Bronx Masquerade

Bronx Masquerade is a young adult novel written by New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes. It was published in 2002. Bronx Masquerade chronicles an academic year in the lives of high school students in Mr. Ward’s English class. It includes the ways they relate to each other and their classwork, which prominently features Harlem Renaissance writers, as well as their hopes and dreams. The novel is written in both prose and poetry, with each chapter including a dramatic monologue—delivered as part of the class’s open mic activity—from a different character’s perspective. These poems address the students’ concerns regarding family dynamics, identity, romantic love, and the impact of the arts.

Nikki Grimes has written over 100 children’s and young adult fiction books. A native of New York City, Grimes is a poet, interdisciplinary artist, and advocate for the arts, education, and youth voices. Bronx Masquerade won the Coretta Scott King Award, which honors children’s books written by African American authors.

This guide refers to the Penguin e-book edition.

Content Warning: This guide discusses domestic violence, sexual assault, slavery, attempted robbery, bullying, child abuse, and death due to drug use.

Plot Summary

Bronx Masquerade takes place in a New York City high school.