A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

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

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised in the Best Children's Books of the Year category by the Kirkus Award. It was recognised in the Best of the Best category by the Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Books. It also was recognised in the Notable Books for a Global Society category by the IRA Awards. It was recognised in the Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts category by the Ncte Awards. Also it was recognised in the Notable Children's Books category by the Association Library Service to Children. It was recognised in the Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers category by the American Library Association Awards. It was recognised in the Top 10 Contemporary Middle Grade Novels category by the Booklist. It was recognised by the Cooperative Children's Book Centre Choice Award. It was recognised in the Best of the Best category by the Chicago Public Library Awards. It was recognised in the Best Book of the Year category by the School Library Journal Awards.

This book has been graded for interest at 8-12 years. This book has been specially written for reluctant readers.

There are 120 pages in this book. It is a novel. This book was published 2016 by Boyds Mills Press .

Nikki Grimes (nikkigrimes. com) received the Coretta Scott King Award for Bronx Masquerade , and has also received five Coretta Scott King Honors. She has written more than fifty books, including The Road to Paris , Jazmin's Notebook , the Dyamonde Daniel series, and the New York Times bestseller Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope . She lives in Corona, California.