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Origami

“Moms got a talent for origami, but she can‘t fold me into the jock Dad wants me to be. At least, she knows no to try.”

This story is intended for children grades 4-8. After reading the novel I would agree with that statement. The story is written using the “Tanka“ (translated to “short poems“) writing style. Which originated in the Japanese culture. I found this style of writing to be very suitable for readers within this grade band. This story sends a
powerful and meaningful message to its readers. One that I believe is appropriate for students of this age.

The book follows a young African American boy named Garvey who is pressured by his father to become an athlete but unfortunately, he does not share the love of sports but rather anything but. It is structured in stanzas rather than paragraph form. A lot of students can feel comforted by the message of not wanting what their parents want, or maybe feeling like an outcast and seeing that they are not alone can be comforting.

Review:
The style of the book is in “tonkas“ which are similar to poetry. Garvey is the protagonist and his dad has always wanted him to be an athlete as it is a stereotypical thing for African Americans to be in sports. Garvey feels alone since he does not like sports but feels pressure to be one. Instead, he joins the choir and finds himself in it. The theme is overcoming obstacles and finding yourself.

Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes is a realistic fiction novel for early childhood. Garvey's father has always wanted him to be an athlete but Garvey is interested in everything but sports. Garvey's life transforms when his one and only buddy persuades him to join the school chorus. Garvey finds a new soloist and, via music rather than sports, a means of self-acceptance and, ultimately, a means of communicating with his estranged father.

Garvey‘s father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When Joe encourages him to join the school choir, Garvey‘s life changes. The choir finds a new soloist in him, and through it, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.

Relatable content!

#choice #artfulaugust @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

For all the kids who feel they are different, who feel they don‘t fit in, who are called names, who are searching for their place in the world, this short novel in verse is a beacon of hope.

The debate of readers everywhere

If you haven‘t tried Nikki Grimes, give it a shot, especially anything written in verse. Garveys dad wants him to be athletic like his older sister, but Garvey likes astronomy, sci-fi, reading, and food...anything but sports. Garvey wants to bridge the distance with Dad without losing his Self....
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

☀️ Nikki Grimes is one of my favorites along with Whitehead, Jason and Justin Reynolds, Kwame, Walter D. Myers, Tiffany Jackson and so many more...

☀️ Adam Fortunate Eagle and Sherman Alexie - 2 favorites

#two4tuesday @TheSpineView

I really enjoyed this book about a young boy finding his way in the world.

“The perfect size is happy“

I believe this book would be a better pick for 6th graders. It is a longer read, and has heavier content for them to understand.

Full Book- This book was a great read. The summary of the book is that the dad who is interested in sports tries to get his son interested in sports as well. Garvey has the talent of singing. Garvey is often bullied through school and singing allows him to escape from this. I believe the author also does a great job of not stereotyping the main character.

“Stories are breadcrumbs.
Just follow the trail of books
and you will find me
lost among the galaxies
of scorched stars and ships to Mars.“

I like how this book is written in the Tanka form of poetry which is originated from Japan. It's meaning is “short poem“.

This book is about a young boy, Garvey, who is trying to find his place at school, within his family, and the world. He is also bullied because of his weight, his quietness, and his intelligence. His dad was an athlete and wants his son to be as athletic as his older sister. Garvey does have a hidden talent though, he can sing. This book is very relatable to a child's reality and would be positive to read.

“Maybe i‘m not thin, but skinny isn‘t perfect. The perfect size is happy.”

LOVED THIS BOOK. I teared up at the end because it was so meaningful and good. Would definitely have children read this book!

This realistic fiction book is amazing!! I loved reading it so much. I loved that it was in verse and that the whole book was a quick read! This story hits home for me because the boy eats to hide his emotions and that‘s what I have always done. I love thay this book talks about a child and a father who don‘t have anything to relate on. The story is so true for so many people and really brings to life the struggles lots of kids have. 10/10 love!

“Peeled myself from bed for the morning rush to school.”

This is a great children‘s novel and even though it‘s written in poetry form, it sends an important message to kids about being yourself.

This is about a boy and his father who don‘t see eye to eye on things Garvey should be interested in. This is a great book for kids because the central theme is learning to accept yourself and love yourself and learn how to communicate with people who think differently than you do.

Short, but big on showing your true self.

Garvey loves books and chess. Dad wants him to be a jock. Garvey feels unseen by Dad and turns to food. Teased at school, his best friend encourages him to join chorus. Here, a new friend gives Garvey bits of wisdom to help him silence the unkind words and focus on finding himself and sharing his true self with the world.

Told through Tanka poems

#huggable #2019novelinverse

“Round still, but that‘s fine. Feeling good outside and in”

Cute book with short poems on each page that tell the story. Tells an important theme of being who you are despite what people say about you.

2016, contemporary literature. Garvey is a young boy who loves books and inventing stuff. His father wants him to be a tough jock though. He gets teased and tainted for being awkward and overweight. He wants people to see the type of person he really is.

Little but it packs a punch. Garvey just wants to connect with his father but his Dad wants him to play sports instead of read. Finding friendship, self acceptance and away to connect with those around him, Garvey becomes who he was meant to be. “Round still, but that‘s fine. Feeling good outside and in. Maybe I‘m not thin,but skinny isn‘t perfect. The perfect size is happy.”

Written in 'tanka' verse

Enjoyed this novel in verse about a boy coming to terms with who he is as I gazed at this rainbow. I love the explanation about the poetic form used.

I love novels in verse!

#middlegrademay

Garvey doesn't relate well to his dad who wants him to be athletic, and he's plagued by name calling at school. But if he has the courage to find his voice, maybe he can change his life.

I'm a fan of Nikki Grimes and this quick novel in verse is a gem.

#crossculturalstories

Manny: " My mom says, 'Shine your light, no one will care what size candle holds the flame.'"

keeping it real....

My son did some school work at the library today, giving me enough time to read this delightful story in verse. The story is simple but the themes of identity and acceptance are exceptionally well done - especially in a book with so few words!

From Garvey's Choice:
Pressure from his Dad makes Garvey uncomfortable in his skin. I think the poetry works really well for this book.

Garvey is an overweight boy. His Father wants him to be athletic, Garvey just wants to be seen as himself. When he wins a solo in chorus and makes new friends, things start to turn around. Told in a poetry form I was unfamiliar with: Tanka, a short poem in Japanese which is five lines long. This was wonderful.
The family gathers
for the first weekly huddle,
minus me. So what?
By kickoff, I'm knee-deep in
learning how to wrinkle time.
😊👍