Words with Wings by: Nikki Grimes

Words with Wings

By: Nikki Grimes

Grimes, N., & Grzeslo, B. (2013). Words with wings. Honesdale: WordSong.

2014 Author Honor Award for the Coretta Scott King Award

Note: This award is given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.

Summary: Words with Wings begins with a young girl, Gabriella who is trying to cope with a new school, making friends, and her parents separation.  Her coping mechanism is her daydreaming.  She explains how just hearing a word can send her deep into daydream land.  Through the story Gabriella struggles to find her own voice and it is not until a special teacher and one new friend help her come together. This short but rather deep story is told through verse as a narrative poem.  It is with the fluid lines and beautifully strung together words that create the imagery that transports us into Gabriella's world.

Activity: This is an excellent book to use for writing class.  After reading the story lead your students in a discussion of how words can bring on all sorts of sensory language.  Demonstrate by writing a word on the board that means something to you.  For me I would pick coffee!  I would then write down all the things I think about when I hear the word coffee; smiles, laughter, cozy mornings on the porch, winter time, catching up with old friends, breakfast with my dad, richness, bold, etc....  After demonstrating have your students choose their own word and brainstorm.  When the brainstorms are complete you can then lead them in using the sensory language to create a narrative poem using short stanzas and lines, resembling Words with Wings.  When all are complete have students present and create a display for all staff and parents to come and enjoy.