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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
Rereading this Coretta Scott King Award winner from my childhood. The writing was very simple, and the story was about gender roles with the western as the background. This was where my love of Black cowboys started.
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I, once again, read this for work. But I think it would be a great jumping off point for a student who wants to learn a little bit more about Westward expansion and Black cowboys (but through a fiction lens).
Young Justin learns to be less sexist when he goes to spends time at his grandfather's ranch and is shown a different perspective.
Honestly, I picked this book up at the library as a joke with my sister. But my number one rule with books I own is: I have to read them before I get rid of them. So I found myself reading this book written for young readers this evening.
Sadly, this book didn't have as many biscuits as I would have liked. It did have plenty of sexist attitudes, the n-word, and its fair share of cringe dialogue. I'm not saying that this book was horrible, but it was certainly not great either. And I'm still a bit sad about the lack of biscuits in the first half of the story.
I did find the last scene quite funny when Justin wants to make his family a surprise meal and his mom is petrified that he is going to burn down the kitchen. I don't know why, but I found this interaction to be quite comical. It would take a bunch of persuading for me to let Justin in my kitchen, too.
Overall, "Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World" was certainly not written for me, but I still had the right to read it. It certainly had some language that made me a bit uncomfortable (why are some young boys so turned off from anything deemed "too feminine"?). Anyway, I won't remember anything from this book in two days, but at least I will finally be able to unhaul it.
Honestly, I picked this book up at the library as a joke with my sister. But my number one rule with books I own is: I have to read them before I get rid of them. So I found myself reading this book written for young readers this evening.
Sadly, this book didn't have as many biscuits as I would have liked. It did have plenty of sexist attitudes, the n-word, and its fair share of cringe dialogue. I'm not saying that this book was horrible, but it was certainly not great either. And I'm still a bit sad about the lack of biscuits in the first half of the story.
I did find the last scene quite funny when Justin wants to make his family a surprise meal and his mom is petrified that he is going to burn down the kitchen. I don't know why, but I found this interaction to be quite comical. It would take a bunch of persuading for me to let Justin in my kitchen, too.
Overall, "Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World" was certainly not written for me, but I still had the right to read it. It certainly had some language that made me a bit uncomfortable (why are some young boys so turned off from anything deemed "too feminine"?). Anyway, I won't remember anything from this book in two days, but at least I will finally be able to unhaul it.
This is one of the best children's books I have ever read.
Justin is a young man who is having a tough time at home with his mom and his sisters. He's not able to live up to their expectations in keeping his room clean, making up his bed, and helping with other chores around the house. He prefers to play basketball with his friends, but even when he attempts to be obedient and helpful, he's not able to get things done.
Just when things are starting to go from bad to worse, his grandfather comes by for a visit. Justin has a special relationship with his grandfather, who is the only male influence in his life. He and his grandfather convince his mom that they need a few days away to spend some time together and Justin looks forward to getting away from what he calls "women's work." But when he arrives at his grandfather's ranch, he begins to learn more about helping out around the house and his opportunities to contribute to his family.
This is an endearing story that teaches responsibility, the importance of family, and appreciation for heritage and history. I loved the western-style setting that the story is presented in.
Justin is a young man who is having a tough time at home with his mom and his sisters. He's not able to live up to their expectations in keeping his room clean, making up his bed, and helping with other chores around the house. He prefers to play basketball with his friends, but even when he attempts to be obedient and helpful, he's not able to get things done.
Just when things are starting to go from bad to worse, his grandfather comes by for a visit. Justin has a special relationship with his grandfather, who is the only male influence in his life. He and his grandfather convince his mom that they need a few days away to spend some time together and Justin looks forward to getting away from what he calls "women's work." But when he arrives at his grandfather's ranch, he begins to learn more about helping out around the house and his opportunities to contribute to his family.
This is an endearing story that teaches responsibility, the importance of family, and appreciation for heritage and history. I loved the western-style setting that the story is presented in.
Nice book for those who are interested in 4H. More appropriate for struggling readers.
Second Review:
just as good the second time through. I read it very carefully and crafted discussion questions for a book club with fourth graders, and found lots of layers to this book that repay a second reading.
First Review:
I really enjoyed this book. It's the first one I've read from Mildred Pitts Walker, who wrote a number of award winning children/YA books in the 1980s, including this one, which won the Coretta Scott King Award. I appreciated the way she approached gender roles and responsibilities (Justin's idea of "women's work" and the subversion of the concept by his grandfather). There's also several fascinating historical threads here: the "exodusters" and the history of Black cowboys.
Just a fair warning -- as Justin learns the history of his family tree, there is one brief instance of scary graphic violence, and one use of the n-word. My eight year old loved the book and thought the scary part wasn't too bad.
Can't wait to read some more MPW!
just as good the second time through. I read it very carefully and crafted discussion questions for a book club with fourth graders, and found lots of layers to this book that repay a second reading.
First Review:
I really enjoyed this book. It's the first one I've read from Mildred Pitts Walker, who wrote a number of award winning children/YA books in the 1980s, including this one, which won the Coretta Scott King Award. I appreciated the way she approached gender roles and responsibilities (Justin's idea of "women's work" and the subversion of the concept by his grandfather). There's also several fascinating historical threads here: the "exodusters" and the history of Black cowboys.
Just a fair warning -- as Justin learns the history of his family tree, there is one brief instance of scary graphic violence, and one use of the n-word. My eight year old loved the book and thought the scary part wasn't too bad.
Can't wait to read some more MPW!
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A great story with themes of African American history "out West," male role models, patience and love and dispelling traditional gender roles etc.
Spoiler alert: The book does not include a recipe for the 'Best Biscuits in the World,' which was a great disappoint to my son, (insert smiles).
Spoiler alert: The book does not include a recipe for the 'Best Biscuits in the World,' which was a great disappoint to my son, (insert smiles).
Great story about visiting grandpa on the ranch, and about learning how to take care of yourself. All about confidence, thoughtfulness and kindness. Really lovely.