Nikki Giovanni

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-This title chronicles the life of the poet, author, and activist from her childhood in Tennessee to the present day. Her poetry, which touches on a number of different themes including civil rights and African-American life and culture, has won Giovanni many accolades and honors while her innate ability to touch an eclectic public has earned her the title, "Poet of the People." Her work for children explores the subjects of friendship, loneliness, and rebellion. Josephson's narrative is enlivened by a sampling of Giovanni's lyrical work that will provide readers with a sense of her style and philosophy. One interesting chapter covers an extensive, taped conversation the poet had with the writer James Baldwin in Europe in 1971. Average-quality, black-and-white photographs document the subject's childhood and career. A concisely written work.-Daniel Mungai, Queens Borough Public Library, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.