Locomotion

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Boy's writings are lyrical, yet seamless and real.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this journal in poetry by an 11-year-old boy may inspire children to try their own journal, and teachers may be inspired by the assignments Lonnie is given.


What's the story?

In a series of free-verse and other forms of poems, Lonnie, having lost his parents four years ago in a fire when he was seven years old, tells about his life. He is separated from his sister and living in a foster home with an elderly woman, Miss Edna. He loves his sister, but sees her infrequently, as her new parents don't like boys. But Ms. Marcus, his teacher, tells him he has a gift, and encourages him to express his thoughts and feelings in writing.


Is it any good?

 

Writing novels in free verse has become quite a trend since Out of the Dust won the Newbery Award. It's a form that can be awkward and even silly if not handled well, and too often the form and subject don't match, making the reader wonder why the author chose to write the story this way. But rarely, if ever, have form and subject matched as perfectly as they do here.

The reason for the poetry is part of the story -- it starts as assignments from a fifth-grade teacher, and then takes on a life of its own as Lonnie discovers his talent -- and his voice. He has suffered great loss, but his life is improving, and his chronicle of past and present is powerfully poignant as he tries out a number of poetic forms, and comments on the art of writing as well as his life and thoughts. Woodson creates a voice that is lyrical, yet seamless and real, and packs a surprising amount of intellectual and emotional material into this short, simple book.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about journals. Do you keep a journal? Why do you think writing down one's thoughts helps people so much?


This review was written by Matt Berman
Kid, 12 years old
June 7, 2009
 
great!
its a great book and must-read

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Cleverly written
I thought Locomotion was a great book. I really enjoyed reading the different types of poetry. The Story line was great and I wanted to keep reading until I finished it, This would make for a great read together.

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Kid, 11 years old
April 24, 2010
 
I LOVE DIS BOOK

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Teen, 15 years old
April 20, 2010
 
teens and kids
i love it cuz it helps understand stuff more

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Parent of 20 year old
January 29, 2010
 
i think it is kind of good but the cover is lame becase is black

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
I didnt care too much for it.
The Story Line was very Well thought. But the form of the book made it boring..

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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Teen, 15 years old
April 18, 2011
 
love this book very understanding, is about things young teens go through every day.

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This review was written by Matt Berman
Author:Jacqueline Woodson
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:Penguin Group
Publication date:February 1, 2004
Number of pages:100
Hardcover price:$15.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):9 - 12

This review was written by Matt Berman
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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