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silverfeather's review against another edition
read for Library Materials for Children course
readerpants's review against another edition
4.0
Nikki and Deja gets an extra star from me because it's like a breath of fresh air to read an early chapter book with regular African-American girl characters in everyday situations: trying to do each others' hair, having friendship drama, and hoping the loud kids in line don't get the whole class in trouble. Like many early chapter books, it's a story of friendship between two girls, with chapters of discrete small moments scaffolded within an ongoing storyline. There's drama -- they're BFFs but their friendship is threatened by the new girl -- and of course a happy ending. I thought it was hilarious that one of the major dramatic incidents of the story is that Deja decides to start a drill team in order to have the most exclusive, desirable club in school... but Nikki has no rhythm. It's probably the book's most original moment, and it rings so true! I was SO THERE with Nikki in agonized embarrassment as she faces her total lack of dancing skills. Luckily the adult librarian piece of me could take a step back and laugh at the fact that the world wasn't really ending.
The text is mostly accessible despite some vocabulary speed bumps. The illustrations are cute, but a little babyish for the struggling third and fourth grade readers who might enjoy the story.
The text is mostly accessible despite some vocabulary speed bumps. The illustrations are cute, but a little babyish for the struggling third and fourth grade readers who might enjoy the story.
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
If you are looking for books about third grade friend drama, this is the one for you! A great exploration of changing friendships and loyalties. Recommended for grades 1 & up.
faeriedrumsong's review against another edition
4.0
this is a very cute series. the characters are regular kids and they do stupid things and mean things and kind things and other things like NORMAL KIDS.
I love books that help normalize diverse groups. This book is not for black kids. This book is for kids.
I love books that help normalize diverse groups. This book is not for black kids. This book is for kids.
lizinthelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Very good realistic fiction, beginning chapter book. I thought the portrayal of the two girls was incredibly spot on with how friendships in elementary schools have many ups, downs, and challenges. Bonus is that these two little girls are black and one of the first chapters talks about styling their hair. But mostly it is a really great friendship book.
Full review on blog.
Full review on blog.
tinybiscuits's review against another edition
5.0
Nostalgic! Takes me straight back to second grade.
crankylibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
First in a terrific series about a pair of delightful and feisty 3rd graders. Incorporates realistic touches of African American life, (jumping double Dutch, hair braiding) without becoming a "message" book.
ceah_reads's review
Nikki and Deja is the first book in the series of the same name, and it's a delightful book, fun, engaging, and very real. (Sometimes so real that it'll make your skin crawl as you remember doing some of those same ridiculous, mean things because you were a confused kid too.) Chapters are short and digestible, with a few Big Words scattered throughout—and both Nikki and Deja do their fair share of ruminating on those Big Words, which perforce enables young readers to figure them out without feeling weird. (Great tactic, there.)
Thoughts, emotions, and actions all fit the target age, and definitely will remind you of those good old days being 7 or 8 yourself—and all the embarrassing things you did. It should remind young readers that they aren't alone, and point them towards ways to get out of the friendship pickles they find themselves in—which is terrific.
Overall a great start to this #OwnVoices series, with vibrant young folks, bite-sized chapters, and marvelous illustrations. Can certainly be used in standards-based discussions of interpersonal relationships, among other things.
Thoughts, emotions, and actions all fit the target age, and definitely will remind you of those good old days being 7 or 8 yourself—and all the embarrassing things you did. It should remind young readers that they aren't alone, and point them towards ways to get out of the friendship pickles they find themselves in—which is terrific.
Overall a great start to this #OwnVoices series, with vibrant young folks, bite-sized chapters, and marvelous illustrations. Can certainly be used in standards-based discussions of interpersonal relationships, among other things.
bookishrealm's review
3.0
I literally read this in about 45min - 1 hour. It was cute and short. I mainly read it because I was looking for children's chapter books that contained a main character that was black. The story was cute and something that would happen to many little girls; however, I wanted more of a resolution int the end. I might pick up the rest of the books from the library in the future.
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