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52 pages 1 hour read

Nikki Grimes

Bronx Masquerade

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2002

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes portrays the lives of high school students in Mr. Ward’s English class as they navigate personal challenges and form connections. The class explores Harlem Renaissance writers and holds Open Mike Fridays, where students express themselves through poems. These poems address family dynamics, identity, romantic love, social issues, and the transformative power of the arts. The book includes domestic violence, sexual assault, and drug-related death.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes has been praised for its engaging narrative, diverse characters, and its ability to capture the complexities of teenage life through poetry. Readers appreciate the realistic portrayal of personal struggles and the use of multiple perspectives. Criticisms include some characters feeling underdeveloped and a plot that can be predictable. Overall, it's a compelling read for young adults.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Bronx Masquerade?

A reader who would enjoy Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes is likely a teen or young adult who appreciates stories about diverse urban experiences and self-discovery. Fans of The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo or Monster by Walter Dean Myers may also find this book compelling for its poignant exploration of identity and personal expression.

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Bronx, New York • 2000s

Publication Year

2002

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

HL670L

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