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On sale:
September 2011
Price:
$15.99
Format:
Hardcover
Size:
5.0625 x 7.75 in
Pages:
160 pp
Ages:
10-14
Grades:
4-8
ISBN-13: 9781599902845
ISBN-10: 1599902842
Planet Middle School
By Nikki Grimes
Book Description
A fresh story of heartbreak and hope from award-winning author Nikki Grimes
For twelve years, Joylin Johnson's life has been just fine, thank you very much. A game of basketball with the boys-especially her friend Jake-was all it took to put a smile on her face. Baggy jeans, T-shirt, and hair in a ponytail were easy choices. Then suddenly the world seemed to turn upside down, and everything changed at once. Her best girl friend is now flirting with her best guy friend. Her clothes seem all wrong. Jake is acting weird, and basketball isn't the same. And worst of all, there is this guy, Santiago, who appears from . . . where? What lengths will Joy go to-and whom will she become-to attract his attention?
In short poems that perfectly capture the crazy feelings of adolescence and first crushes, award-winning author Nikki Grimes has crafted a delightful, often hilarious, hearttugging story.
“Her [Grimes’] accessible verse and clear themes of self-acceptance and open-mindedness ring true. A work that should help adolescent readers find the courage and humor to grow into the individuals they already are.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Through breezy prose poems Grimes explores the tension between individuality and gender-role conformity and takes on young adolescent concerns such as changing friendships, the shift in boy/girl relationships, and first crushes. Her realistic novel has solid middle-school appeal and avoids preaching.”—The Horn Book Magazine
“Each entry captures universal moments of confusion, anger, guilt, and fun…this will spark discussion in the middle-school classroom.”—Booklist
“Joylin’s voice is revealed in spare, well-paced verse. The story is by turns touching and laugh-out-loud funny, and readers will appreciate the time they spend with Joylin, her family, and her friends as they live, grow, and learn as individuals and together.”—School Library Journal, starred review
©2012 Bloomsbury
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