Ordinary Hazards

By Nikki Grimes

A young girl finds solace and strength in writing amidst a turbulent childhood.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,207 ratings

325 pages

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Nikki Grimes faces a tumultuous childhood with a mother battling schizophrenia and an absent father. Shuffled between foster homes and betrayed by those she trusts, Nikki discovers the transformative power of writing at just six years old. Her notebooks become her refuge, guiding her through life's challenges. This poignant memoir in verse reveals how words can heal and empower, offering hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Will Nikki's pen be enough to navigate the chaos and find her voice?

From the publisher

Michael L. Printz Honor BookRobert F. Sibert Honor BookBoston Globe/Horn Book Nonfiction Honor BookArnold Adoff Poetry Award for Teens Six Starred Reviews–★Booklist ★BCCB ★The Horn Book ★Publishers Weekly ★School Library Connection ★Shelf Awareness A Booklist Best Book for Youth A BCCB Blue Ribbon A Horn Book Fanfare Book A Shelf Awareness Best Children’s Book Recommended on NPR’s “Morning Edition” by Kwame Alexander In her own voice, acclaimed author and poet Nikki Grimes explores the truth of a harrowing childhood in a compelling and moving memoir in verse. Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by those she trusted. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic and impact of writing. For many years, Nikki’s notebooks were her most enduing companions. In this accessible and inspiring memoir that will resonate with young readers and adults alike, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of her life.