--- product_id: 47169102 title: "Garvey's Choice" price: "NZ$27" currency: NZD in_stock: true reviews_count: 7 url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/47169102-garveys-choice store_origin: NZ region: New Zealand --- # Garvey's Choice **Price:** NZ$27 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Garvey's Choice - **How much does it cost?** NZ$27 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/47169102-garveys-choice) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description desertcart.com: Garvey's Choice: 9781629797403: Grimes, Nikki: Books Review: Tanka poetry tells a story - Using the Tanka, a form of Japanese poetry, Grimes shares the story of Garvey. He is overweight and loves reading, astronomy, and singing. He feels the pressure of disappointing his father, who wants an athletic son and suffers constant bullying at school. But thanks to his old friend Joe and new friend, Manny, Garvey goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns where he fits in. This was a very effective way to tell this story. Review: Nikki Grimes has written a classic! - This book is a classic work of art! I don't know why there are not many more five star reviews. It deserves all the awards it has received, and more. This novel in verse eloquently covers so much sensitive territory in a story of an overweight boy who is not interested in the football his father wants him to play. Garvey is more interested in math and astronomy, and is the butt of teasing and bullying due to his weight. Joe, his best friend encourages him to sign up for chorus. There he makes a new friend, Manny, and finds a place he can really shine. In one of many poignant teaching moments, Manny succinctly admonishes Garvey not to stare at his pale skim milk skin (he has albinism) by saying: "This is me. Get over it." With the encouragement of his friends, Garvey blossoms, and gets the courage to tell his true feelings to people he cares about. I think of the 4-6 grade set as a bit young to have coming of age books, but this is surely an exception. In the process, he earns respect from his former tormentors, creates a new bond with his father, learns to have faith in his own choices and literally, find his voice. Garvey's Choice is spot-on with middle grade issues and feelings. Nary a word is wasted, and every word is chosen for its impact. This is a great book for kids to read on their own. Nevertheless, it would be a fun book to read to younger children and discuss the many thoughtful scenes and marvel at how big life issues are framed in ways young people can absorb easily. Kudos to Grimes! ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #140,363 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #110 in Children's Books on Bullying #139 in Children's Performing Arts Fiction #299 in Stories in Verse | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (266) | | Dimensions | 5.24 x 0.51 x 7.68 inches | | Grade level | 3 - 7 | | ISBN-10 | 1629797405 | | ISBN-13 | 978-1629797403 | | Item Weight | 7.2 ounces | | Language | English | | Print length | 120 pages | | Publication date | October 4, 2016 | | Publisher | Wordsong | | Reading age | 8 - 12 years | ## Images ![Garvey's Choice - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719LsOdmUXL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tanka poetry tells a story *by M***D on February 28, 2023* Using the Tanka, a form of Japanese poetry, Grimes shares the story of Garvey. He is overweight and loves reading, astronomy, and singing. He feels the pressure of disappointing his father, who wants an athletic son and suffers constant bullying at school. But thanks to his old friend Joe and new friend, Manny, Garvey goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns where he fits in. This was a very effective way to tell this story. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nikki Grimes has written a classic! *by A***E on July 8, 2017* This book is a classic work of art! I don't know why there are not many more five star reviews. It deserves all the awards it has received, and more. This novel in verse eloquently covers so much sensitive territory in a story of an overweight boy who is not interested in the football his father wants him to play. Garvey is more interested in math and astronomy, and is the butt of teasing and bullying due to his weight. Joe, his best friend encourages him to sign up for chorus. There he makes a new friend, Manny, and finds a place he can really shine. In one of many poignant teaching moments, Manny succinctly admonishes Garvey not to stare at his pale skim milk skin (he has albinism) by saying: "This is me. Get over it." With the encouragement of his friends, Garvey blossoms, and gets the courage to tell his true feelings to people he cares about. I think of the 4-6 grade set as a bit young to have coming of age books, but this is surely an exception. In the process, he earns respect from his former tormentors, creates a new bond with his father, learns to have faith in his own choices and literally, find his voice. Garvey's Choice is spot-on with middle grade issues and feelings. Nary a word is wasted, and every word is chosen for its impact. This is a great book for kids to read on their own. Nevertheless, it would be a fun book to read to younger children and discuss the many thoughtful scenes and marvel at how big life issues are framed in ways young people can absorb easily. Kudos to Grimes! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Content is great, but book was torn *by K***M on March 19, 2024* I ordered 40 copies for my classroom. All copies came in great except one, which was dirty and had a torn cover. This was very disappointing as I wanted to present my students with nice new books. I love this story and wanted to share it with my students. It is a short, easy read that shares a touching story between a father and a son. It also presents ideas related to independence, friendship, and perseverance. I highly recommend it for upper elementary and early middle-grade students. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.nz/products/47169102-garveys-choice](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/47169102-garveys-choice) --- *Product available on Desertcart New Zealand* *Store origin: NZ* *Last updated: 2026-04-28*