It's summer vacation, but Zuri Jackson isn't happy. What will she do all summer long in the city when her best friend, Danitra. Brown, the most splendiferous girl in town, is off to visit her family in the country? Write, of course!

Through a series of letters, these two friends share with readers what childhood summers are made of. fireflies, Fourth of July, skies like a thick overcoat buttoned up with stars, family reunions, block parties, handball games...and coming back home, where true friendship always remains.

We met these two unforgettable best friends in the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Meet Danitra Brown. Now Nikki Grimes brings Danitra and Zuri back, in thirteen more spirited poems matched with Floyd Cooper's exuberant paintings.

ANNOTATION

Recounts, in a series of poems and letters, Danitra's summer at her aunt's house in the country and her best friend Zuri's summer at home in town.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It's summer vacation, but Zuri Jackson isn't happy. What will she do all summer long in the city when her best friend, Danitra. Brown, the most splendiferous girl in town, is off to visit her family in the country? Write, of course!

Through a series of letters, these two friends share with readers what childhood summers are made of. fireflies, Fourth of July, skies like a thick overcoat buttoned up with stars, family reunions, block parties, handball games...and coming back home, where true friendship always remains.

We met these two unforgettable best friends in the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Meet Danitra Brown. Now Nikki Grimes brings Danitra and Zuri back, in thirteen more spirited poems matched with Floyd Cooper's exuberant paintings.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

"Zuri describes in verse the summer that she and best friend Danitra are separated," noted PW. "Cooper's luminescent pastels chronicle the long days and Zuri's many moods." Ages 8-up. (July) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

This warm sequel to the Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Meet Danitra Brown, shows two friends that their friendship can endure separation for the summer when Danitra goes to visit her extended family in the country while Zuri stays home in the city. Both write letters detailing some of the joys¾of weeding and the night sky, or a street party and making a new friend¾and reveal that they are gutsy, savvy, and affectionate. Grimes tells the story in free verse with occasional rhymes, both ending and internal, that hint at poetry but don't sacrifice meaning for rhyme or rhythm. Cooper's paintings depict Danitra with glasses and Zuri with puffy hair but it is difficult to tell who each girl is without reading several poems first. The final picture of Danitra and Zuri hugging is accompanied by a poem that's sure to ring true with other friends¾ "A good hello/is knowing/when we're far apart,/at heart/we're still together,/and being glad/you're home again/cause that is ten times better/." 2002, HarperCollins, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Susan Hepler0688131557

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Grimes and Cooper return with another story told through poems about Danitra Brown and Zuri Jackson. This time, the friends exchange letters all summer long while Danitra is visiting relatives. Zuri starts out feeling angry and disappointed that Danitra is leaving her behind and doesn't seem to care, but eventually both girls make new friends while they look forward to being together again. Some vignettes may leave readers with perplexing questions; for example, Danitra describes a stubborn dragonfly that she's sure would like to eat her, but the accompanying image depicts her smiling at it benignly. All in all, however, Cooper's photo-realist artwork in soft hues against glowing backdrops is a lovely complement to the girls' many moods.-Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Fans of this author-illustrator team's Meet Danitra Brown (1994) will welcome their latest effort about Danitra and her best friend, Zuri Jackson. Told as a series of 13 poems and letters about the joys of summer and the strong bond of true friendship, this will resonate with many young readers who have savored the pleasures of Fourth of July fireworks, picnics and games, block parties, starry summer nights, and family reunions. It also explores honestly the feelings of sadness, self-doubt, and resentment that a child experiences when a cherished friend goes away, even for a short time. Here, Danitra goes off to the country for a family reunion and Zuri remains at home in the city. While Danitra brims with excitement, Zuri worries and quietly seethes that her friend is "leaving me, and loving it." To her surprise, though, Zuri discovers that life without Danitra isn't so bad after all. She makes a new friend and brims herself-with exuberance and renewed self-confidence-when she dances up a storm at a block party and beats the boys at softball. In their back-and-forth letters, the girls describe their new experiences and the fun each is having, but nothing compares to the joy they feel when they reunite at Danitra's homecoming. Grimes's poems read and flow well, and Cooper's paintings simply burst with energy and expressiveness. How nice for Zuri and for young readers that Danitra has returned. (Picture book. 7-10)