Audiobooks by Nikki Grimes

A Little Bit Super: With Small Powers Come Big Problems

"In these hilarious stories by some of the top authors of middle grade fiction today, each young character is coping with a minor superpower—while also discovering their power to change themselves and their community, find their voice, and celebrate what makes them unique. Everyone knows that superheroes are supposed to have awesome powers like strength or invisibility or flight. But what happens when you’re a mostly regular kid . . . who’s just a little bit super? In these hilarious and thought-provoking stories from today’s top middle grade authors, a group of kids are each coping with a recently discovered minor superpower. One can shape-shift—but only part of her body, and only on Mondays. Another can always tell when an avocado is perfectly ripe. One can even hear the thoughts of animals in the pet store—which can be about as heart-tugging as you might imagine. It’s hard enough to be in middle school even without some weird ability, but these kids not only find their way to owning their unique powers and potential, they use them to change things for the better . . . and getting there with them is half the fun! These playful tales prompt readers to consider what their own superpower might be, and how they can use it. 'Award-winning contributors keep delightfully inclusive and accomplished company in this emotionally grounded, compassionate collection. . . . These are not your run-of-the-mill, cape-and-tights-clad superheroes. These are kids with relatable struggles learning to embrace that quirky bit of themselves that makes them unique.' —ALA Booklist (starred review) Written by Pablo Cartaya, Nikki Grimes, Leah Henderson, Jarrett Krosoczka, Remy Lai, Kyle Lukoff, Meg Medina, Daniel Nayeri, Linda Sue Park, Mitali Perkins, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Gary D. Schmidt, Brian Young, and Ibi Zoboi; coedited by Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt."

Brian Young, Daniel Nayeri, Gary D. Schmidt, Ibi Zoboi, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Kyle Lukoff, Leah Henderson, Linda Sue Park, Meg Medina, Mitali Perkins, Nikki Grimes, Pablo Cartaya, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Remy Lai (Author), Gary Tiedemann, Greta Jung (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes

"Sixteen extraordinary authors subvert mental health stereotypes in this powerful and uplifting mix-genre collection of fiction. A boxer whose strength is tested more outside the ring than in it. A hiker who develops magical powers when her serotonin is finally balanced. A teen activist wrestling with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A boy whose uncontrollable tears help enable another’s healing … In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen diverse and notable authors draw on their own lived experiences with mental health conditions to create stunning works of fiction that will uplift and empower you, break your heart and stitch it back together stronger than before. Through powerful prose and verse, the characters in this anthology defy stereotypes and remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn’t mean you are defined by it."

Alechia Dow, Anna Drury, Ebony Stewart, Francisco Stork, Isabel Quintero, James Bird, Jonathan Kastin, Karen Bao, Marcella Pixley, Mercedes Acosta, Nikki Grimes, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Patrick Downes, Rocky Callen, Sonia Patel, Val Howlett (Author), Ana Osorio, Maxwell Glick, Merissa Czyz, Priya Ayyar, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Sophie Oda, Tamika Katon-Donegal, Vico Ortiz (Narrator)

Audiobook

Garvey in the Dark

"What can one voice do? As the first rumblings of the pandemic sound around Garvey, he hardly notices. Caught up with his friends, school, chorus, and his newfound relationship with his father, he doesn't imagine that the new disease adults are talking about could touch him. But it will. When everything changes, when fear moves in, and when all seems dark, Garvey feels helpless. Yet one voice—Garvey's voice—can be a powerful spark in the dark …"

Nikki Grimes (Author), James Shippy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance

"Bloomsbury presents Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes, read by Bahni Turpin, Karole Foreman, Zakiya Young and Janina Edwards. From Children's Literature Legacy Award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes a feminist-forward new collection of poetry celebrating the little-known women poets of the Harlem Renaissance. For centuries, accomplished women—of all races—have fallen out of the historical records. The same is true for gifted, prolific, women poets of the Harlem Renaissance who are little known, especially as compared to their male counterparts. In this poetry collection, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses 'The Golden Shovel' poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of these groundbreaking women—and to introduce readers to their work. Legacy also includes a foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, and poet biographies, which make this a wonderful resource and a book to cherish. Acclaim for One Last Word A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor winner A New York Public Library Best Kids Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, Middle Grade A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Nonfiction C 2020 Nikki Grimes P 2020 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC"

Nikki Grimes (Author), Bahni Turpin, Janina Edwards, Karole Foreman, Zakiya Young (Narrator)

Audiobook

Bedtime for Sweet Creatures

"Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year Kirkus Best Book of the Year Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year 4 STARRED REVIEWS It’s bedtime. But Mommy’s little one is not sleepy. You growl like a bear, you question like an owl, you toss your mane like a lion. How can Mommy tuck you in now? Mommy needs to wrangle her sweet creature for sleep in this endearing and imagination-fueled journey to bedtime from Children’s Literature Legacy Award–winning author Nikki Grimes."

Nikki Grimes (Author), Carra Patterson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir

"In her own voice, acclaimed author and poet Nikki Grimes explores the truth of a harrowing childhood in a compelling and moving memoir in verse. Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by those she trusted. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic and impact of writing. For many years, Nikki's notebooks were her most enduing companions. In this accessible and inspiring memoir that will resonate with young readers and adults alike, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of her life."

Nikki Grimes (Author), Nikki Grimes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Jazmin's Notebook

"A CORETTA SCOTT KING HONOR BOOK Jazmin Shelby was 'born with clenched fists'-which is okay, since she's got a lot of fighting ahead of her. Her dad died a couple of years back, and now that her mom's in the hospital, it's just her and her big sister, CeCe. But that's fine by Jazmin. She's got her friends, her school, lots of big plans for the future-and a zest for life and laughter that's impossible to resist. A Booklist Editors' Choice Book A Child Study Children's Book Committee Children's Book of the Year"

Nikki Grimes (Author), Allyson Johnson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Between the Lines

"This thought-provoking companion to Nikki Grimes' Coretta Scott King Award-winning Bronx Masquerade shows the capacity poetry has to express ideas and feelings, and connect us with ourselves and others. Darrian dreams of writing for the New York Times. To hone his skills and learn more about the power of words, he enrolls in Mr. Ward's class, known for its open-mic poetry readings and boys vs. girls poetry slam. Everyone in class has something important to say, and in sharing their poetry, they learn that they all face challenges and have a story to tell-whether it's about health problems, aging out of foster care, being bullied for religious beliefs, or having to take on too much responsibility because of an addicted parent. As Darrian and his classmates get to know one another through poetry, they bond over the shared experiences and truth that emerge from their writing, despite their private struggles and outward differences."

Nikki Grimes (Author), Almarie Guerra, Cherise Boothe, Edward Lopez, James Shippy, Lori Gardner, Ruffin Prentiss, Sisi Aisha Johnson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Voices of Christmas

"Gabriel "paced the halls of heaven" as he memorized God's message to Mary. He wondered what she would say. The Christmas story unfolds, as never before, through the voices of those who witnessed the Messiah's birth. Listen to Joseph's struggle. Rejoice with Elizabeth and Zachariah. Worship with the magi. Hear the fear in Herod's voice. Receive the blessing of Simeon and Anna. And, like the shepherds, shout for joy!"

Nikki Grimes (Author), Full Cast (Narrator)

Audiobook

Garvey's Choice

"Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in anything but sports. Garvey is kind, funny, smart and a loyal friend. He is also overweight, teased by bullies and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life begins to change. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to finally accept himself."

Nikki Grimes (Author), Imani Parks, James Shippy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Garvey's Choice

"Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading-anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. 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. This emotionally resonant novel in verse by award-winning author Nikki Grimes celebrates choosing to be true to yourself."

Nikki Grimes (Author), James Shippy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Poems in the Attic

"During a visit to her grandma's house, a young girl discovers a box of poems in the attic, poems written by her mother when she was growing up. Her mother's family often moved around the United States and the world because her father was in the Air Force. Over the years, her mother used poetry to record her experiences in the many places the family lived. Reading the poems and sharing those experiences through her mother's eyes, the young girl feels closer to her mother than ever before. To let her mother know this, she creates a gift: a book with her own poems and copies of her mother's. And when she returns her mother's poems to the box in the attic, she leaves her own poems too, for someone else to find, someday. Using free verse for the young girl's poems and tanka for her mother's, master poet Nikki Grimes creates a tender intergenerational story that speaks to every child's need to hold onto special memories of home, no matter where that place might be."

Nikki Grimes (Author), Sisi Aisha Johnson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks by Nikki Grimes

Join Our Community