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stephtherose_'s review against another edition
5.0
Breathtaking. Reading this beautiful verse felt so effortless. So so good.
irisdagmar's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning. Absolutely lovely memoir in verse. Each poem was a memory perfectly captured through Woodson’s child eyes. Would be an incredible addition for classroom libraries and book groups. {Book 2 - #pandemicreading}
tristophobia's review against another edition
4.25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️so emotional and great story, absolutely loved this
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Engrossing memoir of Afro-American youth in verse living through momentous times.
Living in the UK, I hadn't heard of this title, but could see it's widely acclaimed over in America and knew it would be something very worthwhile to spend time with.
And it was. A memoir of a childhood, told in verse that does make it feel like a child's voice and perspective, Jacqueline shows us so many sides of America in the era of civil rights and Jim Crow, moving from Ohio to South Carolina dn finally to New York, she and her siblings experienced many different faces of a changing society.
Ending before she even reaches adolescence, readers watch her single mother raise four children by accepting the help of grandparents, we see the family still preferring to move to the back of a bus in certain areas of the country, we see siblings succeeding in school and a future writer finding a love of words and a direction even at a young age.
It was poignant and illuminating. And definitely a read for those even outside of America.
For ages 9-14.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Living in the UK, I hadn't heard of this title, but could see it's widely acclaimed over in America and knew it would be something very worthwhile to spend time with.
And it was. A memoir of a childhood, told in verse that does make it feel like a child's voice and perspective, Jacqueline shows us so many sides of America in the era of civil rights and Jim Crow, moving from Ohio to South Carolina dn finally to New York, she and her siblings experienced many different faces of a changing society.
Ending before she even reaches adolescence, readers watch her single mother raise four children by accepting the help of grandparents, we see the family still preferring to move to the back of a bus in certain areas of the country, we see siblings succeeding in school and a future writer finding a love of words and a direction even at a young age.
It was poignant and illuminating. And definitely a read for those even outside of America.
For ages 9-14.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
This is certainly a story that has weight to it, but I hesitate to heap praise on it because I can't help but wonder if children will actually enjoy reading it. As an adult, I can appreciate how Woodson overcame different struggles on her way to becoming the woman she is today, but I wonder how many kids will find these struggles gripping when compared to the grand adventures found in many other books. That's not to say there isn't a place for a book like this on a library shelf, but I envision many teachers assigning this in class and many students hating it.
goodem9199's review against another edition
5.0
Can I a-million-star this? Jacqueline Woodson's talentis beyond breathtaking. Beyond comparison. Beyond description. I want to give this book to every person I know. She is just so damn good. Newbery necessary for this one.