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Nikki & Deja
Being the best of friends and always doing everything together, Nikki and Deja decide to create an exclusive group of their own in order to keep the arrogant new girl in school from gaining access to their clique in this amusing tale about the trials and tribulations of third-graders.
76 pages, Hardcover
First published December 17, 2007
59 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Karen English
47 books60 followersKaren English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner and the author of the Nikki and Deja and The Carver Chronicles series. Her novels have been praised for their accessible writing, authentic characters, and satisfying storylines. She is a former elementary school teacher and lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 6, 2008
Here is the sad but true fact about the state of children's publishing today. You would think that for all our talk about diversity and equal opportunity that the number of books for children with African-American characters would make up a significant part of the marketplace. Not as such. Oh, you can certainly find picture books with African Americans, if you squint really hard and look in the right places. But here's a fun game to play: Walk into your local bookstore and library and try to find as many early chapter books about black characters as you can find. Go on, try it. And no, black best friends don't count (sorry, Andy Russell). I tried it myself, but aside from The Toothpaste Millionaire (copyright 1972) and the occasional Ann Cameron story, the pickings are significantly slim. What's more, I just don't get sent a lot of books that fall into this category either. But when I do, and when the book is written by someone as accomplished and fun as author Karen English, you can bet your sweet bippy that I'm going to read it. Nikki & Deja is a lovely little book about friendships, jealousy, miscommunication, and forgiveness. Everything, in fact, that kids reading it will relate to.
Nikki and Deja are best friends, no question. They live right by one another, go to the same school, and are generally inseparable. Even when snobby Antonia moves in next door she can't break these two girls apart. But that's before Deja has the idea to start a drill club during recess. It might be fine except that Nikki has NO rhythm. None at all. And when her failure turns the two against one another Deja joins a club of her own without her "best" friend. Will the two be able to ever talk to one another again, or is this just another part of growing up?
Children are too young to be seriously interested in the drama inherent in romantic break-ups and ties. They can't relate. But hand them a book where one kid snubs another or two best friends stop talking and suddenly they're all ears. Even adults who have long passed out of childhood still feel the sting of rejection when they read a book that chronicles so perfectly playground dramas. English has a lovely way with a pen. I've always thought fondly of her book of poetry Speak to Me: And I Will Listen between the Lines, which I always sort of thought of as an unappreciated gem. She brings her talent to bear here with her great dialogue as well. I was a little thrown off by the two girls playing games like jacks (do they still play jacks these days?) but all in all the tone was one of the book's finer qualities.
One of the other things I loved about this title too was that our two heroines decide right from the start that the new girl is a stuck-up snob, and by the end of the book they look deep into their hearts and discover that instead the new girl is actually . . . a stuck-up snob! I was betting good money early in this book that there would be some kind of miraculous conversion or a moment when we talked to Antonia and realized that her snobbiness was just a cover-up for feeling insecure. Maybe that'll be the case in a future Nikki & Deja book, but for this one stuck up is stuck up and there's nothing more to be said about that.
Early chapter books usually contain a picture or two to keep readers going. They don't "need" the pictures if you ask them, but secretly I think they appreciate them just the same. And you know what I liked about Laura Freeman's style? These were not sandwich-starved waifs staring out at you from the cover. The kids in this book weren't fat, but they had heft to them. They had weight. In this body-obsessed culture in which we live, the last thing I want to see when I pick up a book are stick thin skeletons ala Madonna's latest English Roses title. I want kids that actually look like real kids, and Laura Freeman provides me with that. Thank you, Laura! It's downright decent of you.
As I've said before, finding children's books with African-American characters isn't hard, but they're certainly not as common as the five million white kid books out there today. Nikki & Deja is more than just its characters, though. It has heart, and grace, all wrapped up in a lovely little tale. I'll be happy to read the next book in the series should Ms. English care to write it. I hope she does.
Nikki and Deja are best friends, no question. They live right by one another, go to the same school, and are generally inseparable. Even when snobby Antonia moves in next door she can't break these two girls apart. But that's before Deja has the idea to start a drill club during recess. It might be fine except that Nikki has NO rhythm. None at all. And when her failure turns the two against one another Deja joins a club of her own without her "best" friend. Will the two be able to ever talk to one another again, or is this just another part of growing up?
Children are too young to be seriously interested in the drama inherent in romantic break-ups and ties. They can't relate. But hand them a book where one kid snubs another or two best friends stop talking and suddenly they're all ears. Even adults who have long passed out of childhood still feel the sting of rejection when they read a book that chronicles so perfectly playground dramas. English has a lovely way with a pen. I've always thought fondly of her book of poetry Speak to Me: And I Will Listen between the Lines, which I always sort of thought of as an unappreciated gem. She brings her talent to bear here with her great dialogue as well. I was a little thrown off by the two girls playing games like jacks (do they still play jacks these days?) but all in all the tone was one of the book's finer qualities.
One of the other things I loved about this title too was that our two heroines decide right from the start that the new girl is a stuck-up snob, and by the end of the book they look deep into their hearts and discover that instead the new girl is actually . . . a stuck-up snob! I was betting good money early in this book that there would be some kind of miraculous conversion or a moment when we talked to Antonia and realized that her snobbiness was just a cover-up for feeling insecure. Maybe that'll be the case in a future Nikki & Deja book, but for this one stuck up is stuck up and there's nothing more to be said about that.
Early chapter books usually contain a picture or two to keep readers going. They don't "need" the pictures if you ask them, but secretly I think they appreciate them just the same. And you know what I liked about Laura Freeman's style? These were not sandwich-starved waifs staring out at you from the cover. The kids in this book weren't fat, but they had heft to them. They had weight. In this body-obsessed culture in which we live, the last thing I want to see when I pick up a book are stick thin skeletons ala Madonna's latest English Roses title. I want kids that actually look like real kids, and Laura Freeman provides me with that. Thank you, Laura! It's downright decent of you.
As I've said before, finding children's books with African-American characters isn't hard, but they're certainly not as common as the five million white kid books out there today. Nikki & Deja is more than just its characters, though. It has heart, and grace, all wrapped up in a lovely little tale. I'll be happy to read the next book in the series should Ms. English care to write it. I hope she does.
September 27, 2017
**THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S REVIEW (9 years old)**
This book is about two best friends that have an argument, but in the end, they work it out.
What I Liked
-I liked that it was about best friends (I have a best friend named Deja too!).
- I liked how the characters acted in the story.
- I like that this book had a few pictures to go along with the story. Not too many, but just right.
What I Didn't Like
-There isn't anything that I didn't like about this book.
What I Wanted More Of
- I wanted more main characters - more people involved in the actual action of the story.
I gave this book 4 stars because I felt that it was a very good book that can actually describe somebody's life with a best friend. I can't wait to read the next one!
This book is about two best friends that have an argument, but in the end, they work it out.
What I Liked
-I liked that it was about best friends (I have a best friend named Deja too!).
- I liked how the characters acted in the story.
- I like that this book had a few pictures to go along with the story. Not too many, but just right.
What I Didn't Like
-There isn't anything that I didn't like about this book.
What I Wanted More Of
- I wanted more main characters - more people involved in the actual action of the story.
I gave this book 4 stars because I felt that it was a very good book that can actually describe somebody's life with a best friend. I can't wait to read the next one!
September 30, 2016
I literally read this in about 45min - 1 hour. It was cute and short. I mainly read it because I was looking for children's chapter books that contained a main character that was black. The story was cute and something that would happen to many little girls; however, I wanted more of a resolution int the end. I might pick up the rest of the books from the library in the future.
August 4, 2019
An engaging story about two girls who are best friends and live next door to each other. The girls are in 3rd grade and learn some important lessons about friendship and loyalty as the story progresses. Karen English has also made both her main characters African American with one living in a traditional household and one with her aunt. Loved the illustrations!
May 27, 2008
Nikki and Deja gets an extra star from me because it's like a breath of fresh air to read an early chapter book with regular African-American girl characters in everyday situations: trying to do each others' hair, having friendship drama, and hoping the loud kids in line don't get the whole class in trouble. Like many early chapter books, it's a story of friendship between two girls, with chapters of discrete small moments scaffolded within an ongoing storyline. There's drama -- they're BFFs but their friendship is threatened by the new girl -- and of course a happy ending. I thought it was hilarious that one of the major dramatic incidents of the story is that Deja decides to start a drill team in order to have the most exclusive, desirable club in school... but Nikki has no rhythm. It's probably the book's most original moment, and it rings so true! I was SO THERE with Nikki in agonized embarrassment as she faces her total lack of dancing skills. Luckily the adult librarian piece of me could take a step back and laugh at the fact that the world wasn't really ending.
The text is mostly accessible despite some vocabulary speed bumps. The illustrations are cute, but a little babyish for the struggling third and fourth grade readers who might enjoy the story.
The text is mostly accessible despite some vocabulary speed bumps. The illustrations are cute, but a little babyish for the struggling third and fourth grade readers who might enjoy the story.
December 17, 2016
The first installment of a chapter book series featuring African American characters. Even with the diversity movement in children's books, chapter books (always a second cousin) have been primarily left out. The dearth of chapter books for PoC, coupled with the fact that this is authentically rendered realistic fiction, make this chapter book series an important contribution to the canon of children's literature.
The writing is solid. Both the neighborhood and the school feel genuine. Written by a retired elementary school teacher, it is no surprise that the teacher is the strongest character in the series. The main shortcoming of this series is the lack of empathy the two BFFs have for one another. Nikki and Deja have a tendency to talk AT one another, rather than TO each other. I realize they are young children with not-yet-developed social skills, but this still feels wrong for two kids who are so close.
In this first book of the Nikki & Deja series, Nikki and Deja have a disagreement. Also, a new classmate moves onto their street, and this girl becomes their nemesis. (Both of these elements continue through the entire series.) Starting a club, recruiting members, and excluding certain people are all rather typical behavior of girls in elementary school. While there is nothing that particularly stands out in terms of plot, many young girls will see themselves reflected in Nikki and Deja.
The writing is solid. Both the neighborhood and the school feel genuine. Written by a retired elementary school teacher, it is no surprise that the teacher is the strongest character in the series. The main shortcoming of this series is the lack of empathy the two BFFs have for one another. Nikki and Deja have a tendency to talk AT one another, rather than TO each other. I realize they are young children with not-yet-developed social skills, but this still feels wrong for two kids who are so close.
In this first book of the Nikki & Deja series, Nikki and Deja have a disagreement. Also, a new classmate moves onto their street, and this girl becomes their nemesis. (Both of these elements continue through the entire series.) Starting a club, recruiting members, and excluding certain people are all rather typical behavior of girls in elementary school. While there is nothing that particularly stands out in terms of plot, many young girls will see themselves reflected in Nikki and Deja.
July 17, 2017
Well, unlike at least one other reviewer, I saw Nikki as of East Indian descent, and Deja as of African. After all, Nikki doesn't know about kinky hair... And they're not even necessarily American, so saying "African-American" is rather silly. They're just two little girls, best friends in a friendly working-class neighborhood. Which is a good thing.
However, Deja is a Mean Girl, and Nikki is working hard to become one.
Yes. Note that even after they supposedly learn their lesson, Antonia is still out in the cold, and Deja still likes to be the last to have a bit of cookie to eat....
However, Deja is a Mean Girl, and Nikki is working hard to become one.
Yes. Note that even after they supposedly learn their lesson, Antonia is still out in the cold, and Deja still likes to be the last to have a bit of cookie to eat....
February 26, 2008
A few story touches and the illustrations show that this appens to be about 2 African American girls. But Nikki and Deja's friendship with its ups and downs is the same sort of experience little girls of all backgrounds go through is timeless. The lack of slang, gadgets, or brand name dropping will keep this from dating. The fact that it is short and simply written will make it useful for younger readers just tackling novels. In short while it's not a book that will set the pond on fire, it's a useful purchase for any library collection.
November 24, 2012
This story had so much potential to effectively address the exclusivity of best friends and clubs popular among young girls. However, the author completely drops the ball, allowing the girls to be mean with each other and never resolving the problems that arise. Could be a great book for discussions with teacher guidance, yet I hesitate to recommend it to young readers who don't yet possess the comprehension skills to question the books resolve and the characters relationships.
January 20, 2016
this is a very cute series. the characters are regular kids and they do stupid things and mean things and kind things and other things like NORMAL KIDS.
I love books that help normalize diverse groups. This book is not for black kids. This book is for kids.
I love books that help normalize diverse groups. This book is not for black kids. This book is for kids.
July 30, 2008
An African-American version of Ivy & Bean, but not as interesting a plot.
April 22, 2017
Great beginning chapter book about two friends who live next door to each other.
August 7, 2020
An amazing gem of a beginning reader. The characters are fun, fresh and developmentally appropriate. Story is spot on.
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June 14, 2015As an adult I find friendship woes kind of tedious, but I remember being in elementary school and those challenges were really important. Nikki and Deja is another one of these friendship books that I think does a great job of modeling what good friends do. I really appreciate that this book (and others about friendship) show that friends can fight. This isn’t a Pollyanna of a book. Friendship, and really any relationship, takes work and will have it’s share of bumps along the way.
I also appreciated that there was on big Apology Scene at the end. The girls do make up, but by and large they let things go, an important skill for kids to learn.
I wish that the new girl wasn’t such a two-dimensional pain, but I completely remember seeing kids that way when I was that age. I think the book will ring very true for kids in that second/third grade range. This is the start of a series so kids who click with the girls can follow them into other stories. There’s a great mix of diversity in the book, too which makes it an excellent addition to any collection.
I also appreciated that there was on big Apology Scene at the end. The girls do make up, but by and large they let things go, an important skill for kids to learn.
I wish that the new girl wasn’t such a two-dimensional pain, but I completely remember seeing kids that way when I was that age. I think the book will ring very true for kids in that second/third grade range. This is the start of a series so kids who click with the girls can follow them into other stories. There’s a great mix of diversity in the book, too which makes it an excellent addition to any collection.
March 11, 2012
Nikki and Deja are third graders, best friends living next door to each other. Deja can’t stop thinking about her birthday party, and she’s been talking about it for days. Nikki tries to be patient and helpful, but it’s hard sometimes! Now all sorts of things are threatening to ruin Deja’s big day: Her mom has to go on a last-minute business trip; another popular girl at school is going to throw a “just because” party on the same day as Deja’s party. What are the two friends going to do? Will Deja’s party turn out OK — or will it be the worst birthday ever? This chapter book really resonates with kids in second and third grades. They can relate to how hard it is to feel outdone by a kid at school, and they know what it’s like to struggle with your own best friend. This early chapter book is a winner at our school.
December 3, 2012
I thought that this story about two friends was extremely cute and completely appealing to young students. I think that teaching students about social interaction, friendships, and emotions are just as important as teaching academic material. I think that this story is also great for students that are beginning to read chapter books. This book is great for students who may be dealing with similar conflicts with friends. I also think that this story is great because it relates to things particularly seen in african american culture. I really wished that I had books like this in my classroom when I was an elementary student. I would definitely include this book in my third grade classroom. Awesome read!
October 20, 2018
10/15/2018 ~~ This book perfectly illustrates the "girl drama" that can take place among children who are in the same class and go to the same school.
I appreciated that the books showed characters of color doing "kid stuff," without exploring overtly critical issues.
In a few cases, I felt that the two girls actually seemed a bit older than the scene in the first chapter (thumb sucking, not knowing how to braid.) After reading the second and third books in the series, I think I'll be recommending that my elementary readers begin with other books in the series.
I appreciated that the books showed characters of color doing "kid stuff," without exploring overtly critical issues.
In a few cases, I felt that the two girls actually seemed a bit older than the scene in the first chapter (thumb sucking, not knowing how to braid.) After reading the second and third books in the series, I think I'll be recommending that my elementary readers begin with other books in the series.
January 30, 2008
I didn't like this...or dislike it. It's the portrayal of a friendship between two 3rd grade girls. While most girls have experienced the ups and downs in a friendship that these girls experience, thus cementing its wide appeal, the book didn't really offer a fresh perspective.
What I did appreciate was the portrayal of African-American girls without changing their vernacular or blatantly pointing it out in the text. This could be very popular in most of our branches, and I'll certainly buy a lot of copies.
What I did appreciate was the portrayal of African-American girls without changing their vernacular or blatantly pointing it out in the text. This could be very popular in most of our branches, and I'll certainly buy a lot of copies.
April 19, 2010
Nikki and Deja are third graders who also happen to be best friends. When a new girl moves in and acts snotty toward them they decide to form a club just so they can keep her out. This don't work out exactly as they plan. This is a great series for black/african american girls (or boys) that doesn't focus the story around the color of their skin but rather on their friendship and relationships around them. Great for little girls who want to read for fun and looking for characters to identify with.
November 5, 2014
I really loved the book because the book was about two little girls living next door from each other and nikki loved to do deja hair because nikki just didn"nt have much hair as deja i guess she loved palying in her hair but in the part of the story deja got tired of nikki playing in here hair and she told her to stop i"m currently reading nikki and deja Election madness but i really like the person who made these books cause they really make very good boooks follow name is karen english and is illustrated by is laura freeman!!
July 6, 2017
A transitional chapter book for elementary school age children about two best friends, Nikki and Deja, that struggle with friendship issues when a new girl moves into the new neighborhood. This book has quick, fast-paced chapters that transition to different settings with a sprinkle of illustrations in black and white to accent key points of the story. At times the book can get confusing with the characters and point of view switching from Nikki and Deja's thoughts to the actual story. However, overall it is a good read.
April 24, 2010
Who doesn't wish they had a best friend who lived next door? (Although I had it pretty close, myself.) Nikki and Deja are the best of friends and next door neighbors - Nikki is organized, and loves to make lists and record her observations about the world; Deja is creative, likes the color lavender, and loves to decorate. Hand this to young girls looking for early chapter books - it's a sweet school story about friendship, jealousy, and forgiveness.
December 22, 2012
This is a great book! Although the chapter about how the children behaved for the substitute teacher is a bit unbelievable (I haven't subbed for a class yet that would allow me to get away with having the "wrong" child pass out papers without letting me hear about it), it deals with every-day, little girl drama. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed Ivy & Bean, but this one is definitely more realistic.
October 8, 2015
I like this book because the characters display a strong friendship with commonl "girl-playground" issues. I also like it because the characters are of color and I find it difficult to find books on this reading level with characters of color. Kudos to author Karen English for giving this to my students of color! Even though the story line lacks a lot of depth, I would recommend this book to my students.
October 23, 2016
Nikki and Deja is about two girls who are the best of friends, they do just about everything together. However these friends runs into trouble. I really enjoyed how the story was told, all the characters were very relate-able. I would recommend this book to grades 2nd-up. I would use the book to teach my students the lesson of friendship as well as to making sure they're not making bad decisions when you're upset.
March 15, 2015
Slim volume which narrates the ups and downs of the friendship between two third graders. While I think the book would spark interesting conversations in a book club / lit circle setting, readers might find the characters lack some depth and issues get resolved too easily. Nevertheless, a good addition for any library seeking to further diversify their collection.
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July 22, 2017Nikki & Deja is the first of a Transitional reader’s book series that follows the relationship of best friends and neighbors Nikki and Deja with graphite pencil illustrations. When a misunderstanding leads to an argument, the two girls join other cliques at school. They each have to make an effort to reconcile when conflict causes their new social circles to unravel.
June 25, 2018
Very good realistic fiction, beginning chapter book. I thought the portrayal of the two girls was incredibly spot on with how friendships in elementary schools have many ups, downs, and challenges. Bonus is that these two little girls are black and one of the first chapters talks about styling their hair. But mostly it is a really great friendship book.
Full review on blog.
Full review on blog.
August 26, 2009
The trials, tribulations, and fun of two 2nd-grade friends - this is a great book to hand to kids just moving out of easy readers and into chapter books. Sweet, funny, and heart-felt, with plenty of illustrations.
September 10, 2015
This is a great selection for kids who aren't ready for Dear Dumb Diary, Allie Finkle, or Dork Diaries but who really want "girl drama" based stories. It's around the same reading level as the Clementine books (or maybe slightly below).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews