Garvey's Choice
by Nikki Grimes (Author) Theodore Taylor III (Illustrator)
Award-winning author Nikki Grimes's beloved novel in verse Garvey's Choice is now a graphic novel, imaginatively and dramatically illustrated by Little Shaq artist Theodore Taylor III.
Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading--anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself and a way to finally reach his distant father--by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.
Garvey's Choice was a School Library Journal Best Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, and a Paterson Prize for Books for Young People Honor Book. With Theodore Taylor III's full-color illustrations, this graphic novel edition is enthralling and inspiring.
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School Library Journal
Gr 4-9--Garvey wants to connect with his father, but feels as though his dad can't accept him for who he is; Dad wants Garvey to be an athlete like his sister, Angela. But Garvey, who is Black, loves astronomy and chess; he escapes into science fiction to make himself feel better. Garvey's dad and sister criticize his eating habits, adding to insecurities he feels as a result of bullying at school related to his weight. His best friend Joe, who is also Black, is caring and supportive; a new friend, Manny, who has albinism, helps Garvey learn to ignore bullying and "crank up the inside volume." Joe encourages Garvey to try out for chorus; singing boosts his confidence and gives him a way to connect with his dad, who used to be in a band. Some of Grimes's original tanka poems have been adjusted, but the novel in verse adapts beautifully to the graphic novel format, and Taylor's art emphasizes the imaginative, poignant, painful, and joyful aspects in turn. Starry night sky illustrations, with characters outlined in white, are striking. Taylor often shows Garvey regarding himself in a mirror, and readers can see how Garvey's feelings about his appearance change throughout. VERDICT This format will attract new readers to a poetic, powerful story of growth. Highly recommended.--Jenny Arch
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Grimes' award-winning tanka poem narrative about a boy struggling to find a place for himself in his family and the world is adapted in this captivating, visually impressive graphic, which looks at Garvey from a slightly different perspective. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
★ Grimes returns to the novel-in-verse format, creating voice, characters, and plot in a series of pithy tanka poems, a traditional Japanese form similar to haiku, but using five lines.... (w)ritten from Garvey's point of view, the succinct verses convey the narrative as well as his emotions with brevity, clarity, and finesse. —Booklist, starred review for Garvey's Choice
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV039230 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Bullying
Cartoons and comics
Singing
Hobbies
