WAW Reviews: Josephine and The Boundless
Happy WAW Review Wednesday!
This week just happens to have two picks that both have some controversial content connected with them. I hope you read on so you are prepared for what students might find!
Today I am back to share Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell and The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel. Below you will find a summary of each book as well as my personal thoughts based on what students might say. Hopefully this helps you know what to expect when your readers get ahold of these books if you don't have time to read all of them yourself.
Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell
Summary: Through verse and a unique illustrative style, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson tell the story of Josephine Baker, a lifelong performer and civil rights advocate. She works her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. The struggle and triumph of this legend is told in great detail and style.
Thoughts: I completely understand why this book received many awards, including being a nominee this year. It tells the story of triumph of an African American performer during the times of segregation. There is so much information about her entire life, but my favorite tidbit was that she adopted 12 children from all over the world, called the The Rainbow Tribe, and helped them to practice their home religions and cultures. The concern I have with this book is that the style of writing and some vocabulary is not that of what a third through fifth grade reader would understand at times. It may have been a better fit on the older list. I hope that my students receive this book well regardless because it is a great biography.
(Side note: Provide your students with actual pictures of Josephine ahead of time. I was curious to know what she looked like in real life. When I went to Google images there were many pictures that popped up with her posing topless. Avoid the surprise and the red flag from your tech department!)
The Boundless
Summary: This is an adventure that takes place over a four days and is told in the time following the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Boundless, the greatest train ever built, is on its maiden voyage across the country. Young Will Everett ends up in possession of the key to a train car containing priceless treasures and quickly becomes the target of sinister figures from his past. In order to survive, Will joins the traveling circus with the help of Mr. Dorian, the ringmaster and leader of the troupe, and Maren, a girl his age who is an expert escape artist.
Thoughts: Ohhhh, this book. I struggled so hard while listening to this one. The voice of the characters were amazing and I would definitely suggest enjoying this book through the audio version if possible. I felt the storyline itself was repetitive, but I know some of my students will appreciate that in a life defying adventure. My biggest put-off with this book was a couple places that used the term "fecking." When I heard, "They've got a fecking sasquatch!" my jaw dropped, I rewinded it at least five times to make sure, and then had to go run and find the book in print so I could be sure. Really? Why is that needed within the context of this story? I will have nightmares about hearing students repeat that line in the hallway, but I will share this book with my students anyways.
I'm working through a couple more on the list this week and can't wait to share more with you a week from now. I hope you are enjoying your summer!
Back to the books,
Audra
