The Horn Book Guide

LITERATURE

Grimes, Nikki

The Watcher: Inspired by Psalm 121

48 pp. | Eerdmans | October, 2017 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8028-5445-2 $17.00

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Using the "golden shovel" technique on lines of Psalm 121 (included), Grimes creates a poem cycle about two children: Jordan, a meek white boy, and Tanya, a black girl stirred up by insults about her stuttering; friendship, God, family problems, and classroom dynamics are quietly but powerfully incorporated. Collier's strong visual interpretations use paint and collage elements. A note on the poetic form is included.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt