POETRY AND JACQUELINE WOODSONI never thought that I would have liked a book of poetry; but, I loved this book. Like, LOVED it. It was a quick read and it was written from the perspective of an African-American, 11-year-old boy, Lonnie Collins Motion (Lo-co-motion). At seven-years-old, his parents died in a fire, leaving behind Lonnie and his younger sister. Woodson uses this book as Lonnie's poetry book that he writes in for Ms. Marcus's class. Through his poetry, we get an insight into his life and feelings and emotions and worries. He lives with a foster parent, Miss Edna. Though she is originally strict, she learns to love Lonnie and even consider him a son--and Lonnie soon feels just as close of a bond with her as she does with him. He even writes about Miss Edna's son, Rodney, who is much older than Lonnie but significantly, and positively, influences Lonnie's life. We gain an understanding of what it is like for siblings to be separated after becoming orphans; Lonnie's little sister Lili was adopted by a family who the reader can assume is religious and middle-to-upper-class. With Lonnie, we discover God. He reads the Bible because Lili tells him to, and he soon sees God in many aspects of his life. Despite the struggles and sadness that inevitably accompanies a book about an orphaned child, the book is hopeful. As the reader, we sometimes understand some of the more complex issues than Lonnie does, but he also provides some incredible insights into life as well. It's a quick read, but a great one.
I found Jacqueline Woodson's book to be a combination of inspiring poetry but a rather flat storyline. I think the concept of presenting a novel in free verse is fascinating. A book of poetry that tells a great story would be an excellent way to introduce students to poetry. However, that is the key. It must tell a great story! I think the story of Locomotion is a tragic, touching one. However, there is a lack of connection to the characters simply because there is not a lot of movement within the plot line. This aside, I thought the poetry was beautiful. I listed to this in an audio format. I really appreciate the way it was read. It made the poetry come to life. I am also a little concerned by this. The artist who read naturally can change the meaning of the words through tone and emphasis. Yet, I believe that listening to this book, was the way to go. The words bounced more and felt like the poetry young locomotion loves so much. I think this book would be appropriate for 5th or 6th graders. It includes some stark realities of Loco and his sister and their lives after losing their parents in a fire. They are separated into foster homes and struggle in keeping in touch. I truly appreciate the fact that this book address foster care and kids who are struggling with the loss of a parent. Both of these situations happen so often in our schools and we do not do enough to try and address them with all of our students.
What do You think about Locomotion (2004)?
Locomotion is a poetic novel that I listened to in the form of an audiobook. It is recommended for students in grades 4-6. It is narrated by an 11 year old boy named Lonnie Collins Motion, who is nicknamed Locomotion. When he was seven years old, his life changed forever with his parent’s death. He is now eleven, and his life is about to change again. His teacher, Ms. Marcus, is showing him ways to put his jumbled feelings on paper through poetry. This allows him to tell the world about his life, his friends, his little sister Lili, and even his foster mom, Miss Edna, is a whole new way. Overall, this poetic novel is humorous, heartbreaking, and inspiring. In this book, a sad, yet hopeful story is told with the use of 60 different poems. It is interesting and unique that this book is set up in a poetic format as it describes how Lonnie explores poetry's various forms. It is a quick listen and very entertaining as an audiobook. Gradually Lonnie reveals through poems that at age seven, his parents died in a fire, leaving him and his younger sister, Lili, orphaned. The gradual unfolding of his life's events intermingle with his discoveries about poetic form, from haiku to sonnets. The language used throughout this book written in poetic form shows an appreciation for poetry while also using it as a way of expressing the young narrators own grief about his life.
—L-Crystal Wlodek
I think it would be a good book for people who are having trouble with there family. I mean like how locomotion has a hard time of how his parents died and now he only has his little sister. When he grows up ....I think he would be a good writer ...because of how he always writes about his feelings and how he is really creative, but also happy because his little sister always shows him the write way to God, and how he reads the bible. Then when he grows up...he will be happy again and find his way of being with his sister.
—Makenzie Ramirez
This is a cool little book, told in first-person poems, about Lonnie C. Motion (Locomotion). Lonnie's life has been marked by tragedy: his parents both died in a fire, and he and his younger sister have been split up by the foster care system (although they able to see each other for short visits). Now, at eleven, he stuggles to find his voice and his place in the world with the help of his teacher, Mrs. Marcus.The free verse novel has been kind of a popular form lately, and many authors have tackled it with varying success. Locomotion is an example of what an excellent author can do with such a limited canvas.
—Kirsten
