Jacqueline Woodson

In a series of poems, eleven-year-old Lonnie writes about his life, after the death of his parents, separated from his younger sister, living in a foster home, and finding his poetic voice at school.

Locomotion

Deepika Ramesh

All that Locomotion has is words. Perhaps that is all one needs to cope with grief, loss, and loneliness when there is no other comfort. This didn't make me cry. But moving. Way too moving. 

My 11-year-old nephew recommended this and realised I read it just when it is #BlackHistoryMonth.

Arwa El

An incredibly heartbreaking book that I just couldn‘t stop reading. It is a very easy read, since it is written in poetry form (and no, it does not rhyme!). These poems are written by Locomotion, Lonnie Collins Motion, who lost both of his parents in a fire. While he lives with Miss Edna, his sister lives with a foster mama, who did not want him because she wanted a girl. 
There are so many losses for Locomotion and the reader is moved by his emotions the entire book. I had constant goose bumps imagining something so cruel happening to such a young child and being separated from his only sister.

Through letters to his little sister, who is in a different foster home, Lonnie, also known as "Locomotion," keeps a record of their lives while they are apart, describing his own foster family, including his foster brother who returns home after losing a leg in the Iraq War.

Peace, Locomotion

** spoiler alert **
           After Locomotion I had to read the second part too and I can‘t believe how incredibly sad, yet beautiful it is. While the first book Locomotion was written in poetry form to a general audience, the second one is dedicated to Lonnie‘s sister Lili, who still lives with her foster mother. It is a very beautiful read but be prepared for a lot of heartbreak. 

One of my favorite aspects of both books are the teachers and the importance of being a supportive, motivating teacher. I hated their new teacher who told him that he is not a poet as long as he did not publish a book because she destroyed his spirits. Luckily, he stands against her because he knows so many people telling him the opposite. As a teacher myself, I saw myself in Rodney who said that he hated school and was a bad students because his teachers kept telling him so and now he became a teacher to show students how smart they actually are. This is literally one of the reasons why I became a teacher too! 

Definitely a Must-Read!

Claudiu

The stunning companion to the National Book Award finalist--from a three-time Newbery Honor winning author Twelve-year-old Lonnie is finally feeling at home with his foster family. But because he’s living apart from his little sister, Lili, he decides it’s his job to be the “rememberer”—and write down everything that happens while they’re growing up. Lonnie’s musings are bittersweet; he’s happy that he and Lili have new families, but though his new family brings him joy, it also brings new worries. With a foster brother in the army, concepts like Peace have new meaning for Lonnie.Told through letters from Lonnie to Lili, this thought-provoking companion to Jacqueline Woodson’s National Book Award finalist Locomotion tackles important issues in captivating, lyrical language. Lonnie’s reflections on family, loss, love and peace will strike a note with readers of all ages.

Locomotion

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