Meet Danitra Brown

About This Book

Named a Coretta Scott King Honor Book as well as an ALA Notable Book, this touching collection of 13 poems about two African American girls named Zuri Jackson and Danitra Brown, is a refreshing and illuminating way to convey a portrait of friendship.

From the point of view of Zuri, readers are introduced to Danitra Brown, "the most splendiferous girl in town" who wears purple — from her head down to her toes — every single day. There are reasons why this is so, Zuri tells readers: Danitra might be a princess; she can take bullies on with no sweat; she's the fastest bike rider on the whole block; she helps Zuri with her chores, and she's going to win the Nobel Prize someday. Through Zuri's proud, but unsentimental voice, Danitra is portrayed as a spirited, spunky kid who can deal with whatever life has to give her. In turn, Danitra but is also very considerate of emotional Zuri's vulnerability. The two make a wonderful pair: they both have qualities that bring out the best in each another. Not everything is perfect, however — Danitra is taunted for wearing thick glasses; Zuri feels bad that her dad is never around to care for her, and some neighborhood kids tease Danitra about her dark skin. But although these girls live in a world filled with problems and prejudices, Danitra and Zuri deal well with each as they happen. The lovely and lush oil-wash illustrations capture and complement energy of the poems, and capture the characters' emotions. Although these characters are African-American, the theme of friendship through struggle that Grimes conveys is universal, and in this book, is brought to vibrant life.