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Summary
Summary
Paris has just moved in with the Lincoln family, and isn't thrilled to be in yet another foster home. She has a tough time trusting people, and she misses her brother, who's been sent to a boys' home. Over time, the Lincolns grow on Paris. But no matter how hard she tries to fit in, she can't ignore the feeling that she never will, especially in a town that's mostly white while she is half black. It isn't long before Paris has a big decision to make about where she truly belongs.
Nikki Grimes has created a portrait of a young girl who, in the midst of being shuffled back and forth between homes and realizing things about other people and the world around her, gradually embarks on the road to discovering herself.
Author Notes
Nikki Grimes was born and raised in New York City. She began writing poetry at age six and is well-known for writing award-winning books primarily for children and young adults. Bronx Masquerade and Talkin' About Bessie both won Coretta Scott King Awards, and her poetry collections featuring Danitra Brown are very popular. Grimes received the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 2006.
She has written articles for magazines including Essence and Today's Christian Woman, as well as hosted radio programs in New York and Sweden. She has lectured and read her poetry at schools in Russia, China, Sweden, and Tanzania. Grimes is also a prolific artist, creating works of fiber art, beaded jewelry, peyote beading, handmade cards, and photography.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
After Paris and her older brother are put into separate foster homes, she begins to accept her new family. But when her mother reappears, Paris must decide where home really lies. Ages 8-up. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Biracial foster child Paris goes to live with the Lincoln family in upstate New York when her older brother is sent to a home for ""incorrigible"" boys. Paris slowly learns to trust the Lincolns, and when her birth mother tries to reunite the family, Paris must make a difficult decision. In this moving tale, Grimes effectively portrays the complexities of family dynamics. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4-7. In clear, short chapters, Grimes tells a beautiful story of family, friendship, and faith from the viewpoint of a child in search of home in a harsh world. Nine-year-old Paris' closest bond is with her older brother, Malcolm, who protects her when their alcoholic mother has no use for them and when they flee their abusive foster home. Then Paris is placed in a loving foster family, but the price is separation from Malcolm. What is more, as a biracial kid in a mainly white neighborhood, it's difficult for her to find a friend, and the racism is ugly. Her foster brother tells her to keep God in her pocket, something she never forgets, even when she must leave because her birth mother wants to give this family thing another go. The big upheavals are quietly told; and although God is Paris' support, the religion is not didactic. The foster family is kind but never idealized, just as Paris' birth mother is not demonized. In one hilarious scene, Paris tricks the self-important therapist, and it is the human story behind the case file that readers will remember. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2006 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-Paris Richmond, age 9, has spent her short life trying to find home. Home is not with her African-American alcoholic mother, her unknown white father, her cold-hearted grandmother, or the abusive foster homes that she has endured. The one constant is Paris's life is her beloved brother Malcolm. When the foster care system splits up the siblings, Paris is devastated. Malcolm is sent to a boys' home, and Paris must travel across the state to live with the Lincoln family. Experience has taught her to keep her expectations low, but this time is different. Paris is treated with respect and given her own room. She comes to love her new brothers and develops admiration for her foster parents. As the school year unfolds, Paris makes a friend and finds a sense of peace singing in the church choir. She begins to trust herself, her new family, and God. As a biracial child living in a predominantly white neighborhood, Paris navigates her way through bigotry and, as much as she loves her new family, wonders if she will ever fit in. When her mother calls and tells Paris that she wants to give the "family thing" another try, Paris must choose the right path for herself. Narrator Myra Lucretia Taylor admirably interprets this Coretta Schott King Honor Book (Putnam, 2006) by Nikki Grimes. A satisfying, poignant story for middle-school listeners.-Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Eight-year-old Paris Richmond has never had it easy. Her white father walked out on the family; her black mother tends to drink when she's lonely. Only Paris's older brother Malcolm is a constant, even when they are sent to live with an awful foster mother. When the children run away, Family Services separates them and Paris must face a strange new foster family and a new school on her own. The Lincolns turn out to be a good foster family, and Paris spends a year learning to trust others, God and herself. She finds not being entirely forthcoming can be as painful as being false, and she finds in her new strength forgiveness for her birth mother. Grimes has created a real little girl whose growth is perfectly paced and believable. The characters around her are not all perfectly realized, but Paris's story is touching and worth a place in most collections. Given the dearth of success stories featuring foster children and bi-racial characters, this is all the more important. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
