Grimes, Nikki and Lagarrigue, Jerome. 1999. My Man Blue. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 0803723261.
B. Plot Summary:
Damon and his mom move back to his mother's old neighborhood. Damon does not have a father. Shortly after they move in they meet a man by the name of "Blue." Damon's mom explains that Blue is an old friend from the neighborhood, but in the beginning Damon is skeptical about this "old friend." The poem "When We First Met" describes Damons tentativeness, "I circle, look him up ans down and let him know his grin's not winning points with me. My flashing eyes warn "Do not trespass here, " 'Cause in this family I'm the only man."
Throughout the course of the book Nikki Grimes presents poems that show the growing relationship between Damon and Blue. Damon learns that Blue lost his son to the streets, a choice that Blue regrets because Blue was not there when he needed to be. The reader also understands that Blue wants to help and encourage Damon to make the right choices and be safe. One poem entitled "The Watcher" explains how Blue saves Damon from getting run over when his ball goes into the street. Damon stated: "At times I think Blue's actually some gold-tooth angel, guarding me."
The fourteen poems continue building a strong relationship between the two main characters. Finally, Damon admits that when he grows up he wants to be like Blue, which is the title of the last poem.
C. Critical Analysis:
My Man Blue take readers on a journey through getting to know someone and forming a friendship, including all the fears and doubts that accompany new friendships. The book shares the fears of both Damon and Blue. Damon has a fear of Blue trying to be close to his mother. While Blue has a fear of watching another young child being lost to the streets. Damon has a since in the beginning that Blue is tough and mean, but finds out that he has a story to tell and is really a gentle giant, not a threat. This friendship that is formed is an important theme in African American culture.
Along with friendship, another important theme that is prevalent in the book is the theme of families and their loyalties. Damon is incredibly loyal to his mother and feels the need to protect her and take care of her because that is his role as the man in the house. In the poem "My Own Man" Damon describes this loyalty towards his mother after making her a sandwich when she works late and some neighborhood boys are teasing him. Damon states,"What's the matter with that? And, if I take care of my mom, so what? She takes care of me. Don't be no Mama's boy," kids say, Well, tough. I'm made this way." This commitment towards his mother is evident and also is expressed towards Blue as the poems progress through the book.
Another important theme that is carried out through this book is the everyday rituals and events in life. Blue and Damon do common everyday activities that many children do. For example, the play basketball together and Blue teaches Damon that shooting baskets is more fun that shooting a gun. They also spar and Blue teaches Damon how to "be fit for this world." This mentoring of values that Blue demonstrates for Damon also shows the strength and resilience of African American people and culture, which is another theme that continues throughout this book.
D. Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: "Lagarrigue debuts with a set of twilit, impressionistic, sparsely populated street scenes in which Blue, with his shaven head and heavy frame, leans hugely but attentively towards his diminutive companion."
Publishers Weekly: "In 14 knowing, heartfelt poems, Grimes invites readers to witness the friendship that blossoms between Damon, an African American boy without a father, and Blue, a tough-looking man who has lost his sons to the streets."
E. Connections:
To learn more about lessons that can be taught using My Man Blue follow the links below:
http://www.nikkigrimes.com/teacher/bluetg.html
http://www.nikkigrimes.com/teacher/bluetg.html
Look for these other books about African American poetry for young people:
Hughes, Langston. The Dream Keeper and Other Poems. ISBN 0679883479.
Greenfield, Eloise. Honey I Love You and Other Love Poems. ISBN 0064430979.
Grimes, Nikki. Meet Danitra Brown. ISBN 0688154719.
Hughes, Langston. Poetry for Young People. ISBN 1402718454.
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