This was an appropriate read for me right now as Garvey is dealing with Covid in his house and I currently have it. A novel in verse in tanka form, Grimes deftly addresses the fear and anxiety in kids and families with the uncertainty of covid, especially when in yoru household. Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and the BLM protests are included as part of the history of 2020. A helpful timeline is provided that maps out the events of 2020 as they unfolded. This book is a follow-up to Garvey's Choice, although readers who haven't read GC can follow easily as a standalone.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

This novel is one of a number of recent novels exploring life during the pandemic. In many ways, it's too soon to read about something that's still pretty raw. This one was a quick read, and Garvey was a sympathetic character, but it was almost too quick for me to be invested in the story.

First sentence: Different. The same... That's my answer if you ask how I am after the Invisible Beast broke into our house, and our world.

Premise/plot: Garvey (from Garvey's Choice) returns for a second book in Garvey in the Dark. Garvey's life has been looking up, up, and up. Things are good, really good. He's playing music; he's singing; he's got good, solid friends; he's beginning to have a strong, solid relationship with his father; he's comfortable in his own skin. But life is about to be turned upside down because of COVID-19. The book is set in the spring and summer of 2020. The poems process his experiences and emotions.

My thoughts: I wonder if this was a book that *needed* to be written. In other words, did Nikki Grimes need to write this book in order to help process the messy-messy-mess that was 2020? Between COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests, 2020 was just...there aren't even words. There are ten billion memes but no words. Garvey, our protagonist, seems an authentic narrator who is trying day by day to survive 2020 and make sense of it all. He's got questions, doubts, worries, concerns. The poems are very straight-forward and honest. Like when his dad has COVID and he's standing outside his dad's bedroom door just listening to make sure he's still breathing. The pain is almost touchable, if that makes any sense at all.

It was not an easy read. I'm being fair, I think. I don't mean the poetry isn't wonderful. I don't. I mean reading these poems takes you right back in time and it's like you're living through 2020 a second time. Which has its pros and cons. On the one hand, I do think it's a time capsule of sorts. I also imagine that writing the poetry had its healing moments. A way to put into words your thoughts, emotions, etc. Also I think it could be a reminder that you can share your emotions and talk through your stuff. There's no reason that you *have* to keep it bottled up inside, hiding your pain and worries. Another point is that this will be an authentic way to share what it was like to future generations. On the other hand, it's like living through 2020 a second time. It took me RIGHT BACK.

I started this book, hoping to finish reading it later this week. But as with “Garvey’s Choice” this book too, left me powerless to unentangle myself from its deceptive simplicity, almost like a strong magnet that draws the reader to its core, until the last page is turned.

Well, I really didn’t want to read a book on Covid, for the mere memory of those sluggish lockdown days makes me breathless. But Nikki Grimes has her magic, and she weaves it again with Tanka, the ingenious poetry format. “Garvey in the Dark” continues Garvey’s journey through the pandemic and the tale is so tenderly told, that I lost track of time. I especially loved how the relationship between Garvey and his dad plays out and the experience of Garvey’s mum, a teacher, grappling with learning how to teach online is so relatable! As with any Nikki Grimes book, this is another one that will remain much sought after for years to come!

Garvey in the Dark brings back the beloved Garvey from Garvey's Choice. Garvey is in a good place and has found his grove with his dad and friends. However, the Covid-19 pandemic hits, and his world is turned upside down. Through Grimes's poetry, we see how Covid-19 impacts his family and schooling. I feel like everyone will be able to relate to Garvey's story and experiences. By reading this, I relived what it was like for my students, family, and myself as a mom and educator when Covid hit. The author captures the feelings, emotions, and struggles that everyone felt and experienced. Well-written! I truly enjoyed reading more about Garvey.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was introduced to Nikki Grimes through Masquerade this year as part of my 8th grade scripted curriculum. The one good thing about the scripted curriculum was that it was pretty diverse in its offerings AND it always had a fictional short story, a nonfiction text, poetry and a compare/contrast section in each themed unit. So it wasn't all bad by any means. Back to Nikki Grimes, I have no idea how Nikki's works have eluded me for so long, but I devoured Masquerade after reading parts of it in our textbook. So when I saw this novel in verse, I had to read it.

I can tell you that as a teacher during the pandemic, this novel 110% reflects my experience. It was almost like reliving those days again. I feel seen. The struggle was real and it's accurately depicted in these lines. I also feel like Garvey's family could have been any of my students' families during that time. His story matches my son's feelings and emotions during the time and he had a big sis who was feeling trapped too.

What I loved:
The feels - this felt like my family's story (or very close to it).
The poetry - Grimes uses the tanka form of poetry throughout each stanza - lots of unpacking with this that you could use in the classroom.
Mood is a key part of each poem - also could be great to analyze in the classroom.
What was real vs what is fiction - great way to teach fact vs fiction in the classroom
Coping - there are several coping mechanism in this novel that can be found and discussed
Current events
Literary allusions

This book is a middle school teacher's dream to teach. I already have ideas of pairing it with Fever 1793 for next year. Can also be paired with Ghost Boys. Lucky for me, I have 15 copies of each that I can use to partner this with!

A return to Garvey’s life in Garvey in the Dark.
🎸
Garvey is finally in a good place with his dad and has two close friends. Things are going along great until a mysterious disease named COVID19 starts causing businesses and schools to shut down. When Garvey’s dad is diagnosed with the illness, his family worries night and day that he might not survive it. Through music and hope Garvey shines his light on those around him during this difficult time.
🎸
I loved Garvey’s Choice so when I saw he was returning I wanted an ARC immediately! This MG novel in verse used tanka poetry throughout and brings us back to a sweet boy whose inspiration makes our world a better place. Garvey in the Dark releases October 4!

CW: pandemic, COVID19, hospitalization, illness, racism, police brutality

Great, but not as good as book 1. 4⭐️

Nikki Grimes once more uses the page to explore experience and life in a way that weaves connections through words. I can’t wait to share this new verse novel with students and recommend it highly.

Sigh! You got me reading you like you would break my heart the entire time!

But thank you, you didn't break my heart.
Instead, this book in verse for young readers made me feel closer to my family making me realise once more how much families mean to a person.

The book tells the story of a family before the COVID pandemic happened and how it affects entire families when it hit them without a warning.

I can relate to the struggles faced due to the pandemic. I was hoping the entire time nothing worse would happen to the family.

You get to read this short book. It's thrilling, realistic, it's still happening.

Thank you, Astra Publishing House, for the advance reading copy.

I need the book!