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What Members Thought
Mock Newbery 2010
There were a lot of things I disliked about this, but let's start with the positives: it portrays homelessness in an interesting way, from the family being evicted, to living in a motel, to pitching a tent in the woods, all the while making the best of it and trying to stay together and support each other. It also features one my my favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird, heavily.
But To Kill a Mockingbird it is not. I thought Harper Lee's voice as a narrator was too flowery. It ...more
There were a lot of things I disliked about this, but let's start with the positives: it portrays homelessness in an interesting way, from the family being evicted, to living in a motel, to pitching a tent in the woods, all the while making the best of it and trying to stay together and support each other. It also features one my my favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird, heavily.
But To Kill a Mockingbird it is not. I thought Harper Lee's voice as a narrator was too flowery. It ...more
It’s the most exciting time of the year for fifth grader Harper Lee Morgan. The poetry contest is coming. But when Harper gets home one day from school, all their things are out on their front lawn. Mama’s been having a hard time paying the bills, but Harper just can’t believe the landlord would throw them outside like that. They pack up as much of their things as they can and move into a motel room. The next day, Mama asks Harper to watch her little brother instead of going to school. Harper ca
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Harper Lee, named after the protagonist in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by her mother's favorite author,Harper Lee, is a memorable young protagonist who will tug on your heartstrings and have you rooting for her triumph. Her father has left and her mother is down and out on her luck. Harper Lee is a precocious fifth grade poet who has to put her own dreams on hold to hold together her family when they are evicted from their home and her mom loses her job. Besides giving a very real depiction
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Jul 18, 2009
Susan Dunn
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
j-fiction,
potential-booktalks
This book gets the prize for best characters' names! Harper, Hemingway and Flannery. Harper's dad has left after the death of the baby, and her mom loses their house shortly after. The family has to go and live in a run down old hotel while Mom works extra jobs to try and make enough money to get into a house again. Harper, who loves school, has to stay home and watch Hem. Despite everything though, she continues to write - just like her namesake.
A great portrayal of homelessness. ...more
A great portrayal of homelessness. ...more
This book is Not a heartwarming/uplifting story. This book IS realistic fiction about a challenging topic - the homeless, specifically mothers and children. The characters are engaging and authentic, but the setting and plot present difficult subject matter and many sad circumstances. I found it depressing but my 10 year-old daughter loved the characters and the story.
This was a reread for me to get ready for a student/parent book club next Monday. The poetry in this book is so lovely it breaks my heart.
I loved the poetry that Harper writes in this story. Sympathetic characters in an unfortunate situation, ending with some hope.
This book wasn't what I expected, but I enjoyed it. Harper is a tough likable character.
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Really 3.5 stars. Review to come when I have some down time from #bookaday and holidays
First time author
3.5 Loved the poetry. Serious subjects of alcoholism and homelessness.
The serious issue of homelessness handled delicately with southern style.
Jul 18, 2009
Sharon
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
a-fiction-middle,
homeless
Jan 17, 2010
Christina
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2009-kids-ya,
middle-school
