Kristen LeBlanc's Reviews > Locomotion

Jacqueline Woodson has really outdone herself with her book, "Locomotion." Woodson's "Locomotion" was a National Book Award finalist and the book's structure is a little different from others I have read, but it works. Each page has a different haiku, poem, sonnet, or letter carefully crafted by Woodson in a way that, main character Lonnie's account of his day to day life can be seen without an illustration besides the front cover. When an author has the ability to hook a reader without pictures to guide the words on each page, the true of the meaning can pictured even more clearly in the mind of the reader.

The clearest message that should be received from Woodson's "Locomotion" is that, no matter the circumstances that have shaped your life, how you grow from them is most important. Lonnie may have thought about his parents' sudden death in a fire several times throughout the book, but he knew he could not change what had happened. He has to be strong for himself and his little sister Lili now. Lili is the perfect depiction of hope even if her and Lonnie live in separate foster homes. They both make the best of it and make sure neither forgets that they still have one another. As best said by Lonnie, "Locomotion, stop thinking about moving on 'cause this is home," as he realizes he is lucky because not everyone has a place to call home.

There are several others themes throughout "Locomotion" like the clear realistic acknowledgement that racism still exists, judgement is still passed by others, and that loss is experienced by everyone. Life will continue to move forward, if you are prepared for it or not. The positive energy Woodson does well to convey in "Locomotion" is felt and keeps the reader engaged.

This is definitely a book that I would suggest educators to read aloud to their students but not one that beginning readers should try to read on their own. There are definite pausing points within Woodson's book that need proper discussion and other times where a teacher should pause to simply let a young reader's mind absorb what all is being mentioned in "Locomotion." Jacqueline Woodson carefully crafted, creatively wrote, and expertly designed a book that will outlive any critics' opinions of her or her selection of subject matter as to which she writes. I will highly recommend "Locomotion" to anyone who asks, "Read any good books lately?" simply because, I do not enjoy reading and this kept me hooked. That says more than words can describe.