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gmamartha's review against another edition
4.0
Once I got the characters' chapters straight in my head, I LOVED this one. Historical fiction that feels like I'm right with it. Go Joe Go!
thewenzl's review against another edition
3.0
Audience- 4-5th grade students, teachers, and young people who are interested in jazz, boxing, or life in the 1930s in America
Appeal- It has an incredibly musical and rhythmic feel to the writing. Using actual commentary from Joe Louis' boxing matches, the author is able to build great suspense and excitement around the fights that will capture any reader's interest and imagination. It would be a great fiction book for Black History Month because it combines the golden age of jazz, the life of African Americans in the 1930s, and the importance of Joe Louis to the spirit and pride of African Americans at that time.
Pre-class Book
Appeal- It has an incredibly musical and rhythmic feel to the writing. Using actual commentary from Joe Louis' boxing matches, the author is able to build great suspense and excitement around the fights that will capture any reader's interest and imagination. It would be a great fiction book for Black History Month because it combines the golden age of jazz, the life of African Americans in the 1930s, and the importance of Joe Louis to the spirit and pride of African Americans at that time.
Pre-class Book
smeyleigh's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book that I could not put down. The book takes place in the early 1900s and the characters listen to Joe Louis' fight on the radio. It also deals with Black American history--which I love to learn more about.
jcarsrud's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet historical fiction about three kids who love Joe Louis. Would be good for anyone who wants historical fiction and maybe is interested in boxing.
bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
Hibernia is the daughter of a preacher who has big dreams of being a singer. Willie has what it takes to be a boxer, but issues with his father are preventing it. Otis just lost both his parents and is struggling to deal with that loss. While they may not seem like they have much in common it is the boxer Joe Louis and the Mercy Home for Negro Orphans that draws them together in upstate New York.
Set in the Great Depression and meticulously researched by Davis Pinkney this quiet story comes to life with the use of three narrators to portray the children. It's a lovely and lively audio production that also includes an afterword read by the author.
Set in the Great Depression and meticulously researched by Davis Pinkney this quiet story comes to life with the use of three narrators to portray the children. It's a lovely and lively audio production that also includes an afterword read by the author.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful story. Loved the voices of Otis, Willie and Hibernia. Warm, hopeful story about life during the depression, regardless of the terrible things that happen to the characters.
bluebird_5's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
We enjoyed the audio version of this book. In order for my kids to better understand the historical references we looked up pictures, talked about racism/radio shows/family structures for the time period, and listened to music that was mentioned in the book. Be sure to read the author's note at the end which adds to the enjoyment of the book. I listened to this with an 8 and 13 year old.
kjw2's review against another edition
4.0
So glad I found this book. Finally a good read aloud for the Historical Fiction genre and something the boys will love.
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
The book is about three twelve-year-old black kids, two of them living in an orphanage. Each of these kids (and in fact, most of the adults in the book) has experienced grievous sorrow: abandonment, abuse, or death. But it is not a sad book - Otis, Willie and Hibernia are shaped by their experiences but not flattened by them. They're kids, after all, and susceptible to comfort. Otis finds a cat; Hibernia sings; Willie bonds with a lady at the orphanage. Otis and Willie play pranks on the mean orphanage director.
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2011/02/bird-box-andrea-davis-pinkney-review.html
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2011/02/bird-box-andrea-davis-pinkney-review.html
cottonquilts's review against another edition
2.0
I really do think MG books can and should develop characters.