Monday, December 8, 2008

Advanced Children's Literature: Realistic Fiction

Grimes, Nikki. THE ROAD TO PARIS. New York: Putnam, 2006.

No, Paris, you are not unique, Dicey Tillerman's grandmother didn't want to take in her grandchildren either! Paris and Malcolm are abandoned by their twice divorced mother, separated and put into foster home after foster home. Paris is a really tough sell, a hard cookie but kind yet no-nonsense Mrs. Lincoln finally wins her trust. A coming of age during hard times in the city story, in the end Paris must choose between Mom Lincoln's love and guidance and living with her own mother again. The suburbs have been fun but Paris decides she can't risk the chance of loosing her brother for good or never really getting to know her mother. Mom Lincoln has taught her one of the most important lessons in life, "judge each person by his own actions." This helps Paris put racial epithets and her birth mother's new husbands in proper perspective. A rich and believable page turner that reads like a diary that has been found hidden. I wanted Paris to stay with the Lincoln's where love and safety were assured but blood is thicker than water and Paris cannot live wondering about the "what might have beens." In depth characterization, true to life dialog, Grimes has an ear for language and the hearts and minds of middle school children. The surprise would be if there were not a gold medal on the cover!

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