Locomotion

by Jacqueline Woodson

Book Overview

Finalist for the National Book Award

When Lonnie was seven years old, his parents died in a fire. Now he's eleven, and he still misses them terribly. And he misses his little sister, Lili, who was put into a different foster home because "not a lot of people want boys-not foster boys that ain't babies." But Lonnie hasn't given up. His foster mother, Miss Edna, is growing on him. She's already raised two sons and she seems to know what...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142415529
• ISBN13: 9780142415528
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.4" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Locomotion Takes You On the Ride Of Your Life

Locomotion will have you on the ride of your life from start to finish. Woodson's excellent use of detail invites you right into the world of little Lonnie Collins Motion. They way she explores the relationship between a boy and the rest of the world is stupendous. This book is absoluetly wonderful and should serve as a how to guide for aspiring childrens writers everywhere. It's exquisite!!!

Young Expressions

LOCOMOTION by Jacqueline Woodson tops the list of originality with thought provoking words from a little boy named Lonnie. Although LOCOMOTION is categorized as poetry, it is not written as one of the traditional styles of poems that rhyme. LOCOMOTION is a collection of poems that reads as a story with uniqueness and wonderful grandeur. Every word echoes a young child's hurt and rediscovery of self. Lonnie, who lost his parents in a fire, writes in first person in the book. He tells a story through poetic form of suddenly being left alone and separated from his little sister, Lili. Lonnie is encouraged by his teacher to write down all this thoughts as soon as they hit his brain. He writes about living in a foster home, visits with his sister and going to school each day. Lonnie continues his thoughts about the new kid in school, his friends and learning about sickle cell anemia for the first time. He writes of trying to believe in God, as his little sister has done, believing one day they will be together as a family. The most heart wrenching part was his words of about not having his parents with them anymore and learning that he and his sister would be living in separate homes. I have never read such an enjoyable children's book as LOCOMOTION. Jacqueline Woodson has opened new doors of poetic style and humble offerings. Although this book is written for ages six to twelve, a book of this magnitude can be enjoyed by all ages. Several selections brought tears to my eyes and caused my heart and soul to interact with each word. The heartfelt meaning of why Lonnie was expressing himself through words was moving. Jacqueline Woodson has indeed written another award winning children's book. Reviewed by Kalaani of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Redefining Poetry

The best part of Woodson's "Locomotion" is the absence of rhyme. For too many years the American Education system has been propounding the idea that poetry must rhyme. Here Woodson shows us that good poetry does not have to rhyme. Each poem included is emotionally charged, but very accessible. I would suggest this book for readers of all ages.

Lonnie's Words Touch Deeply

"You have a poet's heart, Lonnie./ That's what Ms. Marcus said to me./ I have a poet's heart./ That's good. A good thing to have./ And I'm the one who has it." Lonnie Collins Motion does have a poet's heart, and the readers of this book feel honored to watch his gift emerge as he works to come to terms with what life has given him. Through poetic structures, Lonnie shares his life with us. Lonnie was seven and away at a babysitter's house when a fire claimed the lives of his parents. He and his little sister were taken into foster care and were soon separated from each other. Like other adolescent boys, Lonnie makes decisions every day about friends and girls and school, but his painful past and his intense self-reflection give him greater dimension than the ordinary coming-of-age character. It is Lonnie's love for his sister and his desire to rebuild his relationship with her that forces him to make big decisions about God and his future and, in turn, forces the reader to connect to him and want great things for him. Ms. Edna, Lonnie's foster mother, proves to be a greater inspiration than the reader initially expects, and his English teacher, Ms. Marcus provides him the opportunity to discover what really matters.This book is what some might call a "quick read," but the themes that emerge and memorable and honest. I recommend this book to readers ages 12 through adulthood.