the sky in the country is a "thick overcoat all buttoned up with stars. At midnight, I stretched my arms out to slip the darkness on..."  Coupled with the colorful and realistic photo-like paintings from Floyd Cooper, the reader gains a glimpse of Zuri and Danitra's lives and special friendship. Many readers will pick up this book and find it easy to place themselves within the childhood nostalgia of Fourth of July parties and nighttime fireflies while reminiscing of Summer vacations' past.
           

Review Excerpt(s)

"This warm sequel to the Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Meet Danitra Brown, shows two friends that their friendship can endure separation for the summer when Danitra goes to visit her extended family in the country while Zuri stays home in the city. Both write letters detailing some of the joys¾of weeding and the night sky, or a street party and making a new friend¾and reveal that they are gutsy, savvy, and affectionate." -Children's Literature

"Zuri describes in verse the summer that she and her best friend Danitra are separated in Danitra Brown Leaves Town by Nikki Grimes, a follow-up to Meet Danitra Brown. Floyd Cooper's luminescent pastels chronicle the long days and Zuri's many moods. ( Jan.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information." 

-Publishers Weekly

"Gr 3-5-Grimes and Cooper return with another story told through poems about Danitra Brown and Zuri Jackson. This time, the friends exchange letters all summer long while Danitra is visiting relatives. Zuri starts out feeling angry and disappointed that Danitra is leaving her behind and doesn't seem to care, but eventually both girls make new friends while they look forward to being together again." -School Library Journal

"Fans of this author-illustrator team's Meet Danitra Brown (1994) will welcome their latest effort about Danitra and her best friend, Zuri Jackson. Told as a series of 13 poems and letters about the joys of summer and the strong bond of true friendship, this will resonate with many young readers who have savored the pleasures of Fourth of July fireworks, picnics and games, block parties, starry summer nights, and family reunions." -Kirkus Reviews

Connections

Other Nikki Grimes books to check out:

Coretta Scott King Book Award Winner (2003):

• Grimes, Nikki. Bronx Masquerade. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 2003. ISBN 9780142501894

Coretta Scott King Book Award Winner (2014):

• Grimes, Nikki. Words with Wings. Pennsylvania: Highlights Press, 2013. ISBN 9781590789858

Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book (2007): 

• Grimes, Nikki. The Road to Paris. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 2008. ISBN 9780142410820

Danitra Brown Leaves Town would be a great resource to use as a read aloud for students who are new to a school and may be missing their old home and friends. It could also be utilized as a resource for letter writing. 

Words with Wings would be a great resource for motivating children and students. Teachers might give it as gifts to students. It is a boost to self-confidence and children with troubled home lives might relate to the main character and find inspiration in its message.

This would be a great read to build self-confidence in students in foster homes, CPS care, or recently placed with other relatives. They may be able to relate to the character and her feelings. 

All three texts center on discovering one's potential and gaining a sense of worth.