Something on My Mind

by Nikki Grimes, Tom Feelings (Illustrator)

Book by Grimes, Nikki

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 1986

Reviews

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with other picture book collaborations which he is a part, Feelings' _Something on My Mind_ brings together a collection of sketches he has composed of young children with poems by renowned writer for adult, Nikki Grimes. As featured on the cover of the book, many of his illustrations cluster images of children together, while still focusing on individual children's experiences and feelings. Grimes' presents several poems that capture different voices of children throughout, frequently focusing on children not wanting to wait, questioning adult beliefs or authority, recognizing their own status as children, and reflecting on their unequal social status. She reflects a child-like voice without diminishing the deeper, more melancholy feelings of children. For instance, a poem that accompanies an image of a child playing with a pen and looking to the side states: "My summer vacation... / went to Jones Beach with Jo Jo's family./Jimmy got out of jail./I sneaked into the pool crosstown twice./Daddy lost his second job./Mama said don't worry,/but he did./Sharon's sister hit the number./That makes the fourth time./Teacher don't want to hear that./What can I write?/Went to Jones Beach..."

[Tess Upchurch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something on my Mind is a collection of short poems that each give the reader quick glimpses into the lives of different African American children. These poems tackle things such as heartbreak, fears, dreams, family and death.

Although the book is written from the views of African American children these are ideas that could easily apply to persons of all ethnicities. I liked the fact that the illustrations, by Tom Feelings are done with a variety of mediums that reflect the various children depicted throughout the book. The illustrations are very minimalist, which allowed the focus to remain on the characters and emotions expressed in the different poems. Although I found this illustration style interesting I also felt that it added a more serious tone to the book. I think that this serious tone was not the best fit. This book dealt with the stories of children, and I therefore feel that there should have been some sort of childlike or playful undertone.

Due to the more serious nature I do not think this book would be the best fit for my classroom. I think there are many other books that tackle the same issue in a more age appropriate way.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a "poetry person" myself, so it's just 3 stars from me. But for those who do enjoy poetry, it's a classic collection worth taking a look at. A short collection of poems on daily life from children's POVs. While it's specifically African American children in the pictures, and in some of the poems too, there are still a lot of emotions which will resonate with children of any ethnicity and in modern settings - things like dreams and patience and death and friendship. Several of them I recognized myself in too! I think my favorite was one of the Waiting poems (verses of Waiting?) about summer ending and school beginning. Second would be Blue (the last poem). These two also paired particular well with the pictures on their pages.

This is one I can see pulling out for a number of different displays (February: African American History Month; April: Poetry Month; etc) and recommending for our children's writing groups when they do poetry.

[Prachi]

An interesting book for sure. The book is a short collection of poems, at first I thought they were all from the same POV but as I did more research each poem is different child’s perspective. Most of these poems are extremely emotional; being left out by friends, being left out by society because of their skin color, coping with death. I was touched by some poems for sure, especially one about grown-ups keeping secrets and then turning around and saying why didn’t you know that. I related to that a lot, im sure a lot of us do. The illustrations reflected each perspective well and I appreciated that they were all in somewhat of a different style.
This can be relatable for a variety of kids.
I enjoyed this book because of the different perspectives. I wish it would be clearer in the sense that they are all different perspectives because I had to go out and research that by myself. Other then that I would highly recommend this book.

[Layah Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

My local library was giving this away for free. I always know the book is going to be good whrn the cover looks like this. I relate to most of the words in this book. I think most black Americans can. its bitter sweet. getting a glance back into your childhood but feeling that hidden underlying pain that was never truly expressed. Ill he saving this book for my neices and nephews.

[Robynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this older title when I was binging on Nikki Grimes' poetry and Tom Feelings' illustrations.

Waiting
for summer to end.
I've used up all the fun.
I wish school would start again
so there would be something to do.

I adore the illustrations.

[Tippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reviewer said it best; the poems are childlike, but still reflect the deep emotions kids can have. That's not easy to do. Good stuff.

I read this book as part of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards 50th anniversary challenge promoted through the LA Public Libraries.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in Something on My Mind was very interesting. I did not like the portrait style very much because I felt that it gave the story a very serious feel but then again that is most likely what the author and illustrator wanted it is just not my favorite. The faces in the portrait are very beautiful. Although they have a serious feel they do tell a story of black history. I feel like the faces in the book connect the reader directly to the lives of real people and make African American history a real thing in the moment instead of something in the past. Let alone the illustrations could most likely tell the story.

[Shantay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for young readers. It is easy to and quick to read. I read it to my 5y/o son. He liked it! It has wonderful pictures like paintings. both the words and pictures keeps the reader/listenr's attention. Nikki Grimes acknowledges God in this book and others like this one. She details this in the beginning of this book.

The author Nikki Grimes is an awesome person/writer to do an author study on!

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really like this book. It's a good book showing poetry, but I didn't like the style of writing. I found it confusing and very hard to read. The only time I would think of using this, is if I was showing that poetry doesn't have to make sense.

[Sydney McClure · Rating 3 out of 5]

It appears that this is a collection of poetry thoughts from various children during segregation. These are thoughts of children as could lead to great discussions about their feelings and the time (segregation).

[Emily Rosbottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is some very serious poetry that tells the thoughts of black boys and girls. I found the book sort of confusing in that the poems were not divided by titles; the first time I read it, I read it as a book. Once I determined they were different children's thoughts, I found it very interesting.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

1979 CSKing Illustrator Winner

excellent illustrations AND decent poetry....winner!

[GPPL Youth]

https://swanlibs.ent.sirsi.net/client...