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A review by elmeeks
Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis
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.