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What Members Thought
To be honest, I didn't like this book much at first. But then I started seeing the message behind the words, and realized that there was so much to this story. Christopher Paul Curtis, in sharing a story of a black family's struggles during the depression writes without the usual woe and sorrow found in so many such stories. The Malones never looked upon their situation as hopeless, even when there were great struggles, and never believe that their suffering was any worse than others, and this m
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YA Read....Great writing, as always, in Christopher Paul Curtis' latest book. Set during the Great Depression, the Malone's are doing their best to get by. The story is told through the 12 year old, spunky, smart, tough as nails daughter Deza. The story is about Deza, who dreams of becoming a writer, her older (yet smaller) brother Jimmie, her alliteration loving father,and her sweet, hard working mother. The family is struggling during hard times and after a terrible boating accident, father is
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I wanted to love this, after loving The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 and Bud Not Buddy. But I was never fully drawn in to the characters and the story felt meandering despite its dramatic content. There was no push forward. It felt like a first draft (a smart and charming first draft, of course) that needed a strong editor to make it into a compelling novel.
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I have to admit that I was very nervous while reading this book. "Elijah of Buxton" did that to me. Like Elijah, this one started out with plenty of humor and family warmth. And, like Elijah, he pulled the rug out from under us. But, things never got as dark in Miss Malone. Furthermore, we had the ebullient and ever so delightful Deza telling the story, so things always seemed fine, no matter how bleak. Deza is an inspirational heroine, strong, smart, ambitious and loyal. Nothing to be scared of
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What a rich book, enjoyed this story. Felt quite livid with inequity and treatment of children. Especially reading this one quote throughout the book: "You're a real credit to your race."
One of my favorite lines: "You can tell you're reading a really good book when you forget all about everything else and know you'll die if you don't get to at least the end of the chapter." ...more
One of my favorite lines: "You can tell you're reading a really good book when you forget all about everything else and know you'll die if you don't get to at least the end of the chapter." ...more
Fabulous.
Main character: Deza
Depression Era. Shanty towns.
Beautifully written. Insights to the overwhelming struggles of being black and homeless.
Love the author's comments about what he wants this book to do. Would be great to read this part to 5-6 graders.
Most of us will never really understand what it was/is to be black. Heart wrenching. ...more
Excellent story. The part of the story talking about the Joe Louis-Max Schmeling fight reminded me of Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney. A great story about African Americans during the great depression that focuses on the importance of family and inner strength.
I love this book. I was a little skeptical when I saw that Deza had her own book. I mean, how can an author work the magic of Bud, not Buddy twice? But Curtis has done it, and Miss Malone might be even better than Bud. It has got to be a front runner for the Coretta Scott King Award, and it wouldn't surprise me at all, if it won the Newbery. It's that good.
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Mock Newbery
Jan 05, 2012
Donna
marked it as to-read
Jan 29, 2012
Lara Ivey
marked it as to-read
Feb 14, 2012
Melissa
marked it as to-read
Feb 27, 2012
Marianne
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2012
Liz
marked it as to-read
Aug 14, 2012
Lori
marked it as to-read
Oct 04, 2012
Claire
added it
