Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Why is Nikki Giovanni writing a poem for her librarian?
- In what ways is this poem about something other than the public library and Mrs. Long?
- Why do you think Giovanni includes such a long description (in stanza 1) of her life back in the day?
- In what ways do Giovanni's thoughts about Mrs. Long match with your own ideas of a mentor-hero? How do they differ?
- What role does race/economic status play in Giovanni's remembrance of the past and Mrs. Long?