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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My niece read this for her literature class, and it’s the most excited and talkative I’ve ever seen her about school. I knew basically the entire plot going in from her telling it to me multiple times, but I wanted to read it for myself so I could talk about it with her.
Am I the intended audience for this? No. But even I got something (a lot of things, actually) out of it. I’m so glad it’s being taught in schools even 25 years after its publication.
Am I the intended audience for this? No. But even I got something (a lot of things, actually) out of it. I’m so glad it’s being taught in schools even 25 years after its publication.
A well-written YA book that allowed the story to unfold without trying to do too much. The main character is likable, sympathetic, and extremely polite. The historical details ring true. And the ending is a surprise without being unrealistic.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
I actually really, really liked this book. The main thing keeping me from giving it five stars is the sloppy wrap-up at the end. Even though Bud had figured out his relation to Calloway, Calloway was still grieving, and so wasn't shown as processing the information, and his relationship with Bud wasn't explored as much as I feel it should have been, and because of this the ending wasn't satisfying.
Definitely Christopher Paul Curtis' best. It's a quick story (especially for older readers), but full of Curtis' humor and heart. Any kid around Bud's age will identify with the way he sees the world, even if he lived during the Great Depression. There's usually a bit of tragedy in Curtis' books, as there is in the real world, but there's not a whole lot in this story, and it has a great ending.
I found this book in my childhood bedroom when I was there for Thanksgiving and re-read it. It was still enjoyable to read as an adult and it was almost therapeutic-like to have flashbacks to when I was in elementary school and reading this book.
Fantastic middle-grade book. Such sweet storytelling that includes very topical information on the Great Depression - especially the difficulty of this time period for African-Americans, as well as the need for labor organizing. I loved Bud and all of the characters were terrific. The afterword by the author made me cry, and was amazing. Please read this book!