75 pages • 2 hours read
Nikki GrimesOrdinary Hazards
Nonfiction | Memoir in Verse | YA | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes narrates the author's challenging childhood, including her experiences with addiction, abuse, and neglect, and her journey through adolescence. Writing and faith become her sanctuaries, helping her cope with her tumultuous life. The book delves into themes such as trauma's impact on memory, emotional support's role in resilience, and creative expression's healing power. The book includes references to child abuse, substance use, addiction, sexual assault, and trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes is a compelling memoir in verse that has garnered positive attention for its raw emotional depth and lyrical prose. Reviewers praise Grimes' ability to navigate harrowing life experiences with resilience and hope. Some critique the fragmented narrative, feeling it may challenge reader engagement. Overall, it’s a poignant, inspiring read.
Who Should Read Ordinary Hazards?
A reader who would enjoy Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes is likely someone drawn to emotionally potent memoirs and poetry. Fans of Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming or Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings would find this blend of vivid verse and profound autobiography compelling. This book will appeal to readers who appreciate resilience and poetic storytelling.