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September Read - The War that Saved My Life
By Kristen · 52 posts · 232 views
By Kristen · 52 posts · 232 views
last updated Nov 08, 2016 01:53AM
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What Members Thought
Sharon Draper did it again; she hooked me right from the beginning of Stella by Starlight just like she did in her other books. In just the first few pages, readers see that darkness can hide secrets. Darkness hides Stella's writing, Tony's running, and the KKK meeting. Or so they all think. It quickly becomes clear that the truth cannot hide under the veil of the night. As The KKK activities put the community on edge, Stella, with the heart of a writer, craves putting her thoughts on paper whil
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"Bad writers don't practice, Stella. It's the good ones who care enough to try, who worry about getting the words just right. You are probably better than you think." p.127-8
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Stella lives in North Carolina during the Depression. She witnesses the Klu Klux Klan in action and her father attempting to register to vote. This book is on a Mock Newbery list. I don't think it will get the medal. Draper tries to do too much in this book: spousal abuse, child abuse, racial violence, discrimination, unequal education, African American folklore, and gospel music. There were also some inconsistencies. Stella and her brother had to go to school barefooted because her parents coul
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There were a lot of great things about this book - the depiction of family and culture, a part of black history that isn't covered in chapter books as often as others, with a presentation appropriate to the age group, a great depiction of learning to write and struggling with something you want to do that doesn't come easily. But overall, the writing didn't feel particularly distinguished - the characters weren't particularly vivid and the plot had some issues (the pond scene felt tacked on and
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3.5 stars
Budding writer who doesn't believe in her talent, KKK, father votes for the first time, mom gets bitten by a deadly snake, racists abound. A book adults wish kids would like.
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Mar 11, 2015
Hannah
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Maria
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Lola
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Aug 20, 2017
Beth Given
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Aug 20, 2017
Parry Rigney
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