This has got to be the most depressing book I have ever read. I had to slog through an incredible amount of graphic violence and senseless brutality bThis has got to be the most depressing book I have ever read. I had to slog through an incredible amount of graphic violence and senseless brutality before the main character encountered even a scrap of kindness. The author doesn't candy coat life on a slave ship in the least. She doesn't spare her readers any details of what life was like for the crew or the slaves. I don't know why this book won the Newbery, it isn't even appropriate for children. I could see how maybe a high school history teacher could use this book in the classroom, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger than 14.
This book is really hard to rate because on the one hand I'm really frustrated because the book portrays the absolute worst of humanity, without contrasting it with a portrayal of the best of humanity. On the other hand, I do want to give the author credit where credit is due. She does have a good command of the English language. However, this can actually be viewed as detrimental, if it wasn't so well written it wouldn't have such a negative affect on people. I just wish that she had used her talent to write something more up lifting.
I have read a lot of books (children's especially) where racial tention is the main theme and usually I enjoy them. But I have a hard time reading a book that is so completely focused on the negative. I felt the same way about the book Sounder. Can't you let the characters have one happy moment? Please?
If you would like to read a book that portrays racial tension that isn't so sad and depressing I recommend Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry by, Mildred D. Taylor. Ms. Taylor is an absolute genius.
This is not a book I would've chosen to read had it not won the Newbery, but I'm glad I did. I learned a lot about carrier pigeons, and other animals This is not a book I would've chosen to read had it not won the Newbery, but I'm glad I did. I learned a lot about carrier pigeons, and other animals of the Indian jungle. I especially enjoyed the explanation given as to why male pheasants are more colorful than the females. I also enjoyed the wisdom of the Lamas. For example:
"If you pray for other people every morning you can enable them to begin their day with thoughts of purity, courage and love." page 51 "Here let it be inscribed in no equivocal language that almost all our troubles come from fear, worry, and hate. If any man catches one of the three, the other two are added unto it." page 127 (this one reminded me of Yoda).
My favorite character was Ghond, he has some amazing super-human abilities that really came in handy while traveling through the jungle and up through the Himalayas. If I ever have the opportunity to go exploring in the jungle I would definitely request him as my tour guide. ...more
Most of the book is really sad, but it does have a happy ending. Not sure the happy ending will be enough to satisfy my girls though. They are pretty Most of the book is really sad, but it does have a happy ending. Not sure the happy ending will be enough to satisfy my girls though. They are pretty sensitive.
Because this book has received so much praise I'm going to assume that it's a really great book and it probably deserves all of the praise that it has received, for some unknown reason it just didn't hit me. I thought it was a good book, but it just didn't WOW me. Not sure why. ...more
Totally awesome! Absolutely phenomenal writing! I would definitely consider this distinguished children's literature. I will most definitely be re-reaTotally awesome! Absolutely phenomenal writing! I would definitely consider this distinguished children's literature. I will most definitely be re-reading this one. Highly recommended! ...more
This is another Battle of the Books choice that I read with my girls. I'm glad that we read it together because we had a really great discussion afterThis is another Battle of the Books choice that I read with my girls. I'm glad that we read it together because we had a really great discussion afterwards about how to communicate with our parents when we are upset with them and would you be embarrassed to have a friend like Jason? Would you go to a dance with someone like Jason? Would you introduce him to your friends?
I like how this book brings up real issues that real kids deal with everyday. I think that any kid will be able to relate to Catherine's feelings of wanting to make friends and fit in but at the same time wanting to protect her little brother.
I wasn't sure if my girls would like this book because it's kind of slow moving, and nothing really exciting happens, but they loved it! We highly recommend it to all middle graders.
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It made me laugh. It made me cry. It is so well written that it truly made me FEEL what the characters were feeling. So many life I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It made me laugh. It made me cry. It is so well written that it truly made me FEEL what the characters were feeling. So many life lessons in here that he somehow tied in with the works of Shakespeare. I'm not a Shakespeare fan, but I really enjoyed reading this book....more
3.5 stars. This book is so well written that even though it is sad it is also beautiful and very thought provoking. I feel that it deserved to win the3.5 stars. This book is so well written that even though it is sad it is also beautiful and very thought provoking. I feel that it deserved to win the Newbery and I don't always feel that way....more
I have mixed feelings about this book. Communism seems a pretty heavy topic for a 4th or 5th grader. I really like the message, however, I'm really noI have mixed feelings about this book. Communism seems a pretty heavy topic for a 4th or 5th grader. I really like the message, however, I'm really not comfortable with it being a children's book. If any of my kids want to read it I would want to read it with them so that we can discuss it together. I know that if I had read this as a child I would've been totally confused. ...more
This was a pleasant surprise for me. I read The Doll People and didn't care too much for it so I had rather low expectations for this book, but I coulThis was a pleasant surprise for me. I read The Doll People and didn't care too much for it so I had rather low expectations for this book, but I could tell after the first chapter that this one was going to be different. The writing is so much better with this book that I would never guess that this was the same author if I hadn't already looked it up.
I think I like this book so well because I was able to relate to Hattie really well. Hattie is a shy and socially awkward young girl who comes from a family that has a hard time communicating with each other, especially when it comes to important things. I was a shy, awkward young girl, still am actually. My family didn't communicate very well with each other either, however, I do think that we've gotten better over the years.
This book is not only about excepting people who are different from ourselves, but also, that part of growing up is learning that it's not important what other people think of us. Most importantly, it's about realizing that our parents aren't infallible and that we need to continue to love and forgive them anyway.
I also want to say, that Judith Ivey did a GREAT job of reading this book. It surprises me what a difference that makes....more
I think I'd like to give this book 3 1/2 stars. Ms. Holm did an excellent job on characterization, humor, pacing and I do think that most kids would rI think I'd like to give this book 3 1/2 stars. Ms. Holm did an excellent job on characterization, humor, pacing and I do think that most kids would really enjoy reading this book. Turtle does learn and grow through her experiences in FL with her Aunt and cousins. She's not the same person at the end that she was at the beginning (this is a necessity with me). I especially like the Diaper Gang. Really, the only complaints that I have (and their both minor) are: I felt that the ending was a little abrupt and the pirate treasure a bit far-fetched. Other than that it was quite charming. ...more
I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written. You really feel like you are inside of Delphine's head. I felt that her thoughts were very realiI really enjoyed this book. It was very well written. You really feel like you are inside of Delphine's head. I felt that her thoughts were very realistic for an 11 year old. A+ for characterization. I love the three sisters and they're interactions with each other. I also love all of the poetry in the book. The only thing that concerns me is that it almost felt like propaganda for the Black Panther movement. Not sure how I feel about that being in a children's book. Since this book won so many awards, apparently no one else seems to see anything wrong with it? ...more
A profoundly written, truly amazing read, one that I won't forget any time soon.A profoundly written, truly amazing read, one that I won't forget any time soon....more
3.5 Jennifer Holm is a wonderfully talented writer and I love the characters in this book. I love Uncle Dominic for his quirkiness and Frankie is an a3.5 Jennifer Holm is a wonderfully talented writer and I love the characters in this book. I love Uncle Dominic for his quirkiness and Frankie is an absolute hoot! There were times when I was laughing out loud at Frankie's antics. However, as mentioned in a previous review the plot does seem to be lacking some. Still worth the read though....more
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