Books like Jazmin’s Notebook by Nikki Grimes
Jazmin’s Notebook is a lyrical, diary‑style narrative that follows Jazmin, a fourteen‑year‑old African‑American girl living in 1960s Harlem. Through her notebook, she records moments of laughter, frustration, ambition, and the deep love she shares with her steadfast sister.
Her entries weave poetry with the realities of growing up on the Southside, capturing both ordinary everyday experiences and larger cultural rhythms. The story shows how family, friends, and community shape her journey, while also reflecting themes of identity, creativity, and resilience in a vibrant urban setting.
First publish date: 1998
Genre: Poetry/Narrative Poetry
Authors: Nikki Grimes
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