Deshawn Days - Hardcover

Medina, Tony

4.34

35 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1584300221 ISBN 13: 9781584300229

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2001

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I'm DeShawn Williams
I'm ten years old
come see who I live with --
who I love!

From this inviting opening, we are swept into ten-year-old DeShawn's world where we meet his family, his friends, and learn about his hopes and dreams. DeShawn lives in the projects, where "You don't just hear music / you hear sirens too /cop cars and ambulances /screaming all the time /real loud at you." This is also a place where neighbors gather for barbecues, and where DeShawn and his cousin build a snowman in the winter. We experience the death of DeShawn's grandmother, deeply feeling his sadness and loss. And we share the hope as he and his mother turn to each other for comfort. Readers from all backgrounds will be charmed by this upbeat, compassionate, and creative young boy.

In his first children's book, author Tony Medina draws from his experiences growing up in the projects to create this dynamic character. Award-winning artist R. Gregory Christie beautifully captures the emotion, humor, and strength of the story through his powerful illustrations. An afterword from the author expands on his connection to the story and explains how he was inspired to become a writer.

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About the Author:

Tony Medina is a prolific poet and writer whose work can be found in numerous anthologies. He is the author of DeShawn Days, Christmas Makes Me Think, and a contributor to the anthology Love to Mam�: A Tribute to Mothers, published by LEE & LOW BOOKS. He was selected by Writer's Digest as one of ten poets to watch in the new millennium. Medina lives in Harlem, New York City, and is an English Professor at Long Island University.

R. Gregory Christie received his fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and has illustrated several books for LEE & LOW (see titles to the right). A three time recipient of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award, Christie lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can see more of his work at www.gas-art.com

From Publishers Weekly:

Medina (Love to Mam : A Tribute to Mothers) attributes the first-person poems in his prosaic collection to 10-year-old DeShawn Williams, who invites readers to "come see who I live with / who I love!" Poet Medina doesn't stint on details, convincingly melding the warmth of family life with the stark realities of the streets. DeShawn answers the question "What is life like in the 'hood/ People walking everywhere/ broken bottles in the stairs/ / and dog mess smell in the air." But home is a safe place where the boy can tell his grandmother "anything/ she never tells my secrets," where his Uncle Richie consoles him when he has a bad dream, and where he lies "under the table/ listening to the grown-ups/ telling stories and the kitchen/ is warm and the windows wet/ with the smell of cornbread/ and baked chicken." Because Medina's portrait of the hard-working family is so positive, Christie's (The Palm of My Heart) bleak and sophisticated paintings seem misplaced; sharp angles and corners doorways, beams of light, people's heads and bodies dominate the compositions. In two standout spreads, words and artwork are completely in sync: when DeShawn's grandmother dies, and when his mother comforts him. Here a mood of sorrow and joy remembered create a perfect balance. Ultimately, however, the starkness of Christie's illustrations belie the life-affirming joy apparent in Medina's sweet-natured and imaginative hero. Ages 6-up.

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