March 7, 2010

Leaving Gee's Bend - Irene Latham




Middle Grade
Pages: 230 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: January 7, 2010
A young girl sets out to save her sick mother and records her
adventures in quilt pieces.

Ludelphia Bennett may be blind in one eye, but she can still put in a good stitch. Ludelphia sews all the time, especially when things go wrong.

But when Mama goes into labor early and gets deathly ill, it seems like even quilting won’t help. That’s when Ludelphia decides to do something drastic—leave Gee’s Bend for the very first time. Mama needs medicine that can only be found miles away in Camden. But that doesn’t stop Ludelphia. She just puts one foot in front of the other. What ensues is a wonderful, riveting and sometimes dangerous adventure. Ludelphia weathers each challenge in a way that would make her mother proud, and ends up saving the day for her entire town.

Set in 1932 and inspired by the rich quilting history of
Gee’s Bend, Alabama, Leaving Gee’s Bend is a delightful, satisfying story of a young girl facing a brave new world.

I really wish I had enjoyed this book more. I couldn't quite get into the story, the writing was distracting. Ludelphia's character seemed kind of boring. I felt I dragged myself through the book. It was just not my cup of tea. For a story about a journey, I would expect a lot more action and less whining.

The story was interesting and it flowed really nicely, but to me it just seemed dull. The character was just impossibly lucky, that girl for whom things get complicated but her luck makes it magically better at the end. Not believable at all. As always, this is just my opinion. For those who are really interested in American history, this might be one to pick up.


7 comments:

  1. I seen this one up for a tour, but something about it told me that it probably wasn't my type of read. I'm thinking I was probably right. Thanks for the honest review, Sab!

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  2. First negative review I have seen of this book. Sorry you thought it was dull.

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  3. On confessions of a teen idol...what the heck happened to Eric?
    why did he get so mad and leave????gees..whats wrong with that dude...

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  4. At the auction he was asked to remove clothing and he didn't like people asking him to do things like that and I think he said it reminded him of why he went out of the limelight. And it had something to do with integrity. I like all the guys on the show and hope they make it back one way or another onto shows or singing careers. I for one would love to see them in made for tv movies. I enjoyed T.J. Hooker when it was on and think Adrian could play a great role as a dad or romantic interest on a tv show.. I dont remember seeing Eric in his shows but hes a really good looking guy. When those women were making comments about them and the idols could secretly see them through the glass my jaw dropped to the floor. They were truly harsh about those guys and I hope they didn't take it too badly. Some probably dont like them and think their washed up, but there are plenty of us who think they just might have a chance if they give a comeback a try. They could at least give it a shot and see what happens.

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  5. I was going to read this I am glad I didnt. Great review. HONEST

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  6. What do you think about the boys name Lathan? Other options..?
    Yes Lathan...it's Scandanavian I think...Like Nathan but with an L...If you don't like it can you think of a good name that would have the nn of Lath...(lay-th) I also saw Latham (layth-um) do you like it better?

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  7. I can't leave my house to exercise due to an anxiety disorder.

    I'm trying to lose weight but get toned and in shape more than anything else. Losing weight is easy, but I don't really know how to get toned and stuff properly. The main parts of my body I want to work on are my thighs, midsection, and arms, but I want to work on as many things as I can.

    I do squats, light weight-lifting, and jogging, but I want have a better workout thing.

    I have a treadmill.


    Thanks!

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