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I fear my experience of this book suffered, because I'd just finished The Only and One Ivan.
I liked it. A lot. But I didn't love it.
I thought the history was well handled, the characters pretty real in most ways. I liked the friendship at the center of the book. And I liked that we got to see a full cast of characters, therefore a range of reactions to integration.
But the prose wasn't that special, and the ways in which the book tried to do "more" felt forced to me. The conceit of a kid who does ...more
I liked it. A lot. But I didn't love it.
I thought the history was well handled, the characters pretty real in most ways. I liked the friendship at the center of the book. And I liked that we got to see a full cast of characters, therefore a range of reactions to integration.
But the prose wasn't that special, and the ways in which the book tried to do "more" felt forced to me. The conceit of a kid who does ...more
I'm a huge fan of Kristin Levine's first book The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, so I was predisposed to like this one, too. Again, she creates a compelling unlikely friendship between kids that are divided by race and racism. Again, the history is well researched and you feel like you're being educated and entertained at the same time.
Did you know that the year after the Little Rock Nine integrated Central High the governor of Arkansas closed the school rather than let it remain integrated? I didn' ...more
Did you know that the year after the Little Rock Nine integrated Central High the governor of Arkansas closed the school rather than let it remain integrated? I didn' ...more
Loved this story of a white girl, Marlee, in Little Rock, Arkansas during the battle over school desegregation. She and her family are struggling to manage conflicting opinions on how they each feel about the issue. Meanwhile, Marlee has finally found the kind of friend she's been yearning for: someone who understands her and shares her interests.
Marlee has been practically mute in school and out in public. Her new friend encourages her to find her voice. Little does her friend realize what an ...more
Marlee has been practically mute in school and out in public. Her new friend encourages her to find her voice. Little does her friend realize what an ...more
I usually have to talk myself into reading historical fiction and the only reason I chose to read this book is because it has been mentioned frequently as a Newbery possibility. However, I started it and couldn't put it down and ended up reading it all in one evening. The fact that the book focuses on Little Rock the year after Central High was integrated shows how complex social and political problems don't end with one dramatic incident.The characters are complex, the relationships ambivalent,
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I'm a sucker for books about less-known periods in history. So I love the premise of a book written the school year AFTER the Little Rock Nine integrated Central High School.
My main problem with the book was that sometimes the language would turn super-not-kid-like. At one point Marlee's dad starts talking about voting and having a quorum and she's just like ah, yes, a quorum. I don't know, situations like that pulled me out of the reality of Marlee's experience.
I've been thinking a lot about pa ...more
My main problem with the book was that sometimes the language would turn super-not-kid-like. At one point Marlee's dad starts talking about voting and having a quorum and she's just like ah, yes, a quorum. I don't know, situations like that pulled me out of the reality of Marlee's experience.
I've been thinking a lot about pa ...more
Ironically, I had been reading this book when I saw Bill review it on our blog. In my humble opinion, I couldn't agree with him more that this was an amazing book, and one that deserves extra notice next January. This book will be part of my class this year - trying to decide what is the best fit - whole class read aloud or a book club. Really leaning toward whole class -- would be a genre I don't read a lot (historical fiction), and it's a wonderful story I want to share with as many children a
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I loved Marlee's voice, her growth and friendship with Liz. The historical details were just right for this type of fiction: I learned just enough real facts that make me want to learn more, without bogging down the fictional story line. A great author's note and resource list, including movies, round out this excellent book. I listened to the audio, which I thought was a decent production.
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It would be interesting to pair this with COUNTDOWN. Or THE WATSONS...
Summer #bookaday #46
Summer #bookaday #46
Feb 07, 2012
Barbara
marked it as to-read
Feb 12, 2012
Kristin McIlhagga
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Feb 21, 2012
Monica Edinger
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Feb 24, 2012
Ellie
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Mar 19, 2012
Michelle
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RL 630
May 22, 2012
sharon
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Dec 26, 2012
Astrid Lim
marked it as wishlist
Jan 01, 2013
Marcie Flinchum
marked it as to-read
Jan 05, 2013
Dan
marked it as to-read
