Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson is about Lonnie, an eleven-year-old boy who tells his life story through poetry. He is assigned to write different types of poems in Ms. Marcus's class. Most of the poems are about his friends at school, his foster mother, his sister, and the fire that stole the lives of their parents too early. Lonnie lives with Ms. Edna, who has two grown sons. Lili, Lonnie's younger sister, lives with a different foster parent across town. The don't get to see each other very often because Lili's new mama doesn't like Lonnie. Lonnie has done a lot of changing in his eleven years. He remembers a lot about what it was like when he lived with his parents. He also remembers the group homes and the Throwaway Boys who terrorized him there. His poetry is beautiful and heartfelt, telling the story of his life.

I really liked this book! I like books written in verse. This one reminded me of Love That Dog and Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech. Locomotion was sad, but hopeful. It makes me want to write some poetry!