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chuskeyreads's review against another edition
4.0
If you know or teach kids like Keesha, they will love this book of poetry. Those who tend to be a bit more literary will mostly enjoy Frost's clever rhyme schemes and types of poetry with which only professors are familiar.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
5.0
This book is truly amazing. Using traditional poetic forms and a full array of voices, Frost tells the story of Keesha's house and the family she builds there. Some of the kids have families they can trust and safe homes to go back to. Others, including Keesha, don't. We hear about them from themselves and from each other, as well as hearing from some adults in their lives, who often don't know how to do enough, but some of whom come through. We see the dangers, the tragic consequences, but also the many ways to survive.
shelbynuck's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
kaykayfrayfray's review against another edition
5.0
I read this years ago while in an undergrad young adult for educators class. At the time, I was dismissive. Revisited it today after 6 years of teaching middle school and it felt just right. Simply and honestly expresses so many voices while using traditional poetry forms and comparing various points of view. Centers on many difficult themes, but does so in a measured way. Probably best for high school readers but I plan to share excerpts with my middle school students.
jwinchell's review against another edition
3.0
By no means am I diminishing the many and important real-life issues Frost presents in this short work of verse, but Keesha's House reads to me like Ellen Hopkins-lite: Not great verse, too many characters, issue after issue after issue, too tidy resolution. I suppose for a reluctant reader this might be an ok pick, and it's an important addition to any collection. I just didn't find it particularly well written or compelling.
lilthief's review against another edition
3.0
The simplistic poetry style for the novel seemed to make the characters more alive. It was an intertwining of seven children in a touching story of finding a safe haven. A must read for high schoolers.
yabetsy's review against another edition
A series of dramatic monologues are used to tell the stories of the house in which Joe, whose Aunt had taken him into her house when he was young and in need, now owns that house and does the same for a variety of kids with their own problems. The stories are told in sonnets and sestinas, and done so beautifully that many readers were unaware they were reading poetry until afterwards. Keesha needs a safe place to stay, Stephie is pregnant at 16, Harris’s father threw him out… Adults’ are included as well, including teachers, parents, grandparents and Joe himself.
totally85's review
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This was a pretty good read about teens going through different difficulties in their lives. All of them, in some way or another, are connected through a home called Keesha’s House. The book takes on an optimistic tone throughout.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a double edged sword for me.
Although I believe in the spirit of the book - the idea that "Joe" would be so open with these kids and willing to give all he had in order to help them.
BUT, I have a tough time believing that so many people would be willing to give for these kids. First, what he's doing isn't exactly legal, right? Does that alone make it wrong? Ugh, it's hard. And so often, many of the adults that would be willing to do something like this (rescue these kids) aren't doing it from the goodness of their heart. I was glad Joe clarified "too old to be her man, too young to be her old man". Exactly, but so many adults who would do this would blur that line, would expect a "form" of payment.
I wish the American social services was better. i wish I knew the answers to fix it. I wish this WAS the answer, but sadly I just don't think it's all that realistic.
Reading is verse was a nice way to read so many different perspectives.
Although I believe in the spirit of the book - the idea that "Joe" would be so open with these kids and willing to give all he had in order to help them.
BUT, I have a tough time believing that so many people would be willing to give for these kids. First, what he's doing isn't exactly legal, right? Does that alone make it wrong? Ugh, it's hard. And so often, many of the adults that would be willing to do something like this (rescue these kids) aren't doing it from the goodness of their heart. I was glad Joe clarified "too old to be her man, too young to be her old man". Exactly, but so many adults who would do this would blur that line, would expect a "form" of payment.
I wish the American social services was better. i wish I knew the answers to fix it. I wish this WAS the answer, but sadly I just don't think it's all that realistic.
Reading is verse was a nice way to read so many different perspectives.
alex_hobbs01's review against another edition
3.0
I chose to read this book for class, and I liked it. It's a book that isn't afraid to go ahead and dive into some of the heavier issues that teens face: unplanned pregnancy, alternative sexuality, adoption services, parental abuse, and alcoholism are among some of the issues discussed. It's also written in poetic form, making it a fairly quick read and giving it an interesting style. I would recommend it to kids who haven't really caught onto reading just yet (perhaps reading takes to long, or they find books inapplicable to themselves) or any student who I knew needed a safe place, a personal "Keesha's House" if you would.
As we saw in class, there are numerous ways to use this book in a middle school or high school setting. You can use it to teach poetry, dialogue, punctuation, language, or anything else with mechanics. You can also use it as a way to spur good research topics for your class. The issues I've listed above could rouse some interesting papers with a wide variety of topics.
Parental Guide-SPOILERS
Profanity-2 instances of "God." 1 instance of "faggot"The language is very mild in this book.
Violence-There's talk of "killing" a baby in reference to a possible abortion. A girl's arm gets twisted by an abusive father. A girl's body is found in the river (that's all that's said). A boy shows up with a burn on his arm from an abusive father. That same boy is killed in gang violence (not graphically told).
Sex/Nudity-One boy struggles with homosexual feelings (nothing explicit ever said). It's implied that a man might molest a young boy in a public place (a protagonist stops it from happening). One protagonist is pregnant (nothing of conception really mentioned).
Drugs/Alcohol-One boy is in a gang and is a drug carrier. No drug use mentioned. One girl struggles with an alcohol addiction and has a DUI. One father is an alcoholic and abusive.
Vulgarity-The girl who was pregnant "started bleeding" and the baby is lost.
As we saw in class, there are numerous ways to use this book in a middle school or high school setting. You can use it to teach poetry, dialogue, punctuation, language, or anything else with mechanics. You can also use it as a way to spur good research topics for your class. The issues I've listed above could rouse some interesting papers with a wide variety of topics.
Parental Guide-SPOILERS
Profanity-2 instances of "God." 1 instance of "faggot"The language is very mild in this book.
Violence-There's talk of "killing" a baby in reference to a possible abortion. A girl's arm gets twisted by an abusive father. A girl's body is found in the river (that's all that's said). A boy shows up with a burn on his arm from an abusive father. That same boy is killed in gang violence (not graphically told).
Sex/Nudity-One boy struggles with homosexual feelings (nothing explicit ever said). It's implied that a man might molest a young boy in a public place (a protagonist stops it from happening). One protagonist is pregnant (nothing of conception really mentioned).
Drugs/Alcohol-One boy is in a gang and is a drug carrier. No drug use mentioned. One girl struggles with an alcohol addiction and has a DUI. One father is an alcoholic and abusive.
Vulgarity-The girl who was pregnant "started bleeding" and the baby is lost.