THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE by Christopher Paul Curtis (Wendy Lamb Books, January 2012) takes readers back to the award winning setting of BUD NOT BUDDY. It is the Depression and times are tough. Many are out of work including Deza Malone's father. When he leaves Gary, Indiana, for Flint, Michigan, in search of work, the Malone house just is not the same. Deza misses her father, the man who worshipped her, who asked about her day, who took interest in her accomplishments. Eventually, Deza and her mother and brother Jimmie leave to search for him. <557>
If you know the work of Christopher Paul Curtis, then you know what to expect from THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE. Humor? Check. Family. Check? Hardship? Check. Impeccable dialogue? Check. Characters you come to care about? Yep. Connections to contemporary readers despite the historic setting? Uh-huh. Minor characters who are just as carefully drawn as the major players? You bet. In short, this is quintessential Curtis, making the past come alive for readers once more. The letter to readers that precedes the story is personal and perfect and helps let us know what drove Curtis to write the story of Miss Deza Malone and her family. Welcome back, Chris. It's always too long for me between books!
This book looks excellent! I can't wait to read it.....and hoping it is one I can also read aloud to my fourth graders.
ReplyDeleteWith an emphasis on expository text this year, historical fiction is also being pushed to the forefront of the curriculum. Will add this to the list of suggestions for my intermediate colleagues!
ReplyDeleteWith The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963 ranking as an all time favorite I look forward to picking this one up over the holidays. It is great to know that an author can evoke laugh-aloud moments when you need one.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book. I loved The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963.
ReplyDeleteThis looks really fantastic, but of course everything from Christopher Paul Curtis is. I have a feeling this will make its way into the classroom the same way Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham have. Cannot wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book. It seems that the book focuses on family and some students can relate to that along with other issues that affect the modern times we live in.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book but heartbreaking was well. Any stories that have something happening to a parent break my heart. I don't know if I'll be able to read through it without tearing.
ReplyDelete