Feathers- 2008 Newbery Honor
“Hope is the thing with feathers/that perches in the soul/…”
Emily Dickinson
This is Frannie’s story of hope and faith at a time in her life when she worries about her mother’s pregnancy after losing three babies. Frannie also worries about her good-looking deaf brother and the hearing girls who reject him.
Frannie is not pretty or smart, but she is good person who struggles with her faith and wonders about the new boy nicknamed “Jesus Boy.” Trevor, the class bully gave this nickname to the new white boy at their all black middle school. The new boy looks and acts like Jesus with his long hair, pale skin, and quiet calmness. The tension builds between Jesus Boy and Trevor to an ending that is just right, but not perfect for all of the characters. Click here for a sound clip and movie.
This 2008 Newbery Honor winner was a quick read at just over 100 pages and I highly recommend it for a mature fifth grade reader.
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