Nikki Grimes (born October 20, 1950) is an American author of books written for children and young adults, as well as a poet and journalist.
Grimes was born in Harlem, New York. In a conversation with a Reading Is Fundamental interviewer, she stated: “Books were my survival tools. They were how I got by, and how I coped with things. Books carried me away.”
She has been a guest lecturer at international schools in Sweden, Tanzania, China, and Russia. She has written articles for magazines such as Today’s Christian Woman and Essence. Her interests and talents are diverse and include photography, fiber art, and beading.
Grimes currently resides in Corona, California, and continues to write poetry and books for children and young adults. She is on the board of directors for the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. Her work has earned her honors and recognition from a number of prestigious organizations.
Her novel Bronx Masquerade was named the Coretta Scott King Award book in 2002. The Coretta Scott King Award is “given to African-American authors and illustrators for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions.” She has authored 40 children’s books.
In 2011 she won the Horace Mann Upstanders Award for Almost Zero: a Dyamonde Daniel Book, in 2006 National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, and in 1993 NAACP Image Award Finalist for Malcolm X: a Force for Change.
Some books to look for:
- A Pocketful of Poems by Nikki Grimes and Javaka Steptoe
- My Man Blue (Picture Puffin Books) by Nikki Grimes and Jerome LaGarrigue
- When Gorilla Goes Walking by Nikki Grimes and Shane Evans
- Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes and Bryan Collier
- Danitra Brown, Class Clown by Nikki Grimes and E. B. Lewis
- Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books) by Nikki Grimes and Earl B. Lewis
- Welcome, Precious by Nikki Grimes
- Baby’s Bedtime (Essence)
- C Is for City by Nikki Grimes and Pat Cummings