Lena can recite the Scriptures by heart. Hoping to make her adored Papa proud of her and to make her white classmates notice her "Magic Mind,&...
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reviews
Dec 16, 2011
Lola
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Okay, so here's a theory I've been working on: schools are secretly conspiring to turn all children against reading forever. And why do I think this, you may ask. Well, I'm going to tell you. Because teachers wouldn't assign such mind numbingly boring books without knowing the consequences. For example, a close friend of mine was recently assigned The Odyssey for Honors English. This friend usually enjoys myths from all cultures, but this was just too much for her in such a short time span. I
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May 10, 2010
K.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 15, 2011
Sonila
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“Words by heart” is a story about an African American girl named Lena who moved with her family to the south to start a new life because they wanted to avoid being discriminated. She entered a bible quoting contest because she wanted her family to be proud of her. But she doesn’t get what she expected. Instead, Lena loses the one she loves the most so she wants to rake revenge, but she already made a promise that she wasn’t going to break. I really liked this book because it teaches people tha
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Nov 19, 2011
Dayna
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A touching story of a black family trying to make a new life amongst a white population in the early 1900's. Lena thinks that by winning the Scripture recitation contest she will finally have others notice her for her abilities rather than the color of her skin. After winning the Bible-quoting contest she finds it doesn't bring her the attention she expects or wants. After violence breaks out, Lena, who believes in vengeance, must learn to forgive. This book does use the "n" word as it
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Aug 27, 2011
Abby
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Lena wants to be accepted and exceptional in a culture that resists giving her a place in their society. She strives for recognition, and she fights for what is right. The book gives us some simply beautiful scenes and themes. I loved when Lena and Winslow recited from John 14, alternating the verses, like a song--a beautiful moment. And then the theme of loving your enemies, told in such a poignant way. It's a beautiful story.
Dec 28, 2010
Michelle
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Rec. by Ann Voskamp. Vowing to gain her father's approval and her white classmates' respect by winning a Bible-quoting contest, Lena, an African-American girl, is horrified when her success brings violence and death to her home. Christian content is strong but not overwhelming or overly simplistic.
Apr 23, 2010
This book was really really good. It had a very positive message which I thought was know who you are. Be yourself. Also I think it had a valuable message about death. Everyone dies at some point in time. If someone you know and love dies, you have to move on in life no matter how much it hurts.
Nov 13, 2009
Meadow
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When a little African-American is constantly shunned by her white classmates, she is determined to win the Bible verse contest to gain their respect.
This was a real eye opener to what it was like for African-American's back then. It does have a sad ending though. :(
This was a real eye opener to what it was like for African-American's back then. It does have a sad ending though. :(
May 20, 2011
Edy
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I love this book. I love the ideas that are presented in it. This was one of the selections that I taught to my middle school kiddos when I was a classroom teacher. I read it several times, and each time I found it both enjoyable and thought provoking.
Nov 24, 2011
Shantel
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My 4th grader is reading this as a companion novel to The Secret Garden. Both books are about change,both internally and in the world. I read this so I could help my Son in class discussion and I really loved it. Be sure to grab a box of tissues.
Dec 05, 2008
Laurel
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I think this is the worse book I've read about how the African Americans were treated. It had a depressing ending and I mostly felt sorry that I'd read it, not for the characters.
Aug 09, 2009
Sheila
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Forgiveness is often hard. Lena's father tells her to do more than just memorize scriptures. She need to live those words as well. Beautifully written.
Feb 04, 2011
Mary
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This a YA novel or children's book, but the content is very dark and the language is quite mature. A very good book but quite sad in the end.
Jun 14, 2011
Jenn
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VERY good read aloud - not an easy read with the kids, but very well written - we thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Apr 11, 2010
Denae
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Black persecution. A simpler "To Kill a Mockingbird". Christian characters. Neat little girl.
Dec 04, 2007
Tuong
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It is impressive and moving about the waves of life. Lena was a poor little girl, who lived with hope and the pride of her father. Their family was moved from the South for avoiding the discrimination and starting the new life, but the hardship did not let them go. They must struggle with it and contempt from the folks. They are too small and, the burden of this world was too big. Lena's father was injured dead from facing with a white folk. Leba wanted to revenge, but having her father's wish s
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Sep 18, 2008
Hina
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I read this book in 6th grade and I remember it like yesterday. This book took my young six-grader-emotions for a ride. I was furious one moment and crying the next. It's a simple read which is why I enjoyed it so much as a 6th grader. Could I have been as Lina was? I don't know. I learned then that books can really take you places. I can honestly say that from the moment I read the last page of 'Words By Heart', reading became fun.
Oct 17, 2008
Ebby
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I'm currently previewing a donated box of discarded summer reading books before I let my 9-15 yr. old girls loose on them. This one I read all the way through, with a handy box of tissues.
Jul 20, 2008
Annotation: Lena tries to excel by memorizing all of the Scriptures for a contest but after she wins she learns about racism in the new town they live in where they are the only black family.
Jan 15, 2011
Ashley
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More to come, but this book made me cry. Lena has some incredible strength. More than I think I could find in her shoes.
Mar 04, 2008
Michele
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Heartwrenching, but beautifully poetic - the hope we all have for this crazy world of ours
Jan 31, 2012
Jan 22, 2012
