After two of my 10th grade students read this 525 page book in a weekend, I decided I needed to move it up on my TBR list. Took me a week but not becaAfter two of my 10th grade students read this 525 page book in a weekend, I decided I needed to move it up on my TBR list. Took me a week but not because the pace ever slowed! Loved the three POV and the cultural tie-ins. The author also wrote this novel as an allegory for police brutality in America against unarmed black men. I admire Tomi Adeyemi's resolve to tackle such a complex, controversial issue in a unique way. Definitely recommend this one to everyone! To quote author John Green: “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”...more
Loved this novel so much. It's honest and beautiful. Wish I had the funds to buy a class set for my tenth graders! Lots of important issues highlighteLoved this novel so much. It's honest and beautiful. Wish I had the funds to buy a class set for my tenth graders! Lots of important issues highlighted and just a damn good entertaining book. Definitely a must-read. 10 stars!! ...more
No doubt this was beautifully written and an important story for middle class Americans to read to better understand the plight of underpaid farm workNo doubt this was beautifully written and an important story for middle class Americans to read to better understand the plight of underpaid farm workers. However, the book ended rather abruptly, so I was disappointed. Also a warning: with a lack of quotation marks (dashes instead), time jumps, and Spanish phrases, this book can be confusing. Of course, the author did this for a purpose. I can only guess she wanted us to feel confused just like the immigrants are often confused. Perhaps the lack of quotation marks are a symbol for the invisibility of migrant workers, women, and youth . . . people who are often voiceless and ignored. ...more
Highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn the real story of what goes on inside North Korea. Plan to use this one for Classroom Book Clubs as welHighly recommend for anyone who wants to learn the real story of what goes on inside North Korea. Plan to use this one for Classroom Book Clubs as well. As Nelson Mandela says, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”...more
This epistolary novel isn't as depressing as it sounds. It's like the female counterpart to Perks of Being a Wallflower. This epistolary novel isn't as depressing as it sounds. It's like the female counterpart to Perks of Being a Wallflower. ...more
I love The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, and this book is in a similar vein for teens. I love The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, and this book is in a similar vein for teens. ...more
WOW! Wasn't expecting to love this book so much, but I think I'll use as a whole class read for my 10th grade English honors class. Semi AutobiographiWOW! Wasn't expecting to love this book so much, but I think I'll use as a whole class read for my 10th grade English honors class. Semi Autobiographical, this book is all about the need & ability to fight for your own education. And the cartoons make it extra funny too :-)...more
Definitely using this book for my Classroom Book Clubs! What a great tool to teach how perceptions affect us, and highly entertaining to boot! Couldn'Definitely using this book for my Classroom Book Clubs! What a great tool to teach how perceptions affect us, and highly entertaining to boot! Couldn't help laugh out loud while reading at the gym!...more
If there was ever a book with the theme "So it goes," it's this one. Writing is superb, but if you're gonna rip my heart out, at least throw some alieIf there was ever a book with the theme "So it goes," it's this one. Writing is superb, but if you're gonna rip my heart out, at least throw some aliens in there for my entertainment like Vonnegut ;-) Recommend if you love lovely descriptions and 'real' stories that will make you cry. ...more
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