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annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.75
A very short but compelling biography of a muck-loved Sci-Fi writer and the mother of Afrofuturism.
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/reviewing-four-books-where-i-learned.html
A very short but compelling biography of a muck-loved Sci-Fi writer and the mother of Afrofuturism.
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2022/11/reviewing-four-books-where-i-learned.html
marehayy's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Zoboi weaves together poems, short narratives, artifacts, and quotes from Octavia Butler to form a portrait of her early life and literary career. Intended for a YA audience and still thoughtful and compelling to read as an adult.
lizshayne's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Another round of "it's been long enough between adding this book to my TBR and reading it that I forgot what it was about" so, um, possibly I should not have been surprised that it was poetry.
It was lovely and I wish I had been in the right frame of mind for it. But the way that Zoboi captures (and sets free) Butler as a strange and determined child is so good.
It was lovely and I wish I had been in the right frame of mind for it. But the way that Zoboi captures (and sets free) Butler as a strange and determined child is so good.
krissyronan's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
A truly unique and fascinating look at Octavia Butler’s life and how she came to be the genius writer still impacting readers today.
becandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings:
Star Child is a truly unique and special style of biography. Woven throughout with prose and verse from the author, Zoboi, this biography weaves a story about the youth and coming-of-age of the renowned Octavia Butler. The real-life story is presented in such a personal way, with anecdotes that will resonate with the younger audience it has been written for. In parallel, it also touches on a number of milestones from the era - including the baby boom, the space race, WWII and the Civil Rights Movement.
While at times it reads in a way that seems older than the proposed middle-grade audience, I think this is a book perfect for readers who have an honest interest in biographies. It is also a fantastic option for young adult readers who are looking for a simple, but interesting, insight into the author's life. This is a book that will make all readers think and consider how different circumstances can mould someone's life, but in the end it is an individual's own choices and motivation that makes them who they are.
Spoiler
miscarriage mentioned, poverty themes, war discussed, racism, sexismStar Child is a truly unique and special style of biography. Woven throughout with prose and verse from the author, Zoboi, this biography weaves a story about the youth and coming-of-age of the renowned Octavia Butler. The real-life story is presented in such a personal way, with anecdotes that will resonate with the younger audience it has been written for. In parallel, it also touches on a number of milestones from the era - including the baby boom, the space race, WWII and the Civil Rights Movement.
While at times it reads in a way that seems older than the proposed middle-grade audience, I think this is a book perfect for readers who have an honest interest in biographies. It is also a fantastic option for young adult readers who are looking for a simple, but interesting, insight into the author's life. This is a book that will make all readers think and consider how different circumstances can mould someone's life, but in the end it is an individual's own choices and motivation that makes them who they are.
Note: Review copy received from NetGalley. This does not impact opinions within this review.
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Happy reading! ❤
amyreadsbooks917's review against another edition
3.0
This is an interesting introduction to Octavia E. Butler. Her life is presented through pictures, quotes, essays on historical context, and poems interpreting her experience. This felt like an "ode to Octavia" moreso than an informational biography, but I actually really enjoyed that. This is worth picking up if you want to know more about what Butler overcame to become an author.
resslesa's review
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
Really interesting biographical information mixed with poems to convey some of the same information. I liked the biographical information, but I found the quotes by Octavia Butler said the same information that Ibi then wrote in the biographical information. I don't think that the poems really added much to the biography. The reading of the poems by Robin Miles was fine but Ibi herself narrating the biographical information was not good-her voice sounded like she had a cold (lots of mucus) and I was overall quite disappointed with the audio. Interesting that Octavia and Ibi share a birthday and that Ibi actually met and talked with Octavia.