One last word : wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance

"One Last Word is the work of a master poet." --Kwame Alexander, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Crossover

From the New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes an emotional, special new collection of poetry inspired by the Harlem Renaissance--paired with full-color, original art from today's most exciting African-American illustrators.

Inspired by the writers of the Harlem Renaissance, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses "The Golden Shovel" poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of master poets like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Jean Toomer, and others who enriched history during this era.

Each poem is paired with one-of-a-kind art from today's most exciting African American illustrators--including Pat Cummings, Brian Pinkney, Sean Qualls, James Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, and many more--to create an emotional and thought-provoking book with timely themes for today's readers.

A foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, poet biographies, and index makes this not only a book to cherish, but a wonderful resource and reference as well.

A 2017 New York Public Library Best Kids Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2017, Middle Grade
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017, Nonfiction

Emergency measure / by Nikki Grimes -- Storm ending / by Jean Toomer -- Truth / by Nikki Grimes -- Life and death / by Clara Ann Thompson -- Crucible of champions / by Nikki Grimes -- For a poet / by Countee Cullen -- A safe place / by Nikki Grimes -- Calling dreams / by Georgia Douglas Johnson -- The sculptor / by Nikki Grimes -- We wear the mask / by Paul Laurence Dunbar -- Jabari unmasked / by Nikki Grimes -- Mother to son / by Langston Hughes -- Lessons / by Nikki Grimes -- As the eagle soars / by Jean Toomer -- No hamsters here / by Nikki Grimes -- An excerpt from To Usward / by Gwendolyn Bennett -- In search of a superpower / by Nikki Grimes -- Hope / by Georgia Douglas Johnson -- On bully patrol / by Nikki Grimes -- The negro speaks of rivers / by Langston Hughes -- David's old soul / by Nikki Grimes -- To a dark girl / by Gwendlyn Bennett -- Through the eyes of artists / by Nikki Grimes -- Common dust / by Georgia Douglas Johnson -- A dark date for Josh / by Nikki Grimes -- No images / by Waring Cuney -- Blurred beauty / by Nikki Grimes -- The minor key / by Clara Ann Thompson -- Common denominator / by Nikki Grimes -- I leave the glory days / by Nikki Grimes.