Book Title: Peace, Locomotion
Author(s): Jacqueline Woodson
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Copyright Date: 2009
Genre: Novel - Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Brief Annotation:
After losing both of his parents and being placed in a foster home, Lonnie Conrad Motion (Locomotion) dedicates his love and creativity to his sister, Lili, who was placed in different foster home. Through the series of letters Lonnie writes to his sister, we learn about finding peace, wisdom, and love during a time of war and loss in this sequel to Woodson’s National Book Award Finalist, Locomotion.
Your Rating (1-5) and why:
5 – I love how Lonnie is an aspiring poet even though he’s only twelve and everything around him is seemingly chaotic and “unpoetic.” Through his writing, he learns how to cope and to see the truth and the good around him. I feel like Woodson’s novel lends itself to great classroom discussions about learning how to find our inner peace.
Readers who will like this book:
This would be a great read-aloud or book study for a group of upper elementary students. There are major themes that would be great to research or study further, such as: loss, fear, war, friendship, poetry, writing, and life in Harlem.
Yopp & Yopp Activity
Create a fold up book/journal p. 138
Have the children write letters to a loved one or dear friend about how they find their peace.
Or Write:
- A story about a time in their life when they felt that everything was right.
- Poems
- Write in Lonnie’s voice and create another letter to Lili.
Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:
Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you parents weren’t around? Who do you think you’d live with?
If you would write a letter containing your deepest thoughts and dreams, whom would you send it to?
Would you send it?
1. Interest Level (age): 8-12 year olds
2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.6
3. Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vPke-6xnR4
I'm glad you're discovering Jacqueline Woodson--or maybe re-re-discovering her. Your reaction to the story is lovely, particularly the themes you pull out of the story. I think this would make an excellent textset around any of the big ideas you've noted--would it fit with your harmony theme? Maybe you're already headed in that direction.
ReplyDeleteAnd the idea to have students keep their own journals in which they write to friends or loved ones is a perfect complement to this book. The letters Lonnie writes to Lili are a perfect genre for being more open about feelings, and the idea that your students might get a letter back from the person they wrote to makes the project even more full of possibility.