Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Andrea Davis Pinkney
Release Date ~ April 12, 2011
Age Group ~ Middle Grade
Publisher ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
GOODREADS SUMMARY
In a small upstate New York town during the Great Depression, three children—Hibernia, Willie, and Otis—are about to meet. Hibernia dreams of becoming a famous singer and performing at Harlem’s swanky Savoy Ballroom. Willie is recovering from a tragedy that prevents him from becoming a junior boxing champ. Otis spends every night glued to the radio, listening to the voices that remind him of Daddy and Ma.
Each of them is looking for hope, and they all find it in the thrilling boxing matches of young Joe Louis. They know Joe has a good chance of becoming the country’s next heavyweight champion. What they don’t know is that during this unforgettable year, the three of them will become friends.
REVIEW
Bird in a Box had the potential to be great. It takes place during The Depression, one of the more interesting times in our nation’s history because of the sheer desperation so many suffered. Also, Bird in a Box teaches the lesson of overcoming tragedy and reaching for your dreams. Sounds great, but I had mixed feelings on how it all played out.
What turned me off were the main characters. The two boys, Wille and Otis, felt interchangeable. Both were scarred by experiences, both were almost too nice, and both were a little obsessed with radios. Neither really stood out from the other. Hibernia, on the other hand, lived a comfortable life and had little interaction with the others. She seemed only to serve as comic relief. She didn’t move the story along.
The first chapter was a little confusing for me. The first chapter takes place a year after the final event in the main story. I think. See, I’m still confused. The whole book, except that first chapter, is a big flashback, but it’s not really all that obvious. At least for me it wasn’t.
The main thing that kept me reading was the radio with Joe Louis on it. All of the characters honored him with extreme respect. I think he was a great role model of being able to achieve what seemed to be impossible. Joe’s journey during The Depression was a story within the main story. The way the author centered the events of the story around Joe’s fighting matches was incredible. He always appeared when the characters needed him most. It was a fine tribute to the golden age of radio and an amazing boxing legend.
RATING
3 So-So
COVER COMMENTS
The kids feel trapped just like a bird in a box. I like that the radio is on the cover, and the boxing gloves. It’s interesting that we only see the children as black cartoon figures.
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