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proserpina6's review against another edition
5.0
Part poetry, part prose, and part quotes from Butler herself, this is a beautifully written yet accessible biography written for children but just as lovely to read as an adult. The book mostly focuses on Butler's childhood and adolescence, and includes images of short stories that Butler wrote as a child, and describes how Butler's powerful imagination, tendency to daydream, and love for science fiction isolated her from her teachers and peers. And yet she grew to be the "mother of Afrofuturism" who inspired and paved the way for Black speculative fiction writers such as Nnedi Okorafor, NK Jemisin, Nalo Hopkinson, Nisi Shawl, and many more. I got this from the library but may need to purchase this for my own collection.
prettypious's review against another edition
4.0
It wasnt what I thought but it gave good background on octavia butler
hlongard's review against another edition
informative
reflective
relaxing
4.25
A very approachable read, and I loved learning more about Octavia.
bickie's review against another edition
Told in a constellation of poems (some of which mirror each other in structure and share several phrases), short expository chapters, and excerpts from Butler's own writings or interviews, Star Child explores the underpinnings of Butler's inspirations for her writing and her artistic journey from the novel/soap opera about a magical horse named Silver Star in a pink notebook to the Nebula Award and MacArthur Genius Grant.
I think this would appeal to creative writers who love Butler and/or Zoboi, and it would be a cool book to use in ELA classes to explore poetry and the process of writing. There are a lot of places where information is repeated in the different formats or even from chapter to chapter, such as how Butler was shy and quiet as a student. There are many different kinds of poems as well.
I think this would appeal to creative writers who love Butler and/or Zoboi, and it would be a cool book to use in ELA classes to explore poetry and the process of writing. There are a lot of places where information is repeated in the different formats or even from chapter to chapter, such as how Butler was shy and quiet as a student. There are many different kinds of poems as well.
zydecovivo's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Miscarriage
notesquotesscarletmotes's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
I enjoyed this book but had a hard time with the flow. Bouncing back and forth between the informative sections and poetry sections never really got easier. I didn't really dislike either part, I just didn't feel that they paired very well together.