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Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People
Insightful and fun, this collection of poetry captures the essence of the African American experience for young people.
76 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
22 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Giovanni
162 books1,412 followersYolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. was an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. One of the world's most well-known African-American poets, her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recordings, and nonfiction essays, and covers topics ranging from race and social issues to children's literature. She won numerous awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal and the NAACP Image Award. She was nominated for a Grammy Award for her poetry album, The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. Additionally, she was named as one of Oprah Winfrey's 25 "Living Legends". Giovanni was a member of The Wintergreen Women Writers Collective.
Giovanni gained initial fame in the late 1960s as one of the foremost authors of the Black Arts Movement. Influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement of the period, her early work provides a strong, militant African-American perspective, leading one writer to dub her the "Poet of the Black Revolution". During the 1970s, she began writing children's literature, and co-founded a publishing company, NikTom Ltd, to provide an outlet for other African-American women writers. Over subsequent decades, her works discussed social issues, human relationships, and hip hop. Poems such as "Knoxville, Tennessee" and "Nikki-Rosa" have been frequently re-published in anthologies and other collections.
Giovanni received numerous awards and holds 27 honorary degrees from various colleges and universities. She was also given the key to over two dozen cities. Giovanni was honored with the NAACP Image Award seven times. One of her more unique honors was having a South America bat species, Micronycteris giovanniae, named after her in 2007.
Giovanni was proud of her Appalachian roots and worked to change the way the world views Appalachians and Affrilachians.
Giovanni taught at Queens College, Rutgers, and Ohio State, and was a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech until September 1, 2022. After the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, she delivered a chant-poem at a memorial for the shooting victims.
Giovanni gained initial fame in the late 1960s as one of the foremost authors of the Black Arts Movement. Influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement of the period, her early work provides a strong, militant African-American perspective, leading one writer to dub her the "Poet of the Black Revolution". During the 1970s, she began writing children's literature, and co-founded a publishing company, NikTom Ltd, to provide an outlet for other African-American women writers. Over subsequent decades, her works discussed social issues, human relationships, and hip hop. Poems such as "Knoxville, Tennessee" and "Nikki-Rosa" have been frequently re-published in anthologies and other collections.
Giovanni received numerous awards and holds 27 honorary degrees from various colleges and universities. She was also given the key to over two dozen cities. Giovanni was honored with the NAACP Image Award seven times. One of her more unique honors was having a South America bat species, Micronycteris giovanniae, named after her in 2007.
Giovanni was proud of her Appalachian roots and worked to change the way the world views Appalachians and Affrilachians.
Giovanni taught at Queens College, Rutgers, and Ohio State, and was a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech until September 1, 2022. After the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, she delivered a chant-poem at a memorial for the shooting victims.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 27, 2016
Didn't think I was going to find another American poet I could care very much about. I was wrong.
Certainly didn't think I was going to find a poet besides e.e. who could write a love poem. Wrong about that too.
Didn't think there was much Americana of consequence between '50 and '80 that wasn't stamped "Ginsberg" "Vonnegut" or "Baldwin." Wrong about that, too.
It's a really good wrong to be
Certainly didn't think I was going to find a poet besides e.e. who could write a love poem. Wrong about that too.
Didn't think there was much Americana of consequence between '50 and '80 that wasn't stamped "Ginsberg" "Vonnegut" or "Baldwin." Wrong about that, too.
It's a really good wrong to be
August 5, 2025
This had been on my to-read list since I joined Goodreads, as it was on a list of recommended poetry books for middle school students (and I was an ELA teacher always on the hunt for more poems that my kids could appreciate!). However, I think it's out of print because I recently took it off my list. So of course, I find a copy in this middle school library in which I'm working over the summer, and woot! the ELA teacher is needing poems.
I'm a bit perplexed that someone (many people) recommended it for middle school. It's aim is to inspire a revolution, Black Panther style. It's certainly not going to appeal to my white, rural population, but I would imagine that this, in the hands of Black kids in the 70's, would have been something fierce and deeply relatable. Giovanni sings the praises of revolution, Black culture, Black music of the 7o's, and it's truly beautiful and reverent. I love her racial pride:
"I wish I were/ a shadow/ oh wow! when they put/ the light on/ me i'd grow/ longer and taller and/ BLACKER."
I can see how these poems would connect with young, black humans in the 70's, but I'm not thinking this needs to be in our community library in 2025. I loved the poems, though. I recommend for people my age who know about the Black Panthers, their black history, and the fashion and music of the 70's.
I'm a bit perplexed that someone (many people) recommended it for middle school. It's aim is to inspire a revolution, Black Panther style. It's certainly not going to appeal to my white, rural population, but I would imagine that this, in the hands of Black kids in the 70's, would have been something fierce and deeply relatable. Giovanni sings the praises of revolution, Black culture, Black music of the 7o's, and it's truly beautiful and reverent. I love her racial pride:
"I wish I were/ a shadow/ oh wow! when they put/ the light on/ me i'd grow/ longer and taller and/ BLACKER."
I can see how these poems would connect with young, black humans in the 70's, but I'm not thinking this needs to be in our community library in 2025. I loved the poems, though. I recommend for people my age who know about the Black Panthers, their black history, and the fashion and music of the 70's.
June 14, 2019
Giovanni offers a voice to the unique young black American experience. The books was originally published in 1973, so a few of the cultural and social references are dated, but overwhelmingly, the pieces stand the test of time. The pride and strength encouraged and depicted here are timeless, and Giovanni pulls no punches with language choices and subjects. There are references to racism and revolution, the Black Panthers and Masai warriors. This is a collection that makes people work, but it is worth it.
This is an excellent introduction to the era between the height of the civil rights movement and today. It does not flinch from addressing problems, but it is not without hope and encouragement for change. This would absolutely be invaluable to African-American students, who will see, if not themselves in these pages, at least their parents and grandparents. But it is equally important for non-black children and young adults, who could see a different perspective and view of history.
This is an excellent introduction to the era between the height of the civil rights movement and today. It does not flinch from addressing problems, but it is not without hope and encouragement for change. This would absolutely be invaluable to African-American students, who will see, if not themselves in these pages, at least their parents and grandparents. But it is equally important for non-black children and young adults, who could see a different perspective and view of history.
December 6, 2020
Children’s Books in Children’s Hands [CBCH] (2019) recommends Ego Tripping and Other Poems for the Young by Nikki Giovanni (1993), a collected work of thirty-three poems (CBCH, 2019). The grade for the text is 5-11 with a reading level of 10-16 years. Vocabulary in the poem Ego Tripping include Sphinx, Nile, tears, Allah, and Rome. The Theme of Ego Tripping is self-awareness and empowerment. I heard the text through a read aloud on YouTube and Amazon.com states “... this collection of poetry captures the essence of the African American experience for young people.”
Through the first-person point of view, the poem contains metaphors such as “I am bad,” but bad in a good way, and “I am a gazelle.” The poet refers to herself as the mother of black historical figures such as Hannibal and Nefertiti. Ego Tripping takes the reader on a historical trip, as the narrator flaunts her family’s accomplishments and after hearing them, the reader or listener is enlightened by all their achievements and understands why the narrator’s ego is warranted.
Through the first-person point of view, the poem contains metaphors such as “I am bad,” but bad in a good way, and “I am a gazelle.” The poet refers to herself as the mother of black historical figures such as Hannibal and Nefertiti. Ego Tripping takes the reader on a historical trip, as the narrator flaunts her family’s accomplishments and after hearing them, the reader or listener is enlightened by all their achievements and understands why the narrator’s ego is warranted.
September 16, 2008
What can I say...she is my idol, my mentor, my namesake!!! I am excited to give this book to my nephews!
December 20, 2008
Ego-Tripping is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE poems. She is a MASTER! And very friendly in person FYI!!!!!
August 14, 2009
first book i ever read. i was five.
January 18, 2018
the flowering of change -she's-this book's -seeds
July 24, 2024
Nikki Giovanni’s “Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People” is a thoughtful collection that has readers consider a multitude of themes such as heritage, personal strength, and appreciating life’s experiences. Giovanni utilizes many literary devices to create an easily understandable but complex experience for the reader, especially for those just beginning to read poetry. “Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People” presents poetry as a way of expression, allowing a writer to be proud of who they are and where they came from.
“Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People” is a compelling and approachable poetry book that introduces new readers to the potential of poetry and its rich emotional value. By using themes of cultural heritage, personal empowerment, and cherishing memories, Giovanni offers inspiration and wisdom into the experiences many young people face. She uses many poetic devices, such as metaphors and hyperbole, to paint a canvas of potential impact of poetry. New readers are welcomed by Giovanni’s collection with an engaging and heartfelt reading encounter that honors the resilience and power of the human experience.
“Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People” is a compelling and approachable poetry book that introduces new readers to the potential of poetry and its rich emotional value. By using themes of cultural heritage, personal empowerment, and cherishing memories, Giovanni offers inspiration and wisdom into the experiences many young people face. She uses many poetic devices, such as metaphors and hyperbole, to paint a canvas of potential impact of poetry. New readers are welcomed by Giovanni’s collection with an engaging and heartfelt reading encounter that honors the resilience and power of the human experience.
February 23, 2023
As a former high school teacher- I know Nikki Gionvanni is important and had a pile of her books in my classroom. I finally took a chance to sit down and read one. An important and influential modern female Black American poet - we definitely need more of this in the classroom and around us. I dove in. I have never really loved poetry- and this was basically the same. There were poems I enjoyed-but for the most part...this was not my cup of tea. I nodded my head in agreement for a lot of the works- but a lot was just not my style of poetry, though honestly, I am not sure what my style is.
Read, yes. We all need some influence and poetry in our lives.
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2023: The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list. (not sure why "by pages" is clarified)
Read, yes. We all need some influence and poetry in our lives.
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2023: The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list. (not sure why "by pages" is clarified)
April 20, 2018
The titular poem may now be one of my favorites ever. I will definitely read more of her works.
July 12, 2020
Ma. Giovanni does it again with her creative prose. I will have my teen Daughter read as well.
November 2, 2020
favorites: nikki-rosa, alone, revolutionary dreams
February 7, 2022
Beautiful
December 8, 2022
My favorite poems in this book are Kidnap Poem and Ego Ego-Tripping (there may be a reason why). I love the drawings that accompany the poems.
March 27, 2025
I love how she wrote poems about killing white people then went on to slayed the book clubs circuit
August 21, 2025
Fantastic. #ThugLife iykyk. Thank you for everything Nikki, rest easy
November 5, 2025
Read this while on a substitute teaching job today. Powerful poems! Full of rich descriptions of Black power and pride.
September 16, 2012
1. Book Information:
Author: Nikki Giovanni
Illustrator: Georgia Ford
Title: Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Copyright date: 1993
Number of pages: 76
Grades: 5th – 7th
Where you identified the author: Our Textbook
2. Book Annotation: Nikki Giovanni writes poems that would be easy for children in a middle-class or low-income African American community to identify with.
3. Literary Category: Historical Fiction
4. Reading Notes: In classic Giovanni style, these poems focus on the struggles of growing up as an African American child. I don’t personally identify with much of what she writes about, but can definitely “hear” her voice and experience the feelings she’s trying to convey through her writing. These poems would be extremely useful with speaking with young African American girls, especially of the middle school age, and may help them to discuss problems and frustrations they experience in their own lives. This book also prepares students for high school Language Arts, where the textbooks often contain more popular poems such as “Kidnap Poem."
5. Characters: This question is difficult for poetry as all characters aren’t named…most of the poems are obviously from the perspective of an African American teenager or older child.
6. Related Books: Poetry for Young People by Langston Hughes
Author: Nikki Giovanni
Illustrator: Georgia Ford
Title: Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Copyright date: 1993
Number of pages: 76
Grades: 5th – 7th
Where you identified the author: Our Textbook
2. Book Annotation: Nikki Giovanni writes poems that would be easy for children in a middle-class or low-income African American community to identify with.
3. Literary Category: Historical Fiction
4. Reading Notes: In classic Giovanni style, these poems focus on the struggles of growing up as an African American child. I don’t personally identify with much of what she writes about, but can definitely “hear” her voice and experience the feelings she’s trying to convey through her writing. These poems would be extremely useful with speaking with young African American girls, especially of the middle school age, and may help them to discuss problems and frustrations they experience in their own lives. This book also prepares students for high school Language Arts, where the textbooks often contain more popular poems such as “Kidnap Poem."
5. Characters: This question is difficult for poetry as all characters aren’t named…most of the poems are obviously from the perspective of an African American teenager or older child.
6. Related Books: Poetry for Young People by Langston Hughes
March 16, 2010
Author: Nikki Giovanni; Grades: 3-8
Ego-Tripping is a collection of poems for young people that touches on everything from self-awareness to drug use. Nikki Giovanni finds moments in time, particularly black youth moments, that report on cultural issues.
This is a great book. Some of the poems are not the greatest, but there is something in it for everyone. At some point, the reader can relate to, or be inspired by one of the poems. I like the original artwork a lot better. I would use this book when introducing our poetry unit.
Ego-Tripping is a collection of poems for young people that touches on everything from self-awareness to drug use. Nikki Giovanni finds moments in time, particularly black youth moments, that report on cultural issues.
This is a great book. Some of the poems are not the greatest, but there is something in it for everyone. At some point, the reader can relate to, or be inspired by one of the poems. I like the original artwork a lot better. I would use this book when introducing our poetry unit.
September 13, 2015
This is a great poetry collection that captures the political and artistic voice of the black arts movement flawlessly. It's interesting to compare this edition to the first printing in the relocation of specific poems and the reframing of the work by Virginia Hamilton.
October 20, 2007
i actually want this book to own.
May 20, 2008
An excellent work for young adults!
April 9, 2009
Great pre-teen book for gaining confidence, especially the Ego-Tripping poem.
April 7, 2010
That there was a lot of things going on for the colored people like racism and segregation and they couldn't help but to speak in their minds.
April 19, 2012
Beautiful poems with a heavy Afro-centric vibe to reflect the times they were created. I would not recommend for young people due to the mature language several poems contain.
February 7, 2013
Wonderful read!
May 6, 2013
This book contains so many good poems. I enjoyed it more than I anticipated.
April 6, 2015
This book was a good book but had some intense words given that it was meant for children. I recommend this book to anyone who likes interesting poems.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews