Almost Zero
Authors: Nikki Grimes
A DYAMONDE DANIEL Book
Also by Nikki Grimes
Jazmin’s Notebook
Bronx Masquerade
The Road to Paris
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel Book
A DYAMONDE DANIEL Book
Nikki Grimes
illustrated by
R. Gregory Christie
G. P. Putnam’s Sons
An Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
A division of Penguin Young Readers Group.
Published by The Penguin Group.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014, U.S.A.
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Text copyright © 2010 by Nikki Grimes.
Illustrations copyright © 2010 by R. Gregory Christie.
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 345 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Grimes, Nikki. Almost zero : a Dyamonde Daniel book / Nikki Grimes ; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. p. cm. Summary: Dyamonde is angry at her mother for not buying her the shoes she wants, but when she finds out that a classmate has it a lot worse, she is determined to help. [1. Voluntarism—Fiction. 2. Conduct of life—Fiction. 3. Schools—Fiction.] I. Christie, Gregory, 1971– ill. II. Title.
PZ7.G88429Al 2010 [Fic]—dc22 2010002282
ISBN: 978-1-101-65717-1
For Barb Wallingford,
beloved mother of Adam, Brian, and Emily,
devoted teacher, and passionate lover of literature
—N.G.
For Ruth Edwards
—R.G.C.
3. Mean Mom and the Mustard Stain
Dyamonde is always on the lookout for a friend in need!
Dyamonde Daniel
This third-grader is smart enough to know she should never tell her mom what to do…but sometimes she forgets. Fortunately, Dyamonde can also use that big brain of hers to come up with a plan when a friend needs her help.
Free
He’s Dyamonde’s best friend, and even though she doesn’t always listen to his advice, he always comes through for her when she needs him.
Damaris
A great friend with a big heart, she’s also the best writer Dyamonde knows. She adds poetic flair to any project, and the two girls make a great team!
Isabel
She has a cool white streak in her hair that makes Dyamonde a little jealous. But when Isabel’s family needs help, Dyamonde is determined to make sure they get it.
Tameeka
This stylish girl likes to show off her expensive clothes, and sometimes she’s not very nice, but who knows—she might end up surprising Dyamonde.
Dyamonde’s mom
She loves Dyamonde and works hard to give her everything she needs—but sometimes they don’t agree on the difference between “want” and “need”!
Dyamonde Daniel
was not jealous of anyone. Except maybe Isabel, a girl in her class who was born with a streak of white in her hair that Dyamonde thought was too cool. Plus Isabel was cute, with dimples you could swim in, which didn’t help matters.