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thedizzyreader's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the characterization, strong voices and lyrical language of this novel. Pinkney does a great job of capturing the excitement and possibility of a specific moment in time. 3 stars because so much of the storyline was left unresolved.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
A story from the Great Depression in three voices - Hibernia, Otis and Willie. I loved the tone - although I didn't notice it at the time, it's told in present tense. More noticeable are the distinct voices and personalities of each character, with their own heartbreaks and hopes. I loved Otis' riddles in particular. It takes a little while before the three stories connect around more than just following Joe Louis' boxing matches, but I enjoyed the ride. I did wonder why the story started in 1937 and then moved back to 1936 - it never felt like a necessary shift in time and only distracted me - but it's a minor quibble in an otherwise solid story.
Source: ARC from publisher
Source: ARC from publisher
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
Generously rounding up from 2 1/2, because there are some very nice moments portrayed here and I find Joe Louis interesting. But, overall, eh. It's just too much - which I can't really explain but maybe you know what I mean? And, for a book written in three voices, those voices are not nearly distinct enough from one another, nor the characters speaking them as multi-dimensional as I would've liked.
maryanne19's review against another edition
4.0
Depression era middle grades novel that uses Joe Louis' boxing victories as a metaphor for triumphing over adversity.
zoemig's review against another edition
Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney takes place in a small upstate New York town during the Great Depression and tells the story of three children- Hibernia, Willie and Otis- and how their lives comes together. Hibernia is the daughter of a Reverend and her mother left to have a singing career in New York City and now Hibernia dreams of someday doing the same. Willie and Otis both live in a home for orphans, but only one of them has lost their parents. Willie left home because of his abusive father and is recovering from his injuries, ones that shattered his chances of being a boxing champ. Meanwhile Otis' only family is the radio he listens to every night, his reminder of the mother and father he lost. The three children find hope in the boxing matches of Joe Louis and his potential to become the country's next heavyweight champion, what they don't realize is how Joe will bring the three of them together.
Bird in a Box book is intended for children aged 9-12 and that is definitely the appropriate audience for it. The story deals with an interesting part of history and lets the reader know what that times was like for three different, yet connected, kids. Although it is certainly a novel, each chapter is divided using an illustration like the one on the cover and I thought the pictures were great. Within each chapter the perspective alternates between the three main characters and although the voices were realistic, I did find the story disjointed at times. Each character's narrative was fairly brief, and as a reader, I'd just be getting interested in their story only to have Pinkney switch to another character. Also, while Hibernia's voice was certainly unique I definitely did find the boys blended together at times, probably because of the short chapters following each other. I also didn't understand why Pinkney began the book with a chapter in the future and then went back in time, it made the first chapter very confusing and it felt unnecessary.
With Bird in a Box Pinkney certainly manages to let the reader in on an important part of history, and she even includes a note about what is real and what is fictional in her story which is something I really appreciate with historical fiction. It was also neat that she used real radio dialogue in telling the story, weaving in bits of history that the reader is able to pick up without thinking. The most memorable character was definitely Hibernia, I loved her. She had spunk and sass and she definitely made the novel worthwhile. Unfortunately, I did find some of the character development weak, but it is probably not something I would have picked up on if I'd be within the intended audience age category. Ultimately, Bird in a Box is not only a good way for a middle-grade audience to learn more about the Great Depression, but also a positive book about triumphing against the odds.
Bird in a Box book is intended for children aged 9-12 and that is definitely the appropriate audience for it. The story deals with an interesting part of history and lets the reader know what that times was like for three different, yet connected, kids. Although it is certainly a novel, each chapter is divided using an illustration like the one on the cover and I thought the pictures were great. Within each chapter the perspective alternates between the three main characters and although the voices were realistic, I did find the story disjointed at times. Each character's narrative was fairly brief, and as a reader, I'd just be getting interested in their story only to have Pinkney switch to another character. Also, while Hibernia's voice was certainly unique I definitely did find the boys blended together at times, probably because of the short chapters following each other. I also didn't understand why Pinkney began the book with a chapter in the future and then went back in time, it made the first chapter very confusing and it felt unnecessary.
With Bird in a Box Pinkney certainly manages to let the reader in on an important part of history, and she even includes a note about what is real and what is fictional in her story which is something I really appreciate with historical fiction. It was also neat that she used real radio dialogue in telling the story, weaving in bits of history that the reader is able to pick up without thinking. The most memorable character was definitely Hibernia, I loved her. She had spunk and sass and she definitely made the novel worthwhile. Unfortunately, I did find some of the character development weak, but it is probably not something I would have picked up on if I'd be within the intended audience age category. Ultimately, Bird in a Box is not only a good way for a middle-grade audience to learn more about the Great Depression, but also a positive book about triumphing against the odds.
couillac's review against another edition
4.0
I was completely charmed by this book. 3 young kids in depression-era Harlem, 2 in an orphanage and 1 living along with her preacher father, struggle to make their dreams come true. For Hibernia, that means convincing her dad that allowing her to become a famous singer is really God's will. For Otis, it's finding a place in the world after the tragic death of his loving parents. And for Willie, it's adjusting to the double loss of his mother, who sent him out in the world to escape his abusive father, and boxing, his great love, now no longer viable because his father has severely burned his hands in an act of malice. I had a few quibbles with the story, including a stark difference in Hibernia's character from the chapters in which she's narrating to those in which others are narrating about her, but I just loved reading this book. The stories intertwine around boxing champion Joe Louis's triumphs and losses, culminating in his famous win over a Nazi-sympathizing German fighter. Pinkney breathes life and depth into that era, particularly in the ways she handles the radio broadcasts and their importance to so many characters. I really highly recommend this one - the characters will stick with you, and you'll be drawn in from beginning to end.
atschakfoert's review against another edition
4.0
Great historical fiction for boys or girls ages 9-12ish. Warning: there is some child abuse in the beginning which may upset some kiddos (or parents).
me_myself_myshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Not a personal favorite, but it was well written and researched.
bibliokris's review against another edition
4.0
A strong book--I enjoyed the setting (1930s upstate New York, orphanage, mostly) and the backdrop of Joe Louis's fights. Gave a lot of great background about how African-Americans rallied around Joe Louis and saw his achievements as theirs--very moving.
The book was strong in presenting the sadness of the 3 orphans, and how they found each other as well as a way to survive & thrive.
I'm still mulling whether I feel this one's strong enough to win. I enjoyed it; I think there was a lot to learn & savor here, but I didn't feel the characters lived as strongly in my mind as May Amelia in Holm's latest book. May have something to do w/ 3 protagonists instead of 1...So I'm giving thought to this & haven't decided yet how I would vote if I were on the committee. Part of me feels like my winner's still out there.
The book was strong in presenting the sadness of the 3 orphans, and how they found each other as well as a way to survive & thrive.
I'm still mulling whether I feel this one's strong enough to win. I enjoyed it; I think there was a lot to learn & savor here, but I didn't feel the characters lived as strongly in my mind as May Amelia in Holm's latest book. May have something to do w/ 3 protagonists instead of 1...So I'm giving thought to this & haven't decided yet how I would vote if I were on the committee. Part of me feels like my winner's still out there.