Reads Revisited: Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson

Speak
Published June 8th, 2000
144 Pages

Nothing is like it used to be. If it were, Mama would still be alive. Papa wouldn’t have died. Thirteen-year-old Lafayette’s older brother, Charlie wouldn’t have done time at a correctional facility. And oldest brother Ty’ree would have gone to college instead of having to work full time to support the three of them.

If things were the same, Lafayette wouldn’t be so full of questions, like why Mama had to die, why Charlie hates him so much now, and how they’re all supposed to survive these times together when so much seems to be set against them.- Goodreads

Once upon a time Nickelodon use to have better content on their channel. It was here that I was first introduced to Miracle’s Boys. It was a six part mini series that featured Pooch Hall, Sean Nelson and Julito McCullum.

I would like to mention that I had a crush on Sean Nelson as well as Pooch Hall. I admire their acting and plus they are really good to look at.

Check out the trailer below.

After finishing the series, which was fantastic acting from beginning to end. I found that it was a book and a book by Jacqueline Woodson none the less. I read it instantly and it became a classic for me.

As an adult re-reading this book, you realize how much sadder it actually is. Paying attention to things not said, you’ll see three boys (I loosely use this term) who are grieving the lost of their mother but are not speaking about it, feeling the absence of a father, although he has been dead for sometime now, struggling to do what is right, when it is very obvious they do not want to but most importantly struggling to make their mother proud.

The book is a quick read but had an impact. In this day and age, there are a lot of books about losing parents and struggling to be “normal” mostly from a girl’s point of view, which is why this book stands out because it is about three growing boys trying to make it and not disappoint their mother.

The world building makes you feel like you are there. The imagery is so imprinted in your brain that as I write this I can see Lafayette watching the room, see Charlie’s anger and hear Ty’ree’s frustrations as well as disappointment. Its deep and the story is still relevant today and that is why I still like it.

My only concern with this book and the series as well as it just sort of ends. There is a unspoken truce or for the lack of better term communication between the brothers that gives you the impression that everything is going to be alright but then when you think about it things can wrong too. I wanted more of a confirmation and although the ending wasn’t bad, it didn’t hit that spot.

Overall,

4 Pickles then and now

 

What Tanya Wants: June 2018

Book Review: The Warden’s Daughter by Jerry Spinelli

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published Jan. 3 2017
352 Pages

Cammie O’Reilly is the warden’s daughter that lives in an apartment above the entrance to the Hancock County Prison. Although her father is active in her life, she is missing her mother. A mother, who saved her only daughter from harm. 

Known as Cannonball, Cammie is about to turn 13 years old and is looking for a mother figure within a shoplifter and a reformed arsonist of a housekeeper. Going through the motions while her best friend begins playing with makeup, Cammie has no idea everything she has ever known or thought of is about to change in the most dramatic way. 

Short Review*

I had issues with this book. The first being Cammie. This is a difficult time in her life and she is learning to find herself, HOWEVER, she is a spoiled brat that is completely selfish and treated one of her mother figures like crap just because she didn’t get her way.  Let me give you an example, you have a housekeeper that you like but you do not like when you are told to do something by them because they are a housekeeper. So you proceed to call her out on it and remind her who she works for. That is Cammie. I get she is a child but she is a child that thinks everything out before she does it. Things like this happen all the time in the book and I was frustrated with it.

The book overall was lackluster. I understand that it is a coming of age book, but almost nothing happens a majority of the time. The tone rarely changes; so everything starts to sound the same. I didn’t appreciate how the main characters was viewed. The book is set for 1959 until the end; so there are things that are to be expected but there were some things that cannot be overlooked such as the view of a black woman.

Beyond that, I felt that Cammie a an adult had no real remorse for what happen, for the life she affected and for the things that was done. I felt a sense of entitlement even after everything was said and done.

I did not enjoy the pace of the novel and I think because of the issues within the book, I lost the purpose of the story.

Overall,

2 Pickles

NetGalley Review: The Haters by Jesse Andrews

Amulet Books
To Be Published April 2016

Wes and his best friend Corey thought jazz camp would be the ultimate experience. But no. . , it turned out to be a lame waste of time and a sausage fest.

But that is until they hear a unusual sound coming from a girl named Ash. The duo instantly becomes a trio and for a while jazz camp is what Wes and Corey hoped it would be.

But Ash decides that jazz camp isn’t enough and decides they need to hit the road. Wes and Corey do not think twice before jumping into her SUV and embarking on “The Haters Summer of Hate Tour.”

I requested this because it was Jesse Andrews. I mean I haven’t read “Earl, Me and the Dying Girl” mainly because I don’t know if I should read the book and then see the movie or watch the movie and then read the book. But none the less, I picked up this book and for so much hype over the author, this was a disappointing and rather annoying read.

Andrews writing comes off like the Uncle that is trying to stay current; the Uncle that is trying to stay cool. It was too obvious in this book and he was trying way too hard. Granted this book is about Andrews own experiences in jazz camp, so it may have had happened exactly like this. But the way that the book is written it was reaching. I say this as an adult that reads a lot of YA books.

Oddly enough though I liked Corey. I believe I liked him much more than Wes because of his blunt no-nonsense attitude. Corey just didn’t care to waste time; if he wasn’t okay with something or someone than it would be known. I guess I respected him more for that. But I kind of got the feeling that Corey was written not exactly to balance out Wes’s personality but to also show a lack of class.

As much as I liked Corey he got annoying very fast just as much as Wes did. Ash wasn’t the best character either. I didn’t feel as if any of the character were actually themselves at any point. It felt like they were all posers and yes, I am aware this is a coming of age novel but I am really just pointing this out as I have this feeling throughout the entire book.

I did enjoy the flow of the novel, despite the huge issues I had. Ultimately I expected something so much greater from the author that almost everyone has been talking about.

1 Pickle

Graphic Novel Review: This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki (Illustrator)

First Second
Published May 6, 2014
320 Pages

Every summer Rose and her parents go to Awago beach, their escape from the world. There Rose’s friend Windy wakes, whom like herself visits during the summer. Their relationship is like family and they cannot wait for the summer.

But Rose’s parents won’t stop fighting and the distance between Rose and her mother is growing. So Rose and Windy are left to themselves and by doing so these girls grow up a bite faster than necessary. 

I was not expecting such an intense read. This is a really powerful book about family and growth.

Firstly, I have to point out Windy. She is a plus size girl that dances eats and isn’t self conscious about her weight. I love it because she just enjoys herself and its interesting because when there was doubt regarding herself it was when Rose made a point to show that Windy either doesn’t take things seriously or isn’t honest enough in regards to other people’s issues.  I loved Windy.

Rose is having issues with her family and its really because she is left out of the know and the tension between herself and her mom is rough. Its hard to really see the relationship she had before this summer with her mom because she talks about her dad and how close they are. Its not to say she doesn’t love her mother but the relationship was tough to see. Her mother is going through a rough time individually which is causing issues for her husband as well as Rose.

Now the book is a coming of age because the girls talk about sex and boys. Rose finds herself infatuated with an older boy, who is a clerk at a store. Because of this infatuation Rose and Windy are exposed to adult themes and although neither act on these themes it makes them think about when they go home.

The art work was extremely detailed. It was beautiful and you cannot help but appreciate the effort the illustrator put into it. Its amazing and even after I finished reading a section, I would go back to the art that is how important it became.

Overall, a recommended read that leaves you wanting for more

3.5 Pickles

Book Review: Bird by Crystal Chan

Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published Jan. 28, 2014
304 Pages

So remember a far back, I interviewed Crystal Chan? If not read the interview first here. I finally was able to read her book and here is the review.

Jewel is born the day her brother Bird dies. She is constantly surrounded by the remembrance of his life and his death.

Unable to live as freely and lovingly, Jewel sneaks out her home at night to release frustrations. One night she meets a new boy (in the small town) named John and everything she wanted to come out does. 

This book moved me. Firstly I loved the fact that it was realistic without being too emotional. This was book wasn’t dripping with sadness. Yes, it was sad in a sense that a little girl feels unloved and a lack of support from her mother but the sadness didn’t make her who she was. It was part of her but Jewel was smart, responsible and observant of other feelings.

I liked how the story didn’t add a lot of nonsense to it.  There was a moment regarding Jewel’s new friend that I felt didn’t need to be there, in regards to his name, but that didn’t kill his character or the story-line.

This was a slow read but I didn’t mind too much because I liked Jewel so much and I needed to know how her family came together.

What I didn’t like about the book was the cliche of the lonely girl. I would have liked her to have someone that she can be completely truthful too. Although she was to a certain extent with the boy, I feel that her growth wasn’t as high as it should have been at the end of the book.

I also felt that the issue of being bi-racial wasn’t as big as I though it would be in this book. Yes, there are difficulties but it seemed more within family than with people who are outsiders.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad read and I would recommend it for those who are into realistic coming of age novels.

4 Pickles.

Kindle Review: Clarity (Clarity #1) by Loretta Lost

Self Published
Published Feb. 20, 2014
162 Pages

Helen Winters was born completely blind. After a horrifying event leaving her broken and scared she moves to the middle of nowhere living alone with no fear of someone hurting her.

When a doctor comes to her door asking Helen to participate in a study that can possibility cure her blindness, Helen must come out of her shell and trust this man. But things become complicated when her past comes back to haunt her in the worst way possible causing her to question everything she has been through including herself. 

This. Book. Was. AMAZING! Very quick read which made me very sad.

What I really loved was the fact that Helen wasn’t a bitch no stuck-up. She was willing to be open minded after some push but she wasn’t as reluctant as most shut-ins are in books. Helen was paranoid do not mistake that, however she wasn’t willing to not let things go by either.

I did find it weird that she was so open but that is leading up to something in the second book (I’m hoping). Another thing I loved about the book is how it caters to Helen. She sees with her hearing and her smell; so the author does a beautiful job describing the characters Helen deals with through her hearing and smell. Looks are not stressed at all which fit so well and took the attention off of sex and lust.

This actually feels like a true love story without the non believable drama and the ridiculous amount of lust.

Overall this book gets 5 Pickles.