Rich

November 1, 2009
Grades 2-4 Though her best friend, Free, is excited about a poetry contest, Dyamonde has little interest in writing verse. She is curious, though, about Damaris, a new classmate with a secret. Dyamonde befriends her and encourages her to enter the contest with a poem that reveals what shes been hiding. Featuring several of the same vividly drawn African American characters as the first book in the Dyamonde Daniel series, the second volume looks at the sensitive issues of poverty and homelessness from different angles and in a reassuringly matter-of-fact way. Expressive ink drawings illustrate this fine beginning chapter book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2010
Dyamonde's best friend Free has his eye on winning a poetry contest's cash prize. But shy classmate Damaris, who lives in a homeless shelter, is the real poet, and her growing friendship with Dyamonde helps them all redefine their ideas about wealth. Matter-of-fact discussions of homelessness and job loss make this chapter book a timely addition.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)