One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance Hardcover – Illustrated, January 3, 2017

I have always believed, no, known that art is essential for human existence. The art of these souls from Harlem writing their truth in a time that was so blatantly difficult caused moments I had to put One Last Word down. Poetry always slows me down--in a good way. But sometimes, I needed to ponder difficulties over the dishes, then pick the book up again. There are hard things in beautiful words.Your response poems are beautiful, powerful. Each draws cords tight between our past and today. I can bring One Last Word to my students. They will get it.Nikki Grimes, your poems encourage people to put their energy into words. I wish more adults were doing this for young people. I’m so glad I can point to you, your body of work and especially One Last Word as a way into art. I’m glad for the conversations we readers can begin with…Jamar and Dina, Helena and Damian, Tanisha and Josh. They are in our families....and in your pages.Thank you for a short and sweet description of the golden shovel form, the Harlem Renaissance, and the preface. Today, we get so little time to teach history that short descriptions are welcome diving boards. Even the index is a text structure I will use with my library students...it’s a detail important in my world.Finally, I am in awe of the graphics in this book and the bios of each artist that include ways to see more, learn more. Pathways to further learning are a gift. And, I must add that the artistic notebook line graphics between poems are an invitation to write our own truths. Genius!Nikki Grimes, One Last Word, is spectacular. I can only imagine the care put into creating this beauty. You have always set a high bar as a poet….but this book, One Last Word, is a masterpiece. I predict many awards.

A gem with some of the best poems from poets we all adore. Poets from the Harlem Renaissance era. Every poem in here was special, heartwarming, touching and gorgeous. Nikki Grimes is a master at what she does. Some of my favorite poems from this book:-LIFE AND DEATH BY CLARA ANN THOMPSON- THE SCULPTOR BY NIKKI GRIMES-MOTHER TO SON BY LANGSTON HUGHES- TO A DARK GIRL BY GWENDOLYN BENNETT- NO IMAGES BY WARING CUNEYThe artwork in this book is so bold and beautiful. Give this book a go because we never know what we are missing in a book.

As a teacher, I am always trying to find literature that is relatable to my students. "One Last Word" opened the dialogue, made my students think and got them believing that poetry is not so bad!

I love this book! Poet Nikki Grimes has chosen some amazing poems from the Harlem Renaissance and responded to each with a cleverly designed poem of her own, using a form called Golden Shovel. Fifteen African-American artists illustrate the poems. What a treasure this would be to a creative writing teacher! Thank you, Nikki Grimes, for being an inspiration.

Breathe in the words of the Harlem Renaissance, exhale the echoes of today — all combine to reflect the beauty of timeless hope despite the shadows or the ugliness in this temporary life.

Nikki Grimes brilliantly resurrects Harlem Renaissance poems and adds her own twist with respect and love, pushing the art even higher.

I ordered this book so I could let my students know about a lot of great black poets. There are diverse types of poems in here and short bios on the poets. If you love teaching poetry, this is a good resource to have in your class room.

Such a beautiful book of poetry that I can share with my 1st grade class.