Bronx Masquerade

Grimes, Nikki. 2002. Bronx Masquerade. New York: Dial Books. ISBN0803725698.

Summary

In an English classroom in the Bronx, students live in their own worlds. Their fears, their hopes, their dreams have long been kept to themselves. But during their study of the Harlem Renaissance, students begin to share their own poetry. Open Mic Fridays occur more and more frequently. Students slowly start sharing their lives and worries with each other. They begin to realize that people usually don’t fit in the boxes others expect them to fit in.

Tyrone is one of the students driving Open Mic Fridays. He’s also one of the first guys to open up and share his stuff. Tyron and Wesley are known for dabbling as thugs. Meanwhile Janelle just wants to be noticed. As one of the few white girls at school, Sheila desperately wants to fit in with the girls in her class. On the other hand, Raul wants to stand out, paint, and show everyone that he is not just a “worthless bandito.”

Analysis

While there are some stereotypes present in the book, those stereotypes are addressed and usually rejected. Each character is unique and with personal concerns. With a basketball player who sneaks away to the library, the talented girl who has always thought she was worthless, there is bound to be one or two characters with which everyone can identify.

At first it can be difficult to follow so many different characters. But each character provides his or her on insight into other characters which helps to solidify their roles in the reader’s mind. The pattern of the chapters helps, as well. A short chapter focusing on one character’s inner thoughts and background is followed by that character’s poem. This is typically followed by Tyrone’s reaction. Still, it can be hard to keep up as there isn’t more than a chapter or two focusing on each character.

This book is full of cultural details from several cultures. What’s great about this book provides a broader view of the inner city experience by providing insight into the lives and experiences of so many different characters and cultures. Even though each character’s time in the spotlight of the novel is brief, the characters themselves can leave lasting impressions.

Awards

Bronx Masquerade earned Nikki Grimes the 2002 Coretta Scott King Award

Reviews

“A flowing, rhythmic portrait of the diversity and individuality of teen characters in a classroom in Anywhere, U.S.A.” School Library Journal

“Readers will enjoy the lively, smart voices that talk bravely about real issues and secret fears.” Booklist

“Grimes’s creative, contemporary premise will hook teens, and the poems may even inspire readers to try a few of their own.” Publisher’s Weekly

Connections

Bronx Masquerade reminded me at times of Freedom Writers. This book would be a great introduction to writing poetry. Teachers could address different examples of rhythm and rhyme scheme while addressing the importance of presentation. The poems in the book could be used to practice the performance aspect of poetry. This would be a great tool for teaching young people to find their voices.