Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Posted by: harmonybookreviews on: January 24, 2009

• In: Book Reviews
• 4 Comments

 Title: Peace, Locomotion

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Rating: 9/10

Summary: (Taken from Amazon)

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 thoughtprovoking companion to Jacqueline Woodson’s National Book Award finalist Locomotion tackles important issues in captivating, lyrical language. Lonnie’s refl ections on family, loss, love and peace will strike a note with readers of all ages.

My Thoughts: As soon as I saw this book, I knew it was going to be good. I can’t say how – perhaps it was the cover or the description – but I knew. And Peace, Locomotion stood up to my expectations.

Peace, Locomotion is only about 120 pages long but it tackles more emotion and life’s hard lessons better than most books twice it’s length. Lonnie is a character that I’m sure we can all relate to. Though he’s not the smartest kid in town, he often thinks about things many people may over-look, including Peace.

The entire novel is told only in letters to Lonnie’s little sister (who lives in a separate foster home) so you hear less about his life and current actions which makes the characters a little less developed than what I would have liked.

Despite that, I think Peace, Locomotion is a book that everyone should read. It’s thought-provoking and intelligent and something everyone will enjoy.