About the Author

Poet, activist, mother and professor Nikki Giovanni was born in 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Over the span of thirty years, Nikki has received nineteen honorary degrees from colleges and universities.

Reviews

"This slim volume delights on every page. There are stories, imaginings, whimsy, and startling images which prove the poet's power and her command of language . . . Anyone with a love of language will be delighted with this book and the continuing publication of America's treasured poet." - San Francisco Book Review
"That image of the poet as an astute, intuitive friend could be used to characterize Giovanni's entire oeuvre . . . she is always concerned with the business of living, whether she's celebrating simple pleasures, observing the difficulties of love, or denouncing hate . . . the whole collection is enlivened by Giovanni's distinctive vibrant spirit." - Knoxville News-Sentinel
"Giovanni has long been a force for literary exuberance and social responsibility. In her latest accessible, teasing, and poignant collection, she offers straightforward, plain-speaking, sneakily resonant poems . . . she celebrates the opportunity to 'be a truth giver / contribute / something beautiful and useful to the world.'" - Booklist
"Giovanni remains an architect of life observations. . . . The world is a richer place for her three-decade body of work." - Miami Herald
"Praise for Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea: "An embracing, uplifting, and sustaining voice." - Booklist
Praise for Acolytes: "The work of Nikki Giovanni has been as evolutionary as it has been revolutionary. One of the finest poets of our time. . . Her work still resonates." - Ebony
Praise for The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni: "Wise and mischievous, Giovanni is a must-read at every stage of her happily, still growing oeuvre." - Booklist
"Nikki Giovanni's work has always been remarkable for energy, venturesomeness, direct honesty, and courage." - Gwendolyn Brooks