Browsing in our library's poetry section, I stumbled upon a narrative poetry book by Cynthia Rylant. Surprisingly, this poetry book was for young adults. Most of Ms. Rylant's books I have read are geared for beginning/transitional readers. The content in this book is definitely for young adults and adults.
In beautiful narrative verse, Ms. Rylant relates Ludie's life from the time she was a young bride at age fifteen until she is in her nineties in a nursing home. Even though the book is short, readers will feel like they know Ludie's life well because of Ms. Rylants careful word choice and sense of story.
Warnings/points to discuss: sex is mentioned (not graphic-just kids being the result of sex), a neighbor is accused of touching a young girl inappropriately (not graphic-just stated he is accused of it), viewpoints of the wealthy/class disparity, pride, prejudice vs Jews and Italians, Negative view/spin on Christians who have a personal relationship with Christ: Ludie believes in God, goes to church and reads her Bible, however; she is appalled when two of her children become "born -again" Christians -her born again daughter tells everyone they are going to hell; the husband eventually leaves her and the daughter eventually stops going to church; her son who becomes born-again is more quiet about his conversation, doesn't mention hell . . . until "a politician p***ed him off. Now here was a Christian Ludie could live with."
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