Comments on: The Color of Character

By: Nick K

Nick K — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:07:30 +0000

In reply to Autumn P. Hello, I just want to start out saying Nikki I loved your book "Bronx Masquerade" and I believe that no matter what color the The Characters are the message and Impact should not be any diffrent. The Story is great because everyone can relate to the charcters feelings. I noticed that every character was afraid to share their feelings in the begining of "Open Mike Fridays" but towards the end they were venting there feeling and i really liked that because you could see the other side of them.

By: Nick W

Nick W — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:15:39 +0000

In my English class our class has been reading the "Bronx Masquerade" I believe your characters should not be discriminated on their race. The characters go through issues that people can relate to in real life and many people relate. They write poems that are very inspiring. My favorite character is Devon because he is not afraid to express himself. My favorite poem is "Bronx Masquerade" by Devon because it explains how he is exhausted from hiding who he is and under that tough guy disguise there is a poet.

By: Ary. B.

Ary. B. — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:55:39 +0000

Reading through this blog, it was with great interest. Usually, students are forced to read these things, and then told to do the work, but for this, I didn't quite mind. I think no matter how hard we try, there will always be people we think of African American's as "not equal" but that never means they are right. I stick my nose in your book, "Bronx Masquerade" and have a hard time taking my nose out of it. I never did though start reading this book and first think you were an African American author, and now that I know, I don't think of you as an author, or as a person every different. You were a natural writer. I can put myself in your characters shoes' and pretend to be them, even though I am white. I think African American authors should actually be recognized more, because it's nice to think that instead of assuming everyone is white, which white people tend to think, we are looking at the world in a whole new perspective. I would never think that you should stop writing. I'm glad you love who you are, everyone should be! Devon Hope is my favorite character in your book, "Bronx Masquerade." Devon is a very athletic kid, an absolute basketball star, and that's all he wants people to see him as. He is afraid to admit he loves to read. But as I continue to read, Devon doesn't just want to be "Jumpshot", he is full of suprises. He is beginning to accept himself, a reader, and letting people know about it too. I can relate to Devon, in someways similar, but not equal. I'm not the geek everyone really thinks I am, or the star. I actually like to chill once in a while, and sometimes I do forget to do my homework. And that's okay. I'm okay with that. Just 100% me. Devon Hope's poem, "Bronx Masquerade" has been my favorite poem so far. It is just the typical life of a teenager I believe. Everyone hides behind a mask at some point, but when you take it off, and show your true colors, that's when you are you."I woke up this morning, exhausted from hiding." This is one of my favorite lines of the poem. "...discover the poet in tough-guy disguise." I love this too. Poetry is a easy way to express yourself. It's almost a conversation, but with so much more emotion. I give props to you Devon, for starting to take off your mask, and to you Ms. Nikki Grimes, please keep writing girl!

By: Taylor Z.

Taylor Z. — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:45:07 +0000

I completely understand how your feeling as if people "Label" Books!Just because someone who is a different color or their from somewhere else other than where we're from shouldn't matter.Pick up the book , sit down , get comfortable and give the book a try! I am reading the Book "Bronx Masquerade" and it completely connects to what your saying. In this book my favorite character is Tanisha. She keeps her head held high and faces her problems. She gets picked on and sometimes guys and girls like/ are jealous of her. She has green eyes and light skin. She has perfect hair and once she was thinking about putting in brown contact lenses to get a little " Uglier". My favorite poem by her is ..,, " It's the blood that tells :slaves black as Mississppi mud ring the trunk of my family tree. They speak through me black as they want to be. The slaver's white drop couldn't stop the spread of African cells. They're bred in the bone, past the slick hair , the too -fair skin. So don't tell me I can't fit in. My heart beats like a talking drum , my mom hums to Bessie just like yours , the brothers in my dreams. " The poem is called " For The Record" I like this because shes talking about how she is like everyone else and she should be treated the same.

By: Marcus S

Marcus S — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:36:28 +0000

I agree with you that race should not affect what you read or write. I am reading “Bronx masquerade” in my English class and my favorite character is Tyrone. I like his comments after every poem.

By: Joey B.

Joey B. — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:35:51 +0000

I strongly agree on everything that you said because im in 8th grade english class right now and were reading a book that you wrote called "bronx mascerade". It is a great book so far. my favorite character is devon hope because he is hiding something from everyone because he doesnt want them to that he loves reading, so he hides his fear from people by sneaking into the libray when he can to sneak in a read. that is just one character in the book that I like. I love his poem "black box" because it shows us that all the problems we form are just inaginary barriers that we make to keep others out. I will always agree on what you say.

By: Alysa Rosenbarker

Alysa Rosenbarker — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:34:38 +0000

Dear Nikki,
I think your book is great. it is not fair that people are judged because of their skin color. As some people might say never judge a book by its cover. Nobody should be judge at all by their skin.I think you are so right. in my english class we are reading “Bronx Masqueade”. I never liked poetry, but I think it is cool how you have made poems that represent the character. My favorite character is Janelle.I like how she is realizing about how when people are reading their own poems, they are talking about their own personal problems. My favorite poem is Brusied Love by Chankara Troupe. Her poem is my favorite because it just represents her so much. I was so suprised that she was so brave to share it on open mike Fridays. thanks for righting such a good book.

By: Taylor W.

Taylor W. — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:31:11 +0000

You're right race shouldn't matter,the color of your skin shouldn't determine anything about you or what you do. In English we are reading "Bronx Masquerade" and it is pretty good. My favorite character it Tyrone but, my favorite poem so far is Devon's poem "Bronx Masquerade".

By: Kenny D

Kenny D — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:30:51 +0000

Nikki I agree 100% people should'nt prejudge a book depending on the skin color. A book is a book no matter the authors skin color. In my 8th grade class we are reading the "Bronx Masquerade" and I'm enjoying I very much. My favorite character is Devon because he kind of what the book is about,people hiding from their true selfs. My favorite peom is "Bronx Masquerade" by Devon because he comes out with his true feeling and tell people who he really is and don't forget it.

By: Syd T.

Syd T. — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:30:34 +0000

Well said Nikki. In life there is always going to be people who judge you based on your looks. In my english class we are reading your book "Bronx Maquerade", it is a really good book. I love how all the characters tell everyone what they want in life and what problems they are facing. It`s hard to tell people things like that sometimes. My favorite character in your book is Chankara because in her life she has seen her sister get beaten by her boyfreind. Chankara has decided she does not want to live her life like that and she is going to try and give her self the best. My favorite poem in your book is 'bruised love' my Chankara because it tells about the situation she is in while watching her sister get beaten. Chankara said she has known the truth since ten, when her sister lies to her Chankara and her both know it was her sisters boyfriend. After my class is done reading this book I want to read another one of your books!