ORDINARY HAZARDS is a memoir by author Nikki Grimes. Known for her numerous books for children and young adults, Grimes shares her own growing up story with readers. Written in her trademark poetry style, she gracefully captures the not-perfect childhood that helped shape her talent into what it is today.
Nikki and her sister witnessed many tumultuous moments between their struggling parents. A mother who suffered from alcoholism and mental illness and a father immersed in the music he composed and played on his violin didn't make for the most supportive adults. Most of the time Nikki's father was absent, gone to performances and traveling to promote his music. This left them with their mother whose illness meant she also was "absent" much of the time.
Grimes ended up in foster care for a period of time when neither parent could handle the responsibility of raising the girls. Together for awhile, Nikki found support from her sister, but eventually they were split up leaving Nikki with a caring family. Despite the good care of her foster family, Nikki missed Carol and vowed to search for her and reunite.
The girls did return to their mother who was then living with a man named Clark. At first things seemed to have improved, but soon it was clear that Clark couldn't keep a job and their mother fell back into old habits which ended in her constant return to the hospital for treatment that never seemed to work.
Through gritty, honest verse Grimes reveals how her hopes and dreams may have been at times delayed, but she used her experiences to bolster her strength and her spirit. Her father and her teachers introduced her to authors who spoke to her and still inspire her today. ORDINARY HAZARDS is sure to inspire readers of Grimes's work as well as those who find her in these pages for the first time.
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