LOCOMOTION
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2003. LOCOMOTION. New York, New York: Penguin. ISBN 9780142401491
Plot Summary
Without realizing it, Ms. Marcus, Lonnie's teacher gives him an outlook to express his grief and anger by introducing the class to poetry. This novel in verse shows his feelings in the form of Haiku, Sonnets, and mostly Free Verse. His wonder fairy-tale-like life is ripped away after losing his parents in a house fire when he is seven years old. Lonnie and his sister, Lilli are placed in multiple homes/foster care before only Lilli is adopted. Lonnie is allowed to visit his sister which is of some comfort. Miss Edna takes in Lonnie knowing she can't replace his parents but tries to provide a home with stability, warmth, and boundaries. This touching story allows the reader to feel the grief and suffering of Lonnie, while watching him triumph over his anger and grief to one of peace, acceptance and belonging once again through the avenue of poetry, his sister Lilli and Miss Edna's caring.
Critical Analysis
Weaving in themes of resiliency and love into the plot of this novel in verse, Woodson also uses language to give her characters identity and dimension as well as allowing the text to flow smoothly. "Not a whole lot of people be saying Good, Lonnie to me so I write the string-of-smoke thing down real fast." In describing his grief Lonnie states, "Some days, like today and yesterday and probably tomorrow - all my missing gets jumbled up inside of me." Miss Edna's caring is illustrated in her words, "How long will he carry this burden?" and "Get three.(referring to Twinkies). You know how we loves ourselves some Twinkies Lonnie." Miss Edna prays for her son in the war and takes food to her son who lives away. An example of people trying to take care of their own is seen right after Lonnie's parents die in the fire. The children are passed from one church family to another until "there ain't no more church people, just group homes where people come sometimes to bring us food and toys and read us books they wrote. Then go on home to their own families." A brief description of Lonnie in his List Poem show that he has ten cornrows, brown eyes, a watch from his daddy, a gold chain with a cross from his mother, and lotion so his skin doesn't look ashy. I only recently discovered that ashy skin is a problem for African Americans and that is why they use lotion on their skin and oil in their hair. Woodson alludes to the fact of poverty when Lonnie writes in his poem LaTenya about cafeteria food, "I just ate a cheeseburger with fries and some applesauce which means today's a good lunch day 'cause sometimes they put stuff on your tray and you don't know what it is but you eat it anyway 'cause Mr. Hungry don't care." My first three years of teaching were in a very low socioeconomic urban school and the previous quote reminded me of those precious children who ate everything on their lunch trays and the Thanksgiving school meal was one of their biggest pleasures. Woodson provides indirect insight into the urban setting of this story when she states that Lonnie has to take several busses and then walk five blocks to visit his sister. This description also helps to illustrate the lengths Lonnie will take to keep his connection alive with his dearly beloved little sister. Woodson uses diversity in regards to the Lonnie's school mates which would be typical of an inner city school. "Six Puerto Ricans, Manny, Lourdes, Jillian, Samantha, Carlos and Sophia. There's two Dominicans - Angel and Maritza. Gina and Cara are from Trinidad and Guy is from Jamica. All the rest of us are from right here. All the rest of us are African American," writes Lonnie in one of his poems. Lonnie gives a glimpse into church life in his poem Church. Miss Edna wears a bright hat and Lonnie has to wear his suit. "Old ladies and men nodding. Miss Edna every now and then throwing her hand in the air. Saying Yes, Lord and Preach! The chorus marches up behind the preacher clapping and humming and getting ready to sing." I have never been to an African American church but this description matches what I have seen in movies and documentaries.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews: "As in her prose novels, Woodson's created a character whose presence you can feel like they were sitting next to you."
Horn Book: "Every line should count." "This advice ... applies to every children's book author writing a novel in verse and it is a directive that Jacqueline Woodson has followed superbly in this moving story of a foster child who discovers that writing poetry can ease the pain and amplify the joy in his life." "You have a poet's heart, Lonnie," Ms. Marcus tells him; thanks to his author, he also has a strong and believable voice."
Awards/Connections
A National Book Award Finalist
A Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book
A Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book
An ALA Notable Book
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