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Words with Wings
Gabby’s world is filled with daydreams. However, what began as an escape from her parents’ arguments has now taken over her life. But with the help of a new teacher, Gabby the dreamer might just become Gabby the writer, and words that carried her away might allow her to soar. Written in vivid, accessible poems, this remarkable verse novel is a celebration of imagination, of friendship, of one girl’s indomitable spirit, and of a teacher’s ability to reach out and change a life.
Nikki Grimes has been awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award. Words with Wings has been named a 2014 ALSC Notable Children's Book in the middle readers category.
Nikki Grimes has been awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award. Words with Wings has been named a 2014 ALSC Notable Children's Book in the middle readers category.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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September 15, 2013Grimes, N. (2013). Words with wings. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mill Press. 96 pp. ISBN: 978-1-59078-985-8. (Hardcover); $15.95.
In all fairness, as much as I adore this book, I am not the best person to review it. I am, however, the BEST person to talk about one of the characters in the book because that person is the real, live, nonfiction ME! If one takes a look at the acknowledgment page, one will see that the teacher character in this book is named for me because of several questions I answered and a few follow-up communications I had with Nikki about what I do with those students who spend their time daydreaming. For those readers interested in knowing what I do, READ THE BOOK—Nikki gets the essence of it correct (since the time I answered Nikki’s questions, however, I have really expanded the way I use daydreaming in my teaching). In this book, Gabriella is dealing with the fact that she is in a new school, a new home, and her father is no longer with the family. Like many young students, she worries about making friends. In Gabby’s case she worries about making ANY friends and she knows that it is unlikely that she will find that one person who values the fact that her mind tends to drift. Told in verse, this very quick read shows how Gabby, her mother, and ME figure out ways to value the daydreaming part of her enough so that Gabby will be able to find a future for ALL of herself, including the dreamer. The poetic structure matches the content perfectly and several poems, including the title poem, are downright gorgeous. I have already ordered more than ten copies, but they are just for me! I will need to order several more for various schools and libraries and friends! Generally, when I ask folks to buy a book it is because I think you will be doing yourself a favor (and a favor to any students or teachers with whom the book is also shared). I am asking you to buy Words With Wings for exactly the same reason, but this time it also serves as a personal favor!
In all fairness, as much as I adore this book, I am not the best person to review it. I am, however, the BEST person to talk about one of the characters in the book because that person is the real, live, nonfiction ME! If one takes a look at the acknowledgment page, one will see that the teacher character in this book is named for me because of several questions I answered and a few follow-up communications I had with Nikki about what I do with those students who spend their time daydreaming. For those readers interested in knowing what I do, READ THE BOOK—Nikki gets the essence of it correct (since the time I answered Nikki’s questions, however, I have really expanded the way I use daydreaming in my teaching). In this book, Gabriella is dealing with the fact that she is in a new school, a new home, and her father is no longer with the family. Like many young students, she worries about making friends. In Gabby’s case she worries about making ANY friends and she knows that it is unlikely that she will find that one person who values the fact that her mind tends to drift. Told in verse, this very quick read shows how Gabby, her mother, and ME figure out ways to value the daydreaming part of her enough so that Gabby will be able to find a future for ALL of herself, including the dreamer. The poetic structure matches the content perfectly and several poems, including the title poem, are downright gorgeous. I have already ordered more than ten copies, but they are just for me! I will need to order several more for various schools and libraries and friends! Generally, when I ask folks to buy a book it is because I think you will be doing yourself a favor (and a favor to any students or teachers with whom the book is also shared). I am asking you to buy Words With Wings for exactly the same reason, but this time it also serves as a personal favor!
August 15, 2021
What a wonderful book. The story is told in poetry, but has a beginning and an end. Only illustration is the cover, which is lovely.
A young girl has constant daydreams. Her teacher and her mother keep calling her back. But the story has a good resolution. The story also deals with the parents' divorce. Her daydreams are wonderful, and any child would adore it (or future poet or writer).
Highly recommended.
A young girl has constant daydreams. Her teacher and her mother keep calling her back. But the story has a good resolution. The story also deals with the parents' divorce. Her daydreams are wonderful, and any child would adore it (or future poet or writer).
Highly recommended.
July 26, 2015
**ARC thanks to Netgalley**
To be honest, when I opened the book tonight, I was just planning to skim the first few pages to get the gist for now. That did not happen -- I started reading the first poem and did not stop until I read the last. Halfway through, I was salivating to share with my next-year students.
The vivid language, the simple (yet, oh-so-deep) story....perfection.
To be honest, when I opened the book tonight, I was just planning to skim the first few pages to get the gist for now. That did not happen -- I started reading the first poem and did not stop until I read the last. Halfway through, I was salivating to share with my next-year students.
The vivid language, the simple (yet, oh-so-deep) story....perfection.
February 22, 2018
I absolutely LOVED this one about the beauty of daydreams and a teacher who recognized the importance of them ~ I think it would be great to pair this somehow with the picture book Happy Dreamer by Peter Reynolds. And have I mentioned how accessible verse is?? All that white space makes my eyes and brain happy.....this would be an amazing choice to hand to a 4th or 5th grader struggling to make it through a standard novel format.
September 30, 2021
I love how this book celebrates daydreamers, I was one and it got me into trouble at school, like our protagonist, Gabby. Gabby daydreams as a way to cope with current events, such as moving away from everything she knows to a new neighborhood, a new school and having to leave her friends and everything that is familiar to her behind. She also uses her daydreams to 'paint a picture' for her friend Cheri who is color-blind. Here is a wonderful example of one of her daydreams in which she focusses on a single word to create a scene that she can imagine herself in:
"To chase away the fear,
I flipped through the dictionary,
plucked out the word 'hush'
and thought about
the whisper of the wind
rustling through the leaves,
come next autumn,
and the silence of their falling.
Then I jumped into
a soft deep pile of them,
grabbed an armful
of red, gold, and
burnt-orange beauties,
tossed them into the air,
and I was all right again,
for a while,
and I went back to packing for the move."
"To chase away the fear,
I flipped through the dictionary,
plucked out the word 'hush'
and thought about
the whisper of the wind
rustling through the leaves,
come next autumn,
and the silence of their falling.
Then I jumped into
a soft deep pile of them,
grabbed an armful
of red, gold, and
burnt-orange beauties,
tossed them into the air,
and I was all right again,
for a while,
and I went back to packing for the move."
October 5, 2018
A delightful, creative and imaginative way of one girls look at life through daydreaming.
May 23, 2017
As a daydreamer of divorced parents, I really connected with this. It is told in poems and follows a young girl who has issues with daydreaming too much. Th poems are vivid and really capture the essences of the words and what they mean to a kid. It was like reading memories of my own. The ending was heartwarming to top it all off. Overall I really enjoyed this read.
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March 29, 2018really good, I recommend this book to people who like reading books in a day or two! I also liked how the end ended!
August 30, 2020
wow. this book was so cute and has inspired me so much as to who I want to be as a future teacher. i want my students and just every child to know the impact that words can have and just how powerful your imagination can be. your imagination sets you free. it allows you to step away from the chaos of this world and enter into your own little sanctuary that is filled with magic.
the best part of this sweet little book is how the teacher did not scold gabriella for daydreaming, he urged her to continue on this beautiful journey of discovery and magic. and thats what all teachers should do - teach their students how to dream. so that when they're faced with despair or sadness or chaos or anger, they will remember that they can escape it all, if only they close their eyes and take a leap into their imagination.
the best part of this sweet little book is how the teacher did not scold gabriella for daydreaming, he urged her to continue on this beautiful journey of discovery and magic. and thats what all teachers should do - teach their students how to dream. so that when they're faced with despair or sadness or chaos or anger, they will remember that they can escape it all, if only they close their eyes and take a leap into their imagination.
July 3, 2013
This beautiful story in poems presents a daydreamer kid and a teacher who really makes a difference in her life. Excellent imagery, interesting story arc, and a sympathetic main character made this story one that I zipped right through. It was totally satisfying, even though I didn't really want it to end! A real gem.
August 3, 2016
One Sentence Review: Sweet little story, though I should probably say I can't honestly review it since I know personally the "Mr. Spicer" mentioned within its pages.
June 26, 2016
Short 'n' sweet novel in verse, for any age 7 to 12 as I never caught just how old Gabby is.
August 8, 2018
This is a delicate, whimsical, dreamy kind of book about a young girl who can't stop daydreaming. This would make an excellent read-aloud. It's a relatively short book, but packed with thoughts and ideas.
Book description:
Gabby’s world is filled with daydreams. However, what began as an escape from her parents’ arguments has now taken over her life. But with the help of a new teacher, Gabby the dreamer might just become Gabby the writer, and words that carried her away might allow her to soar. Written in vivid, accessible poems, this remarkable verse novel is a celebration of imagination, of friendship, of one girl’s indomitable spirit, and of a teacher’s ability to reach out and change a life.
Nikki Grimes has been awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award. Words with Wings has been named a 2014 ALSC Notable Children's Book in the middle readers category.
Book description:
Gabby’s world is filled with daydreams. However, what began as an escape from her parents’ arguments has now taken over her life. But with the help of a new teacher, Gabby the dreamer might just become Gabby the writer, and words that carried her away might allow her to soar. Written in vivid, accessible poems, this remarkable verse novel is a celebration of imagination, of friendship, of one girl’s indomitable spirit, and of a teacher’s ability to reach out and change a life.
Nikki Grimes has been awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award. Words with Wings has been named a 2014 ALSC Notable Children's Book in the middle readers category.
April 13, 2023
Short fun read! It would be great for teachers who are first introducing verse/poetry to their students. Even gave me a few poem ideas of my own!
March 8, 2019
It was so good! one of my favorite books of all time. sometimes it was sad but it ends on a happy note! this book went by really fast
October 3, 2021
Super super short book of poems about a little girl who loves to dream. What an amazing ending. So sweet and totally lovable with lots of word pictures and fun poetry.
August 29, 2013
Words with Wings by Nikki Grimes is a tenderly written contemporary verse novel with a sensitive, imaginative young protagonist – Gabrielle (named after the angel Gabriel because, “He was so fierce people fainted at the very sight of him.” There is much to love about this story told in Gaby’s first person narrative voice. First and foremost, it does exactly what a good verse novel should do: the poems work together to each reveal more of the story as Gaby struggles to cope with her parent’s divorce, missing a dad whom she takes after, living with a mom she seems to have nothing in common with, moving to a new school, and tempering her daydreaming. A sensitive, thoughtful teacher, Mr. Spicer, (a character, by the way, inspired by the real sensitive and thoughtful first grade teacher Mr. Ed Spicer!) helps guide Gaby to find balance and at the same time turns what might be perceived as a weakness (her daydreaming) into a strength that he ends up cultivating in all of his students.
It’s such a pleasure to see how Grimes weaves in rhyme, rhythm, poetic forms and techniques to enhance the story – like just the right blend of spices in just the right amount. One of the poetic details that I admire most about this book is that the placement and structure of the poems help reveal character and plot. For each of the real-world poems, the font is a bit formal, structured on the page – centered. When Gaby daydreams, the poem font and position on the page become lighter, higher – free, even whimsical at times...like a daydream… like words with wings.
It’s such a pleasure to see how Grimes weaves in rhyme, rhythm, poetic forms and techniques to enhance the story – like just the right blend of spices in just the right amount. One of the poetic details that I admire most about this book is that the placement and structure of the poems help reveal character and plot. For each of the real-world poems, the font is a bit formal, structured on the page – centered. When Gaby daydreams, the poem font and position on the page become lighter, higher – free, even whimsical at times...like a daydream… like words with wings.
June 6, 2019
I read this after one of my students repeatedly talked to me about how much she loved this book. I finally had the opportunity to read Words with Wings, yesterday, when she returned her copy to the library and told our librarian to make sure I was the next person to read it. When I had a quiet moment I finally read this book and it brought me to tears due to the writing, the language, and the reason this particular student had connected to this book. She has significant reading difficulties, but she found herself in the beautiful words and story this book offers readers. This book was her life, her struggles, and her successes. I cried as I read through the beautiful verse and I immediately went to find my student and thank her for not only sharing a beautiful book of poetry but also for allowing me to see the power words and story can have when they find "their reader".
January 4, 2017
Words with Wings.
This book is a wonderfully short, nicely written little novel with great imagery to make you feel that you're in the book's scene yourself. Although I am not a great fan of short books that end quite quickly, this one was quite entertaining, and the story did not take long at all to start off.
This is one of my first novel in-verse books that I have ever read, and it turns out, they aren't so bad after all. However, one specific thing that I liked about this book is the way the 'daydreams' are described, they put fourth wonderful visuals into your mind as you read.
And to wrap it all up, this novel ends with a positive message! A great short read for anyone who comes across this book.
This book is a wonderfully short, nicely written little novel with great imagery to make you feel that you're in the book's scene yourself. Although I am not a great fan of short books that end quite quickly, this one was quite entertaining, and the story did not take long at all to start off.
This is one of my first novel in-verse books that I have ever read, and it turns out, they aren't so bad after all. However, one specific thing that I liked about this book is the way the 'daydreams' are described, they put fourth wonderful visuals into your mind as you read.
And to wrap it all up, this novel ends with a positive message! A great short read for anyone who comes across this book.
May 12, 2015
This brief novel in verse describes the life of Gabby, whose family has split up and who has just started a new school. Gabby is a daydreamer, which is a problem when the teacher is talking or when she's doing chores at home. Her classmates avoid her, thinking she's strange. Will she ever make friends?
I particularly like the solution that Gabby's teacher comes up with to cope with her daydreaming. Very clever, and based on a real teacher's real solution.
I also especially like the poems where words trigger specific daydreams. Those poems are beautifully descriptive.
Nikki Grimes doesn't disappoint, and this is another fine offering on her part. Highly recommended.
I particularly like the solution that Gabby's teacher comes up with to cope with her daydreaming. Very clever, and based on a real teacher's real solution.
I also especially like the poems where words trigger specific daydreams. Those poems are beautifully descriptive.
Nikki Grimes doesn't disappoint, and this is another fine offering on her part. Highly recommended.
March 6, 2021
My girls loved this book. It is a novel in verse about a little girl named Gabby who is going through changes and struggling with daydreaming during times she needs to focus. (Think, maybe, a kindred spirit to Anne.)
This book gave me a great perspective into my little daydreamers’ minds. The resolution was beautiful and inspired me to help my dreamers flourish, instead of getting frustrated with their moments of distraction. It was a great reminder for my mama heart, and a win for my girls. Definitely recommend.
“Explain this, please
Mom names me for a
creature with wings, then wonders
what makes my thoughts fly.”
This book gave me a great perspective into my little daydreamers’ minds. The resolution was beautiful and inspired me to help my dreamers flourish, instead of getting frustrated with their moments of distraction. It was a great reminder for my mama heart, and a win for my girls. Definitely recommend.
“Explain this, please
Mom names me for a
creature with wings, then wonders
what makes my thoughts fly.”
April 10, 2022
This is a beautiful poetry book that tells the story of a daydreamer in school. She is frequently wandering in her mind and getting scolded for zoning out. Then a teacher recognizes her daydreaming as a strength. This short book makes you think about what it's like to escape real life and encourages you to write down some of the daydreams you have. It felt autobiographical and great for teen readers.
April 27, 2015
I am so glad we found this book! I think it will be wonderful for our whole-school read aloud and to tie into our author visits in 2015-2016.
I have some ideas already about how to use it in my 8th grade classroom:
Book
Say "book"
And I abandon all reason...
I have some ideas already about how to use it in my 8th grade classroom:
Book
Say "book"
And I abandon all reason...
November 16, 2013
A peek into the mind of a daydreamer, and a teacher to add to our Great Teachers in Children's Literature list on the blog.
January 4, 2016
Beautifully written. Lovely poems about a daydreamer.
November 2, 2015
Fascinating description and vocabulary. A book dripping with inspiration.
May 3, 2023
Read it in one sitting and can't wait to read it again! ❤️
April 5, 2017
"Some words sit still on the page holding a story steady. Those words never get me into trouble. But other words have wings that wake my daydreams. They fly in....and carry my thoughts away"
This quote is on page 11 of this wonderful book by Nikki Grimes and I think is a great example of the the free verse poetry that can be expected from this book.
We meet Gabby, a young girl who is learning to deal with her parents divorce, moving, switching schools, and feeling like the "weird" kid at school. Gabby's age is never specifically mentioned, but I think that makes the story more relatable for students of all ages. She often finds herself daydreaming with mention of "winged" words but it is causing issues with her teacher and mom. She feels pressure to be more logical rather than a dreamer,however, is miserable without her day dreaming. Her teacher, Mr. Spicer plays a large role in how she learns to manage school and her daydreaming. Mr. Spicer severs as a great mentor for all teachers on how to mold your students' passion into something academic.
I believe this would be a great book for students grades 2-6. For the younger students this book could be used as a read aloud for exposure to free verse poetry. For the older grades, I believe this would serve as a wonderful mentor text before asking students to create their own poetry. This book can show them that rhyming, syllabic requirements, and certain topics are not required when writing poetry.
Overall, this is a great book that is a quick read and will leave a smile on your face.
This quote is on page 11 of this wonderful book by Nikki Grimes and I think is a great example of the the free verse poetry that can be expected from this book.
We meet Gabby, a young girl who is learning to deal with her parents divorce, moving, switching schools, and feeling like the "weird" kid at school. Gabby's age is never specifically mentioned, but I think that makes the story more relatable for students of all ages. She often finds herself daydreaming with mention of "winged" words but it is causing issues with her teacher and mom. She feels pressure to be more logical rather than a dreamer,however, is miserable without her day dreaming. Her teacher, Mr. Spicer plays a large role in how she learns to manage school and her daydreaming. Mr. Spicer severs as a great mentor for all teachers on how to mold your students' passion into something academic.
I believe this would be a great book for students grades 2-6. For the younger students this book could be used as a read aloud for exposure to free verse poetry. For the older grades, I believe this would serve as a wonderful mentor text before asking students to create their own poetry. This book can show them that rhyming, syllabic requirements, and certain topics are not required when writing poetry.
Overall, this is a great book that is a quick read and will leave a smile on your face.
April 22, 2018
Words with Wings is a novel in verse that could be read in any 3-5 classroom. This book is written from the perspective of Gabby, a young girl that loves to daydream, even though it often distracts her from what she is supposed to be doing, such as chores or listening in class. She is also struggling with her parent's divorce, living with her mom who does not seem to understand her, and missing the father she feels closer to. With the help of her teacher and a new friend at her school, Gabby learns to love her daydreams and discovers her passion for writing.
While reading this book, I thought about how it would be great to use in a class to discuss descriptive language. All of Gabby's daydreams are described so vividly and beautifully that they are very easy to picture. While reading this novel as a class, students could write their own poems or daydreams using descriptive language just like Gabby does. You could also use this book and have students do a project like Mr. Spicer's daydream for fifteen minutes, where students take 15 minutes each day to write. This would be a great way to encourage students to write and let them practice their writing skills by letting them write about whatever they want to. This could help children become passionate about writing, just like Gabby.
This was a WOW book for me because I loved reading all of Gabby's daydreams, especially since they were written in verse. I also found Gabby to be a very relatable character, and I loved reading about her experiences. I also loved the character of Mr. Spicer, a teacher who encourages his students to keep dreaming and uses his students' interests to help them become passionate learners.
While reading this book, I thought about how it would be great to use in a class to discuss descriptive language. All of Gabby's daydreams are described so vividly and beautifully that they are very easy to picture. While reading this novel as a class, students could write their own poems or daydreams using descriptive language just like Gabby does. You could also use this book and have students do a project like Mr. Spicer's daydream for fifteen minutes, where students take 15 minutes each day to write. This would be a great way to encourage students to write and let them practice their writing skills by letting them write about whatever they want to. This could help children become passionate about writing, just like Gabby.
This was a WOW book for me because I loved reading all of Gabby's daydreams, especially since they were written in verse. I also found Gabby to be a very relatable character, and I loved reading about her experiences. I also loved the character of Mr. Spicer, a teacher who encourages his students to keep dreaming and uses his students' interests to help them become passionate learners.
June 16, 2018
This is a charming little children's book written in free verse about Gabriella, a young girl who sees words with wings; that is the way she describes her constant daydreaming. Her mother and father have recently separated and she has had to move to a new house and a new school. Gabby misses her father and the closeness that the three of them shared. She also misses her old school and friends since at the new school she is seen as being odd. Her mother and her teacher are always telling her to pay attention and to stop all of that daydreaming. Words seem to be her only friends and they can send her mind soaring. After an attempt to stop her inattentiveness, teacher Mr. Spicer wonders where the happy, dreamy Gabby has gone. He comes up with a brilliant plan to uncover the old Gabby and to inspire the rest of the class to add some dreams to their own lives. Lovely.
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