Skip to main content

As Fast As Words Could Fly


Title: As Fast As Words Could Fly
Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Pamela M. Tuck
Major Awards: New Voices Award
Age Group: 3rd-5th grade

 This is a story about a young boy named Mason during the time of segregation. His father was a part of a civil rights group, and he helped them out by taking notes of things his father told him, and then writing letters to President Lyndon B. Johnson. One day, his father surprised him with a typewriter so that he could continue to help his father, but with more ease. Mason started high school, but after a few short weeks, his father said that there was no reason for Mason and his brothers to be going to a school twelve miles from home when there was a high school three miles from home. He stated that they were now registered at the white school three miles away. The boys were fearful, but wanted to please their father. As expected, school life at the new school was tough. The brothers did not get the same amenities as everyone else and were treated with little respect. Mason did extremely well in school, and loved typing class the most. One day in typing class, the teacher told the class that there would be a typing tournament and that the fastest typer in her class would be nominated to go. Of course, Mason was the fastest and thus got to go. His peers didn't understand why a person of color would be representing their school, and even the principal was unhappy about it. The tournament was easy for Mason, and in the end, he received first place. Nobody cheered for him, but Mason learned how special he was because of his accomplishments. 

 I would like this book in my classroom! It shows students how tough life was for people of color during segregation and makes the students realize how lucky they are to have the schooling privileges that they do today. It also shows how important persisting through times of distress is, because so many opportunities and growth can happen because of it.

 I think that third through fifth grade are the best ages for this story. It is pretty lengthy and discusses some harsh topics, so I think that by third grade, they would be able to handle its content. It definitely is a mature topic being discussed in the story, so I think that it would be up to the teacher to decide if her class/student had the maturity to read the story. It also has some language in it that is not acceptable to be used in society today, so the teacher would definitely need to address that with her students. 

 In my classroom, I could talk to my students about African American heroes who have helped desegregate America over the past fifty years. I would talk to them about the bravery and courage these people showed. I could also have my students pick a hero and write a letter to them, thanking them for their deeds.  
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Genre: Graphic Novel Author: Jeff Kinney Major Awards: #1  New York Times Bestseller, ALA Notable Book Age Group: 3rd-8th grade Diary of a Wimpy Kid chronicles the life of middle-schooler, Greg Heffley in comic form. The book is told from his point of view, as he is the one writing his daily life in his journal. Greg deals with his fair share of unfortunate circumstances throughout the story that many  middle schoolers deal with, as well. For one, he is one of the smallest boys in his class, so that alone is a big deal to a middle school boy. He also is struggling to fit in, and wants nothing more than to be popular (especially among the girls!). It doesn't help that his neighbor, Rowley always asks him if he wants to go "play" after school, which sets Greg off because what middle schooler asks to "play?" The correct term in middle school would be "hang out", according to Greg. In his desire to fit in, he has a fail...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lola Levine Drama Queen

Title: Lola Levine Drama Queen Genre: Bluebonnet Author: Monica Brown Major Awards: 2017-2018 Texas Bluebonnet Award Age Group: 2nd-4th grade This is the story of second grader, Lola. Lola has a very big personality, and her parents often call her dramatic. They also compare her to her grandmother, her Bubbe , who has a larger-than-life personality and makes herself known to everyone around her with her loud mouth and gaudy clothing. One day, Lola's teacher explains to the class that they have a new teacher, Ms. Tinkle, who will be their drama teacher. When the class gets to Ms. Tinkle's class the first day, she explains to them that they will be auditioning for parts in an upcoming school play. She teaches them how to improv, mirror one another, and all the important aspects of acting. This excites Lola because she is dramatic, after all. The day comes for the students to audition, and when it is Lola's turn to audition, she completely freezes onstage and has to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Joey Pigza Loses Control

Title: Joey Pigza Loses Control Genre: Newbery Author: Jack Gantos Major Awards: Newbery Honor Age Group: 4th-8th grade This is the story of middle schooler, Joey. Joey suffers from a very bad case of ADHD, which makes life difficult. He is newly medicated with a patch, which is the only reason he can keep sane most days. His parents are divorced, and he has always lived with his mother. One summer, Joey's mother decides it is time that Joey get to know his father, so she takes him to Pittsburg to spend the summer with his father. What Joey does not know is that his father is exactly like him without medication. His father talks a mile a minute, and is filled with a ton of energy. His father struggles with his own issues: he is an alcoholic, drug addict, and has spent a lot of his life in jail. Despite these challenges, Joey is excited to spend his summer with his father because he so desperately wants to have a relationship with him. His father coaches a baseball team, an...
Post a Comment
Read more