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Danitra Brown
Danitra Brown, Class Clown: A Picture Book for Children (Ages 4-8) About Best Friends and the New School Year
They may be best friends, but Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown respond very differently to the start of school. For Zuri, there are so many things to ponder -- a new teacher who replaced the old one she liked so much, passing math, and worrying about her mother's health. But for Danitra, the only real deal is being true to herself, having fun, and supporting Zuri in any way she can. Multiple Coretta Scott King award winners Nikki Grimes and E. B. Lewis have poured their best into Danitra Brown, Class Clown . This third book starring Zuri and Danitra speaks to everyone who has faced the trials of a new school year.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 8, 2012
This book is a poetry book and is designed for children in the intermediate age group(ages eight to twelve). The story is about a girl who is having a hard time preparing to start a new school soon. Her best friend Danitra makes it all better by encouraging her.
I gave this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed it. I think children of this age will be able to relate to this story. I like that it was written in a poetic way but is still able to be understood by readers. I liked how Danitra turned all of the Zuri's sad days into good days and sad situations into good. If I was a teacher I would use this book to remind students of how good friends should be. Also letting them know that if they have fears about a new teacher or starting another school year, it is normal and a lot of children go through it. As a class they could discuss some of their fears and give each other ideas of how they can overcome their fears.
I gave this book 5 stars because I really enjoyed it. I think children of this age will be able to relate to this story. I like that it was written in a poetic way but is still able to be understood by readers. I liked how Danitra turned all of the Zuri's sad days into good days and sad situations into good. If I was a teacher I would use this book to remind students of how good friends should be. Also letting them know that if they have fears about a new teacher or starting another school year, it is normal and a lot of children go through it. As a class they could discuss some of their fears and give each other ideas of how they can overcome their fears.
June 13, 2020
Zuri dreads the start of a new school year, but can't remain down-hearted long with a friend like Danitra Brown around. Danitra is full of confidence and exuberance. Even her lunch is adventurous: tuna on cornbread. peanut butter and pear. Ready to dance and cause distraction. Ready math whiz, tutor, magician.
Danitra is a delightful character. The story is clear, not cloying, told in easy rhyme. The book is illlustrated beautifully, with realism and warmth.
Zuri and Danitra are black girls in a multi-racial school. Zuri is at first reluctant to answer the white teacher's question: "What does your name mean?", but then says proudly: "My name means beauitful, wonderful, good. Anyone with half a brain would steal it if they could."
Danitra is a delightful character. The story is clear, not cloying, told in easy rhyme. The book is illlustrated beautifully, with realism and warmth.
Zuri and Danitra are black girls in a multi-racial school. Zuri is at first reluctant to answer the white teacher's question: "What does your name mean?", but then says proudly: "My name means beauitful, wonderful, good. Anyone with half a brain would steal it if they could."
October 28, 2020
This book has an average of 3.96 stars, the copyright date is 2005, and the major themes include school and friendship. My favorite part of this story is how it is told from the point of view of Danitra Brown's best friend. Danitra Brown's point of view is not explored in the story, but she is the hero of her best friend, who is the narrator. I thought that was really beautiful. I would love to use this story as a poetry read aloud in my class. I think a lot of students will be able relate to the school themes in the poems.
September 7, 2019
Danitra Brown, Class Clown is a great book to use to introduce poetry to your classroom each page has a different poem about what is going on in the story. It is also can be used to help students find the similes and metaphors because there are so many different examples of them in the book. It also is a good example because in the book Danitra Brown is always trying to help out her friend in the book which is not named.
September 12, 2023
This book was very cute. The poems were very relatable to school and what it is like when you are new to the school. The poems are very easy to read and have very visual pictures to go along with the poem. This book would be a great read aloud as we can discuss each poem and how that topic makes you feel. This book is great to read at the beginning of the year so we can discuss the importance of each of the things throughout the book.
September 16, 2017
They may be best friends, but Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown respond very differently to the start of school. For Zuri, there are so many things to ponder -- a new teacher who replaced the old one she liked so much, passing math, and worrying about her mother's health. But for Danitra, the only real deal is being true to herself, having fun, and supporting Zuri in any way she can.
August 29, 2018
Third grade students love Danitra. They easily pull out the subtle message that is written in verse. The younger students appreciate the rhyme and the illustrations, but don't necessarily understand why Danitra Brown is not really a class clown.
I will continue to promote the illustrator in preparation for ISD Reading Week when E.B. Lewis will come to ISD!
I will continue to promote the illustrator in preparation for ISD Reading Week when E.B. Lewis will come to ISD!
March 18, 2019
do you struggle paying attention in school? Then this children's book is right for you. Join Danitra Brown as she navigates her way through another year of school and that means another year of being told to be quiet, another year with a new teacher that doesn't understand her. At least she still gets to spend this year with her best friend Zuri!
January 5, 2020
Love this book of school friendship, school angst, and the everyday at school. Nikki Grimes has a way with penning reality and the illustrations are a great match.
March 15, 2020
I love this book. It’s all prose and poetry. These are great poems for throughout the school year. You could revisit this book again and again. 💕💕
July 4, 2022
I love EB Lewis’ watercolors
October 14, 2011
1. Poetry
2. This is a collection of poems that follow best friends Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown as they start a new school year.
3. A. Character/ Point of View
B. This is told in first person point of view from the perspective of Zuri; however, Zuri highlights her best friend in almost every poem, and Danitra becomes the second main character. One would think that using poetry would be harder to create such in depth character development; nevertheless, author Nikki Grimes is able to create realistic characters through using mostly rhyme (at times she strays from rhyming) and sometimes even dialogue within her poems. Moreover, the poems are episodic, and Zuri faces a new challenge in each of them. This guides the reader, for these short snapshots of Zuri’s life help create a dynamic character, and with the help of Danitra and secondary character, Miss Volchek (their teacher), Zuri blossoms from a timid, unconfident girl into a grateful, optimistic girl. Grimes’ poetry is relatable to anyone who has ever faced change in their life and to anyone who has ever had a best friend.
C. In “Miss Volchek,” Zuri does not adjust well to being in a new class; however, when Danitra tells her to give their teacher a chance, Zuri seems to take the advice. We see this come to fruition in “A Friend in Need” as Danitra is absent and Zuri has to rely on Miss Volchek for comfort when she breaks down at school.
Rhyming (in most poems) and sometimes dialogue help to create a poetry “narrative” of sorts. On the first day of school, Zuri is timid and doesn’t want to explain her name, but Danitra is there to boost her confidence. “I lift up my head, and repeat with more pride, ‘My name means beautiful, wonderful, good. Anyone with half a brain would steal it, if she could.”
4. This is a great book for beginning poets (perhaps 3rd or 4th grade). Because each poem is episodic in nature and gives a snapshot of Zuri’s life, students can be encouraged to write a poem about their life. Perhaps they could incorporate someone who they consider special in their life. As a math teacher, I might keep this book laying around for students to read. Zuri struggles with math and comes to the conclusion that she will ask for help (just what I want to hear from my struggling students).
2. This is a collection of poems that follow best friends Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown as they start a new school year.
3. A. Character/ Point of View
B. This is told in first person point of view from the perspective of Zuri; however, Zuri highlights her best friend in almost every poem, and Danitra becomes the second main character. One would think that using poetry would be harder to create such in depth character development; nevertheless, author Nikki Grimes is able to create realistic characters through using mostly rhyme (at times she strays from rhyming) and sometimes even dialogue within her poems. Moreover, the poems are episodic, and Zuri faces a new challenge in each of them. This guides the reader, for these short snapshots of Zuri’s life help create a dynamic character, and with the help of Danitra and secondary character, Miss Volchek (their teacher), Zuri blossoms from a timid, unconfident girl into a grateful, optimistic girl. Grimes’ poetry is relatable to anyone who has ever faced change in their life and to anyone who has ever had a best friend.
C. In “Miss Volchek,” Zuri does not adjust well to being in a new class; however, when Danitra tells her to give their teacher a chance, Zuri seems to take the advice. We see this come to fruition in “A Friend in Need” as Danitra is absent and Zuri has to rely on Miss Volchek for comfort when she breaks down at school.
Rhyming (in most poems) and sometimes dialogue help to create a poetry “narrative” of sorts. On the first day of school, Zuri is timid and doesn’t want to explain her name, but Danitra is there to boost her confidence. “I lift up my head, and repeat with more pride, ‘My name means beautiful, wonderful, good. Anyone with half a brain would steal it, if she could.”
4. This is a great book for beginning poets (perhaps 3rd or 4th grade). Because each poem is episodic in nature and gives a snapshot of Zuri’s life, students can be encouraged to write a poem about their life. Perhaps they could incorporate someone who they consider special in their life. As a math teacher, I might keep this book laying around for students to read. Zuri struggles with math and comes to the conclusion that she will ask for help (just what I want to hear from my struggling students).
September 26, 2011
Critique- Picture Book/Poetry
A collection of poems about the start of a new school year for friends Zuri and Danitra, the challenges they face in school and at home, and the strength of friendship. A.) In the majority of poems the author uses couplets for a rhyming scheme. B.) The use of rhyming is a helpful way to have young children follow along in poetry. Because of the predictability of similar sounds students may be able to read words they are not familiar with based on their knowledge that the word will sound similar to a previous one. The poems also address issues that many students struggle with every day, such as: new teachers, studying, problems at home, friendship, and being true to yourself. The use of poetry to address these issues makes difficult subject matter easier to understand with the use of rhyming words and coupled with a message of support from both friends and teachers. C.) The poem “A Friend in Need” tackles the matter of a parent being sick, and how this affects the character, Zuri. While she would typically look to her friend Danitra for support she is not in school, and it is the teacher, Miss Volchek who is there to comfort her. This could be a difficult topic to cover with students, but it could be less intimidating to students in the form of poetry, with the use of line breaks and rhymes.
This book works for early readers (1st-3rd grade). It could be used with a lesson on poetry, studying, and even math since one of the main characters struggles with math.
A collection of poems about the start of a new school year for friends Zuri and Danitra, the challenges they face in school and at home, and the strength of friendship. A.) In the majority of poems the author uses couplets for a rhyming scheme. B.) The use of rhyming is a helpful way to have young children follow along in poetry. Because of the predictability of similar sounds students may be able to read words they are not familiar with based on their knowledge that the word will sound similar to a previous one. The poems also address issues that many students struggle with every day, such as: new teachers, studying, problems at home, friendship, and being true to yourself. The use of poetry to address these issues makes difficult subject matter easier to understand with the use of rhyming words and coupled with a message of support from both friends and teachers. C.) The poem “A Friend in Need” tackles the matter of a parent being sick, and how this affects the character, Zuri. While she would typically look to her friend Danitra for support she is not in school, and it is the teacher, Miss Volchek who is there to comfort her. This could be a difficult topic to cover with students, but it could be less intimidating to students in the form of poetry, with the use of line breaks and rhymes.
This book works for early readers (1st-3rd grade). It could be used with a lesson on poetry, studying, and even math since one of the main characters struggles with math.
October 18, 2012
Grade/interest level: Upper Elementary (3-5)
Reading level: 4.1 (Lexile N/A)
Genre: Poetry, Multicultural
Main Characters: Danitra Brown, Zuri Jackson, Miss Volchek
Setting: Danitra’s school and home
POV: Zuri Jackson
Zuri is feeling apprehensive about her first day back at school. She worries about adjusting to a new teacher, new classroom, and new bullies. Once she sees Danitra, her worries are lessened because Zuri has her best friend by her side. Danitra is always there for Zuri. For example, Zuri dreads having her name called out in class because the teacher always asks what it means, but Danitra reassures her and she responds with pride that it means beautiful, wonderful, and good. Danitra distracts the class so that a private note written by Zuri could not be heard while it was being read aloud. Danitra tutors and encourages Zuri in math when she struggles to understand. Zuri’s math scores improve and by the time they know it, the school year is half over.
I could use this book at the beginning of the year as a standalone for students who may have a hard time adjusting to the new school year. I could also use it as a part of a friendship unit, since Danitra and Zuri’s friendship is at the heart of the story.
Reading level: 4.1 (Lexile N/A)
Genre: Poetry, Multicultural
Main Characters: Danitra Brown, Zuri Jackson, Miss Volchek
Setting: Danitra’s school and home
POV: Zuri Jackson
Zuri is feeling apprehensive about her first day back at school. She worries about adjusting to a new teacher, new classroom, and new bullies. Once she sees Danitra, her worries are lessened because Zuri has her best friend by her side. Danitra is always there for Zuri. For example, Zuri dreads having her name called out in class because the teacher always asks what it means, but Danitra reassures her and she responds with pride that it means beautiful, wonderful, and good. Danitra distracts the class so that a private note written by Zuri could not be heard while it was being read aloud. Danitra tutors and encourages Zuri in math when she struggles to understand. Zuri’s math scores improve and by the time they know it, the school year is half over.
I could use this book at the beginning of the year as a standalone for students who may have a hard time adjusting to the new school year. I could also use it as a part of a friendship unit, since Danitra and Zuri’s friendship is at the heart of the story.
November 19, 2012
Danitra Brown, Class Clown
Grade/interest level: Primary (2nd to 3rd)
Reading level: Fountas and Pinnell: N
Grade: 3.4
Genre: poetry
Main Characters: Danitra and Zuri
Setting: not specified, present time
POV: from Zuri’s poems
This is a book filled with poetry from Zuri’s point of view. Zuri writes about schoolwork, teacher, Danitra’s life, Danitra’s mom’s health, and friendship. It is an adventurous type of book which I think students can follow and they will fall in love with Danitra’s character because she is so spontaneous and original. She is a class clown and a very good frend to Zuri as well.
Overall I think the book was good. It was filled with poetry that was not too advanced for 2nd or 3rd graders. The poetry has a rhyming scheme so it is suitable for children who are still learning to read. The constant rhyming will help them figure out words that may sound unfamiliar. I would use this not as a novel to read with the whole class, but more of just a book of poetry during SSR. It would be a student choice book. Other than that I like how it shows friendship and how Danitra is a loyal friend.
Grade/interest level: Primary (2nd to 3rd)
Reading level: Fountas and Pinnell: N
Grade: 3.4
Genre: poetry
Main Characters: Danitra and Zuri
Setting: not specified, present time
POV: from Zuri’s poems
This is a book filled with poetry from Zuri’s point of view. Zuri writes about schoolwork, teacher, Danitra’s life, Danitra’s mom’s health, and friendship. It is an adventurous type of book which I think students can follow and they will fall in love with Danitra’s character because she is so spontaneous and original. She is a class clown and a very good frend to Zuri as well.
Overall I think the book was good. It was filled with poetry that was not too advanced for 2nd or 3rd graders. The poetry has a rhyming scheme so it is suitable for children who are still learning to read. The constant rhyming will help them figure out words that may sound unfamiliar. I would use this not as a novel to read with the whole class, but more of just a book of poetry during SSR. It would be a student choice book. Other than that I like how it shows friendship and how Danitra is a loyal friend.
December 8, 2015
Danitra Brown, Class Clown is a story of two best friends, Zuri and Danitra, and their school year together. While they are both very different, Danitra and Zuri are always there when the other one needs them.
This book is written in the form of several rhythmic poems that link together to tell events throughout the school year. A major theme throughout the book is friendship. It helps to show children that even though two people are extremely different, they can still be really good friends. The book has easy flow to it, making it a quick and fun read for all ages!
This book could be used in literacy to help teach rhyming or poems. The book overall has narrative and rhythmic poems, which can serve as an example before writing their own poetry. This book would also be useful for the beginning of the school year, when students are nervous about a new class and teacher.
This book is written in the form of several rhythmic poems that link together to tell events throughout the school year. A major theme throughout the book is friendship. It helps to show children that even though two people are extremely different, they can still be really good friends. The book has easy flow to it, making it a quick and fun read for all ages!
This book could be used in literacy to help teach rhyming or poems. The book overall has narrative and rhythmic poems, which can serve as an example before writing their own poetry. This book would also be useful for the beginning of the school year, when students are nervous about a new class and teacher.
May 1, 2016
The poems were relevant to life in elementary school, and of average quality. I felt the illustrations captured the look of a happy, boisterous African American girl, comfortable in her own skin. It didn't come across as honoring African American culture or history. It didn't have that deep, soulful yearning for empowerment that I have come to love about African American poetry. I wondered if they took poems about white kids and inserted the name "Danitra Brown" into them and juxtaposed them with illustrations of an African American girl. It felt fake to me, as though the words were trying too hard to be something they were not.
Read
January 29, 2016(2005) Another school year is beginning for young Zuri along with all of the things she hates: math, a new teacher and classroom, and explaining what her name means. Zuri is also coping with a sick mother and this makes her sad and nervous too. But school is much better with Danitra Brown around. Danitra is Zuri's best friend who helps her with homework, makes her laugh, and is there for her when she feels sick before a test. This is a sweet story with beautiful, realistic- painted illustrations.
August 20, 2016
"Danitra and I will find a way to make it great, somehow."
Through poems, we meet two friends beginning the school year. Zura is timid and worried, but her friend "Danitra hops in, grinning and all my gloomy thoughts go spinning." Danitra is there for Zura, helping her build her confidence and self esteem. She's an original thinker, she has a one of a kind smile, she's a "matchless tutor, matchless friend." Everyone should have a friend like Danitra Brown!
What a great read aloud to start the year.
Through poems, we meet two friends beginning the school year. Zura is timid and worried, but her friend "Danitra hops in, grinning and all my gloomy thoughts go spinning." Danitra is there for Zura, helping her build her confidence and self esteem. She's an original thinker, she has a one of a kind smile, she's a "matchless tutor, matchless friend." Everyone should have a friend like Danitra Brown!
What a great read aloud to start the year.
March 16, 2010
This is the touching story, told in rhyme, of two best friends who face a new school year and a new teacher together. Zuri is shy and nervous about the year ahead of her. Danitra is the class clown who makes Zuri forget her troubles. Throughout the story, during the highs and lows, the girls are always there for one another. This story teaches children to stick with their friends in good times and bad. "Danitra Brown, Class Clown" is appropriate for grades one through five.
May 4, 2015
Author: Nikki Grimes
Title: Danitra Brown, Class Clown
Plot: This is a story of how Zuri tells about her friend Danitra Brown and her fun adventures at school.
Setting: School
Characters: Zuri Jackson; Danitra Brown
Point of view: First person
Theme: Characters and Values; Friends and Friendship
Style: Realistic Fiction
Notes: This is a good book for students to read about friendship and fun at school.
Title: Danitra Brown, Class Clown
Plot: This is a story of how Zuri tells about her friend Danitra Brown and her fun adventures at school.
Setting: School
Characters: Zuri Jackson; Danitra Brown
Point of view: First person
Theme: Characters and Values; Friends and Friendship
Style: Realistic Fiction
Notes: This is a good book for students to read about friendship and fun at school.
April 20, 2015
This is a story about two female best friends who are complete opposite in personalities. It is the beginning of school and Zuri ponders so many things about school and her home- life problems, but Danitra is laid back and want to have fun. This book is basically about the students who have face the era of a fresh beginning of school.
Act: Ask students if they think it is okay to be a class clown? Explain why.
Act: Ask students if they think it is okay to be a class clown? Explain why.
January 20, 2016
This book can be used in so many ways. The story is told in a series of easily understood (for intermediate grades) poems about friendship. There is rich vocabulary. It would be great to use at the beginning of the school year as a starting off for discussions about friendship, and seeing things in a positive light, or about celebrating differences in individuals. The watercolor illustrations beautifully complement the richness of the poems.
September 14, 2013
Favorite poem:
"Stomachache"
Also, just look at that spunk on the front cover--
everyone needs a friend like her in their life.
"Stomachache"
I have a fever.
I feel a chill.
My stomach aches.
I need a pill.
Danitra says
it's in my mind.
"You'll wake tomrrow
and you'll be fine."
I hope she's wrong.
I need my rest.
I'm way too sick
to take a test.
Also, just look at that spunk on the front cover--
everyone needs a friend like her in their life.
June 4, 2016
Nikki Grimes captures in verse the unparalleled wonderfulness of having a true friend in school that lifts you up, makes you laugh, feels your pain, is there for you through and through. I want to share this story at the beginning of the school year to inspire young readers to be and find their own Danita Brown.
February 26, 2010
I love that these short rhyming poems create such a strong narrative about friendship and school. They offer a great opportunity to discuss character development. The watercolor illustrations complement the sweetness of the poems, while the rhymes make the narrative as catchy as it is realistic.
March 22, 2011
I absolutely loooooooove this book!!! Its a book of poems that tell a story of this young girls school year. You may seriously laugh and then later you may cry. Great for students of all ages. Im sure theres a poem in there that they can relate to.
November 15, 2013
5 stars for the expression on Danitra Brown's face on the cover. The watercolors in this book are wonderful, vibrant and capture the essence of actual kids. As a quiet person who always relished a good loud friend in school, this one struck home for me.
January 4, 2014
Best friends Danitra Brown and Zuri Jackson have different views about how to interact with challenges in life and at school. Zuri is the deep thinker and Danitra takes a more carefree, fun approach. Zuri knows that she can depend on Danitra whenever she needs support.
February 25, 2014
This is a great book for the beginning of the school year. Zuri is worried about the new year with a new teacher, but her friend Danitra is there for her. Danitra has a strong sense of self and doesn't seem to be a worrier so she balances out Zuri. They are a great example of friendship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews