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gmamartha's review against another edition
2.0
Will you live your life or let life push you around? Paul is trying to figure out how make something of himself when life is not fair. This could be an advanced philosophy /government /ethics study book, and I don't think I know any middle schoolers who would stick with it enough to understand the meaning. But it's there.
wizardsharks's review against another edition
3.0
I won my copy through Goodreads First Reads.
This is a quick read that will hopefully inspire you to push yourself in future endeavors. In the book, Paul lands a job in a soup kitchen working for Elijah. Through Paul’s discussions with Elijah we are introduced to philosophy of the “social contract.” With his new understanding Paul looks at how the social contract is affecting the people in his life and whether he believes it is better to live within or without these rules.
Elijah is awesome. I love the wise, no-nonsense character that Myers has given us.
“Sit down right there and start slicing up some of those onions while I talk to you, son,” Elijah said. “And please don’t cut your fingers up into the onions, because blood makes the soup salty.”
Thinking about Elijah makes me laugh and thinking about this book makes me hungry. Every soup mentioned within sounds great. If I wasn’t currently dealing with the Texas heat I would be very tempted to knock out an oyster gumbo or a collard greens and ham soup.
This is a quick read that will hopefully inspire you to push yourself in future endeavors. In the book, Paul lands a job in a soup kitchen working for Elijah. Through Paul’s discussions with Elijah we are introduced to philosophy of the “social contract.” With his new understanding Paul looks at how the social contract is affecting the people in his life and whether he believes it is better to live within or without these rules.
Elijah is awesome. I love the wise, no-nonsense character that Myers has given us.
“Sit down right there and start slicing up some of those onions while I talk to you, son,” Elijah said. “And please don’t cut your fingers up into the onions, because blood makes the soup salty.”
Thinking about Elijah makes me laugh and thinking about this book makes me hungry. Every soup mentioned within sounds great. If I wasn’t currently dealing with the Texas heat I would be very tempted to knock out an oyster gumbo or a collard greens and ham soup.
neotears's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
soffox's review against another edition
2.0
I had to read this book for my History class, and I have to say that I was pretty disappointed. I came in pretty hopeful despite not finding the description appealing. But as I was reading, I just wasn't able to get into it. I did't find the characters especially interesting or the plot very intriguing. I think that some of the parts of the story could have gone onto something more, for example Paul's dad, instead of just another example of the social contract. I see why this book could be good for learning about the social contract, but I did not find it enjoyable at all.
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
This book poses an interesting question about personal responsibility. Loved it!
roadoutsidemyhouse's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.75
sunbear98's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, but I think it was too preachy for kids today. I love Walter Dean Myers, but this one might not be a good fit for teen readers.
aimeekessell's review against another edition
2.0
This book wants to be non-fiction, but wants to be fun and engaging to the reader. As such, it is a story about an educational philosophical belief, and it's not fun or engaging. Paul learns to make soup while Paul learns the Social Contract. That's truly it.
On that note, it would be great for high school students in a philosophy class, in hopes of getting them to understand the Social Contract in a more mordern setting with modern examples.
On that note, it would be great for high school students in a philosophy class, in hopes of getting them to understand the Social Contract in a more mordern setting with modern examples.
afro75's review against another edition
4.0
This book poses an interesting question about personal responsibility. Loved it!