Keeping on with the book tour with the next stop being Arizona and A.S. King's Everybody Sees the Ants.
Lucky Linderman's life is not an easy one. His dad seems unsure how to be a dad since he never knew his because he never came back from the Vietnam war, classified as POW/MIA. His mother just seems to agree with any of his dad's plans. Plus, he has been bullied by Nader McMillian since he was seven.
He has had a particularly rough freshmen year of high school, and his dad only seems to be getting more distance. He describes his dad as a turtle because he hides in his "shell" rather than confront problems. His mother is a squid, because she swims laps to escape problems. Lucky, himself, escapes in his dreams to the jungles of Vietnam to rescue his grandfather.
After a particularly bad run-in with Nader, Lucky's mother packs their backs and head to her brothers house in Arizona, and leaves his dad to do something about the situation. Here Lucky learns that he is important and that you are what you make of yourself, not what others make you feel.
The story itself can be a little disjointed at times, jumping between the present, Lucky's dreams, and Lucky's freshmen year of high school. That being said, overall it is a good story, and relays a good message.
I find Lucky super relatable, because I was a victim of bullying in middle school. It is hard road to travel, especially when the people around you who are suppose to stop that don't seem to be doing anything about it. Lucky really grows as a character and by the end he is someone who is not afraid to stand up for himself.
I think is a must read for anyone who has experienced or is experiencing bullying.
Also another resource in the fight to stop bullying: http://www.stopbullying.gov/
Currently Reading:
Jip: His Story
by Katherine Paterson
No comments:
Post a Comment