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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I'm finished, I guess. Whateva.
I didn't even realize that the poems followed a pattern until I read the end, so I think that's kind of cool that she made it read like a story. But I also think that's part of the reason I didn't like it, because it didn't flow like I feel verse should. Just sayin'
I didn't even realize that the poems followed a pattern until I read the end, so I think that's kind of cool that she made it read like a story. But I also think that's part of the reason I didn't like it, because it didn't flow like I feel verse should. Just sayin'
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story of different teenagers' experiences with difficult problems from teenage pregnancy to being put into jail to dealing with abusive parents and foster homes. All of this is told in verse.
Very moving... I read it in public and almost cried like four times. A quick and easy read, but full of really impactful characters that you feel for so strongly. Themes of endurance, strength, kindness, holding your head up and moving forward. About the ways that kindness radiates outwards and how even strangers can affect each others' lives in such powerful ways. The world gives back to you the goodness you pour into it.
This story is about seven struggling teenagers, Stephie, Jason, Keesha, Dontay, Carmen, Harris, and Katie, who find refuge at Keesha's House. Keesha's house is really Joe's. Joe knows what it is like to be shut out from the world with no place to go. His aunt welcomed him into her home and so he does the same for troubled teens. All these teens are facing hard problems and being together at Keesha's house helps them to survive.
I am not usually a fan of poem styled books, but I got a lot out of Keesha's house. I think it is because the message is so strong. We really do not know how bad someone is hurting on the inside. All the teens in this book struggled with some tough things that most teens do not deal with. I think book is important because it makes us aware of these problems and teaches us how to reach out to people.
I am not usually a fan of poem styled books, but I got a lot out of Keesha's house. I think it is because the message is so strong. We really do not know how bad someone is hurting on the inside. All the teens in this book struggled with some tough things that most teens do not deal with. I think book is important because it makes us aware of these problems and teaches us how to reach out to people.
Required Reading: Keesha’s House by Helen Frost
Seven very different teenagers find themselves coming together in very different ways. Each one is facing their own mountain to climb. Teen pregnancy, homosexuality, drinking, and other huge life trails seem to find themselves on seven young people. They all just need to place to stay; some physically and some emotionally. Either way each one finds a place at Keesha’s House.
It’s hard for me to say that I love this book. But it’s made me think. I’ve thought more about this book than any other book I’ve read in a long time. There is no “fluff” when it comes to this story. The details are there for everyone to see. The situations that are happening to these kids are very real, which makes it almost harder to hear about. I would highly recommend this book to anyone willing to go outside his or her comfort zone. For the record, that’s usually where we find the most growth. There isn’t any language in the book but it has in some way or another pretty much everything else; drugs, blood, sexual abuse, death and really everything else. It’s not graphic, but it is honest. Be careful when sharing it with students, parents may not like it. But I love the way it expresses real issues that kids are going through without getting too detailed or hard to read. Highly recommend.
Seven very different teenagers find themselves coming together in very different ways. Each one is facing their own mountain to climb. Teen pregnancy, homosexuality, drinking, and other huge life trails seem to find themselves on seven young people. They all just need to place to stay; some physically and some emotionally. Either way each one finds a place at Keesha’s House.
It’s hard for me to say that I love this book. But it’s made me think. I’ve thought more about this book than any other book I’ve read in a long time. There is no “fluff” when it comes to this story. The details are there for everyone to see. The situations that are happening to these kids are very real, which makes it almost harder to hear about. I would highly recommend this book to anyone willing to go outside his or her comfort zone. For the record, that’s usually where we find the most growth. There isn’t any language in the book but it has in some way or another pretty much everything else; drugs, blood, sexual abuse, death and really everything else. It’s not graphic, but it is honest. Be careful when sharing it with students, parents may not like it. But I love the way it expresses real issues that kids are going through without getting too detailed or hard to read. Highly recommend.
Frost is a master with various points of view and writing in poetic verse. Need to make sure some of my High School teaching buddies know about this one.
Helen Frost writes a damn good sestina. I delighted in how well they flowed and how rarely any of the repeated words seemed forced. As for the book overall, the characters were sketched so roughly that they seemed a little stock to me, like if you're going to give me a bullied gay teenager, I need a little more to hang my hat on than that he's bullied and gay and his teachers don't back him up and his dad disapproves.
Though I liked that Keesha's House was an uplifting place, it seemed almost magical. Magical is fine, but I think if that was the deal maybe that theme should have been played with more, like making me question whether the house was a real place. Still, a solid 3 star book and I'm looking forward to reading more of Frost's work.
Though I liked that Keesha's House was an uplifting place, it seemed almost magical. Magical is fine, but I think if that was the deal maybe that theme should have been played with more, like making me question whether the house was a real place. Still, a solid 3 star book and I'm looking forward to reading more of Frost's work.