The energetic illustrations playfully depict his rocky journey toward a truer version of himself, providing levity at times but never shortchanging the most poignant moments.These charming, reflective poems are an ideal match for Taylor’s endearing first graphic novel endeavor.Īn adaptation that expands the world of a captivating, much-loved character.' - Kirkus Reviews

'Grimes’ acclaimed novel in verse sees new life in comics format. Grimes’ tanka poems.pair nicely with Taylor’s straightforward illustrations, bringing to life Garvey’s story of newfound self-possession. School Library Journal Best Book of the Year With Theodore Taylor III’s full-color illustrations, this graphic novel edition is enthralling and inspiring. Garvey’s Choice was a School Library Journal Best Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, and a Paterson Prize for Books for Young People Honor Book.

The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself and a way to finally reach his distant father-by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey’s life changes. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey’s father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading-anything but sports. This lovely book deserves to and will garner wide readership among the middle-grade set.Award-winning author Nikki Grimes’s beloved novel in verse Garvey’s Choice is now a graphic novel, imaginatively and dramatically illustrated by Little Shaq artist Theodore Taylor III. Young readers, often reluctant to read poetry, will be so taken with the well-developed story and engaging characters, they will forget it is all poems. It is so beautifully written, readers will be lost in the lyrical lines. Nikki Grimes has written an entire novel in tanka poems. Garvey’s real success is in chorus, where he finds his voice in more ways than one. Garvey has a great voice and he makes a new friend, a boy with albinism, who helps Garvey learn to deal with the bullies. Joe encourages Garvey to join the chorus. Lunchtime is the best time for Garvey because he spends it with Joe and because he gets to eat, but when Joe’s schedule is changed, Garvey is alone again. But Garvey has a best friend, Joe, who really gets him and helps him deal with all his adversity. Garvey has a lot to deal with in his life - he is overweight, he has a sister who is a natural athlete, something Garvey’s father wishes Garvey was, and he has to deal with middle-school bullies.

Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes