My Man Blue (Picture Books)

By Nikki Grimes

Book Overview

Damon & Blue Just us two Cruising up the avenue. With his night-and-day shades and a frame like a "heavyweight boxing machine," it might seem like this guy would be someone to steer clear of....But that's not the way it is. Blue is the best friend a kid could ever have. Blue, who lost one boy to the streets-and is determined that this time will be different. And Damon, whose laugh reminds him of that child, and who, even though he's the "man of the house," knows there's room for a guy like Blue in his life. To shoot hoops with, bounce thoughts off of, to share a laugh and a hot dog with all the works. And to know that at the end of the day there's someone standing steadfast in his corner. Someone true...like Blue. Drawing on those friendships that have inspired her own extraordinary life, Nikki Grimes creates a poetically realistic tale of that joyous, complicated bond that draws us, one to another. To this Jerome Lagarrigue , in a truly wondrous picture book debut, adds powerful and sensitive paintings that capture the rich moods and atmospheres of the story's Harlem setting.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803723261
• ISBN13: 9780803723269
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Dial
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.8" x 0.4" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 4 years and up
• Grade Range: Kindergarten and higher

Customer Reviews

A role model

The post-impressionist splashes of color (gashes of blue across Blue's bronze skin) remind the reader that this story is more than just a story, that the illustrations are more than that. "My Man Blue" is the story of a quiet hero, a constant gardener, so to speak, and a boy trying to find his way. In case the reader loses track of setting, there it is on the title page--the top of a factory of some sort, an urban skyline. In this setting, Nikki Grimes tells the story of Damon, a fatherless boy, and Blue, a sonless man. The boy lost his father to the indifference of urban life and that lack of responsibility sometimes spawned there. Blue lost his son to the streets and gang life. Blue deliberately cultivates Damon's friendship to fill that hole left by his father, a hole that needs filling one way or another. Damon taps into Blue's emptiness as well. It is a mutual friendship. So it goes. Ms Grimes tells her story of Damon and Blue, one free-verse poem at a time, revealing a snippet of character here, a facet of courage there, a swath of lesson about strong men. Not only do the poems reveal Blue's character, but the illustrations do, too. The prevailing mood is somber (like the gritty, urban landscape) brushed through with intense, bright colors (of hope, maybe?). Now if only every little boy had a Blue....

A kid review about Blue

My Man Blue is a story about an african american boy named Damon who moves to his mom's old neighborhood. When they arrive this guy Blue stops them on the street. So Damon gets suspicous that his hello is on "mom's account." But he and Blue eventually become friends. As their friendship grows, Damon finds out that Blue lost his son Zeke to the streets. Blue teaches Damon how to control his temper, and about tolorence and about patience. There are several poems about Damon's expirences and problems.I enjoyed the book. I believe that the author is trying to tell you about the violence and how to deal with it.

My 9 year old loves it!

This is an excellent collection of poems that are connected and tell a timely story of a boy and his mentor. The black males are portrayed realistically and it is definitely a story that will find a connection with young black males. My son read it when he was 7 and still talks about it and reads it at 9.

Excellent

This book is wonderful. In a time when many boys do not have strong male role models, this book gives a wonderful example of a man mentoring a boy who needs him. The book is full of poetry, and beautiful illustrations. It teaches wonderful values, and is a must for any family. Excellent!