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dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
4.0
Christopher Paul Curtis, you've done it again!
acdhamija's review against another edition
5.0
Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bucking the Sarge. 2004. 259 pp. $6.99. Wendy Lamb. 385-32307-7. Ages 13 & Up. Luther T. Farrell is different from a lot of teens in Flint, Michigan. For starters, he is working on his third first place medal in the High School science fair, hoping to beat his crush Shayla yet again. He also has a drivers license that says he’s eighteen, and he gets to drive and $80,000 van. But the biggest difference in Luther T. Farrell’s life is his mother, or the Sarge, who expects Luther to work full-time running her men’s group home and helping out with her other nefarious business interests in exchange for contributions to his education fund - which Luther figures should have at least $90,000 for him to put to use to his education to become the world’s most famous philosopher. As much as the Sarge wants him to take over her business, Luther can’t bring himself to kick out tenants or condone the exorbitant interest rates on her “friendly neighbor loans.” When Luther betrays the Sarge’s business interests, it becomes Luther’s turn to take control of his life and buck the Sarge’s expectations - if he can escape alive. A vivid portrait of life in a city gripped by poverty and exploitation. Curtis brings a refreshing and unique voice of an African American teen who is highly intelligent, hardworking, and attuned to the immorality of the world he is trapped in. Reader’s will cheer for this underdog as he finally gains the courage to outwit his dictatorial mother. Highly recommended. Ages 13 & Up.
a_manning11's review against another edition
4.0
I had a hard time getting into this book (maybe I'm not the intended reader - just a hunch), but by the time I finished it I had to agree that this is an outstanding book, full of humor, that tells it like it is. The characters are drawn very well, and although Luther's life seems a little unrealistic at first, the book makes sense, and makes it's point very well (read it to find out).
I would say that this is a book that wants to be talked about. As Curtis doesn't preach, you have to figure things out for yourself. And there is a lot that you can talk about.
Curtis manages without stereotypes, exaggeration and pessimism - a rare book indeed.
I would say that this is a book that wants to be talked about. As Curtis doesn't preach, you have to figure things out for yourself. And there is a lot that you can talk about.
Curtis manages without stereotypes, exaggeration and pessimism - a rare book indeed.
msseviereads's review against another edition
5.0
Great read! Might be the worst mom character ever ---
Will purchase for my classroom when we are back in school!
Will purchase for my classroom when we are back in school!
residentrunner1_'s review against another edition
4.0
I snatched my wallet and opened it to see if anything was missing. I felt like I had been gut-punched. Except for one thing, it was completely empty.
Ever since The Watsons Go To Birmingham, I have been an avid fan of Christopher Paul Curtis' books.
This disappointed me a bit. It wasn't written in a way I could understand it, yet I still kind of understood it.
I would recommend it still, yet it disappointed me a bit.
4.3***out of 5
Ever since The Watsons Go To Birmingham, I have been an avid fan of Christopher Paul Curtis' books.
This disappointed me a bit. It wasn't written in a way I could understand it, yet I still kind of understood it.
I would recommend it still, yet it disappointed me a bit.
4.3***out of 5
bluenicorn's review against another edition
1.0
*Edited*
Apparently I did not enjoy this. It was probably just not the type of book I would normally select for myself.
Apparently I did not enjoy this. It was probably just not the type of book I would normally select for myself.
elmeeks's review against another edition
4.0
Rating : **** This book deals with complex issues in a humorous and thoughtful way. Christopher Paul Curtis is great at writing memorable characters that have great depth.
Plot Summary: Luther T. Farrell is a fifteen year old boy who is very mature for his age. He runs one of his mother’s (AKA the Sarge) group homes for men, lives there without his mother, and has been driving since he was thirteen. All Luther T. Farrell wants is to win the school science fair for the third time. But his mother has him working nonstop trying to groom him to take over her empire. So Luther has to be creative if he wants his dreams to come true, even if it means he has to go against the Sarge.
Characters:
Luther T. Farrell- A very responsible 15 year old who’s driver’s license says he is 18. He has been running one of his mother’s group homes for men since he was 13. He is caring, has a good moral compass, and shows compassion towards others.
Sparky- Luther’s best friend. He isn’t the brightest kids but he has Luther’s back. His dream is to get out of Flint.
The Sarge- She is Luther’s mother and a piece of work! She runs a tight ship and together with her right hand man Darnell Dixon she controls most of the low rent housing market in Flint. She is ruthless, scheming, and does not have any maternal instincts.
Chester X- He is a resident at the group home for men that Luther runs. He helps Luther to see how things really are.
Key Issues: a controlling mother, a first love, growing up, homelessness, independence, family, criminal activity, morality.
Additional Information: This book is definitely for high school students. I read the story and listened to the audio version. I really liked the audio version because the reader did a great job of bringing the personalities to life.
Plot Summary: Luther T. Farrell is a fifteen year old boy who is very mature for his age. He runs one of his mother’s (AKA the Sarge) group homes for men, lives there without his mother, and has been driving since he was thirteen. All Luther T. Farrell wants is to win the school science fair for the third time. But his mother has him working nonstop trying to groom him to take over her empire. So Luther has to be creative if he wants his dreams to come true, even if it means he has to go against the Sarge.
Characters:
Luther T. Farrell- A very responsible 15 year old who’s driver’s license says he is 18. He has been running one of his mother’s group homes for men since he was 13. He is caring, has a good moral compass, and shows compassion towards others.
Sparky- Luther’s best friend. He isn’t the brightest kids but he has Luther’s back. His dream is to get out of Flint.
The Sarge- She is Luther’s mother and a piece of work! She runs a tight ship and together with her right hand man Darnell Dixon she controls most of the low rent housing market in Flint. She is ruthless, scheming, and does not have any maternal instincts.
Chester X- He is a resident at the group home for men that Luther runs. He helps Luther to see how things really are.
Key Issues: a controlling mother, a first love, growing up, homelessness, independence, family, criminal activity, morality.
Additional Information: This book is definitely for high school students. I read the story and listened to the audio version. I really liked the audio version because the reader did a great job of bringing the personalities to life.
dannb's review against another edition
4.0
enjoying the YA audio book...the reader is awesome and really brings this story to life. Probably not always appropriate when the 'under teen' set is around...main character is a 15 year old 'philosopher' guy in Flint, MI...mom is essentially a slum lord.