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  • Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes book cover
  • Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes book cover
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Garvey's Choice

by Nikki Grimes

Finding a voice beyond expectations

Critically Recognized
$13.79 USD
$22.99 USD $13.79 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Editorial selection

    Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

    Named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews.

  • Critical praise

    Kirkus Reviews starred review

    Received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.

AlbakiReads Editorial

Finding a voice beyond expectations

Told in verse, Garvey’s story brings together family expectations, bullying, friendship, and the search for self-acceptance. His father hopes he will embrace athletics, while Garvey is more interested in astronomy, science fiction, and reading. Teasing and loneliness compound his sense of not measuring up; joining the school chorus offers a new place to belong and a way to connect with his father through music. The novel’s central tension lies in the distance between the identity others expect Garvey to have and the interests and strengths he is learning to value in himself.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • A fit for readers of verse novels about identity and self-acceptance.
  • For young readers interested in stories addressing bullying, friendship, and family relationships.
  • May suit children who enjoy astronomy, science fiction, reading, or music as story elements.

Themes

Self-acceptanceBullying and lonelinessFamily expectationsFriendship and belongingMusic and connection

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

This emotionally resonant novel in verse by award-winning author Nikki Grimes celebrates choosing to be true to yourself.

Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

★ Booklist, starred review
★ School Library Journal, starred review
★ Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading--anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, and a way to finally reach his distant father--by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.
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Customer reviews

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Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

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Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.