Grimes often pairs friendships across gender and/or financial and/or race lines, but she doesn't do it in a 'blind' way- within these friendships, the kids discuss difficult topics and bring attention- with words- the reality that, if these were biographical stories, the characters would have noticed and felt in 'real life'. She makes boys thoughtful, introspective, able to apologize, and kind, and she makes girls the same. But she does make women strong and brave and curious, and she makes boys the same. It's subtle and moderate- Grimes doesn't 'queer' the configuration of femininity or masculinity- nothing is that drastic about her work.

What's becoming one of my favorite attributes of Grimes' writing is her very natural play with gender norms. She's imaginative, playful, proactively willful, and strong, but she's also thoughtful and kind. But that's a little the point- Dyamonde is a little girl who sees and understands with empathy and wisdom uncommonly attributed to children. The tone and problem-solving of the protagonist Dyamonde (pronounced 'Diamond') genuinely sounds like a young child's, albeit a bit more reformed than the typical elem.

Grimes has a knack for writing in the voice of a child without sounding like an adult trying to do so. This advanced 2nd - beginner 4th grade book is really precious.

Make way for dyamonde daniel