I think this would be an excellent classroom read. All students can identify with having to hide something out of embarrassment and I think that cultivating a way to accept each other for who you are and what your situation is would be a key to forming better bonds and empathy within a classroom. This book details that amazingly well. There are 3 main characters and I think that a student would be able to identify with at least one of those characters. ( )

Rich is a heartwarming and almost impossibly sweet story. Dyamonde Daniel is such a considerate and well thought out character and the characterization shes given by Nikki grimes is just fantastic. The story quickly sets its tone through dialouge and tells kids what 'poor' is. It is also quick to mention that just because you are 'poor' that doesn't mean anything. Dyamonde feels like a real person who was raised perfectly. It seems weird how empathetic and understanding she is for a third grader. With great characters who have standout personalities and a great lesson to teach Nikki Grimes has made a great story. ( )

Dyamonde is excited to enter a poetry contest which rewards the winner with a one hundred dollars! After discovering one of their classmates lives in a shelter, Dyamonde and her friends decide she needs it the most. She also just so happens to be the best poet in the class. This is a very eye opening book for children and allows them to see the real issues occurring in the world. It also gives hope to people that may be in a similar situation. This was a very enlightening read and I enjoyed the novel. ( )

Overall, this story is a life lesson, it's interesting, and it will grab your attention. Dynamonde discovers it's not always about the money. Having a true friend like Dyamonde is amazing. Dyamonde Daniel would not trade her best friend, Free, for anything. Her best friend free is eager to win this big poetry contest so he can be famous. Also, he wants to win a hundred dollars to get his video game. Free complains that he is poor, he always thinks about what he will do with the money. Then there’s the quietest girl in the class. She signs up for the poetry contest too. Dyamonde knows there’s a mystery about this girl and she’s trying to figure her out. However, Dyamonde helps Free understand there are more things he can do to be rich. Free can do anything if he put his mind to it. ( )

Overall, a great book to read and understand that no matter the background you may come from you can achieve anything you set your mind too. Dyamonde’s free spirit and driven mindset even though she is considered to be the “lower scale”. Another character named, Free, portrays this guy who already has what he wants and just assumes he will receive the winning prize and what he will do with it. Which isn’t a terrible mindset either but it can also be seen as when you already feel on top of the world it can hinder you, so remain humble. ( )