But the fact of the matter was that I had to have my own copy. The book had changed my life, had become an essential part of who I was because of the message it contained. An avoidable accident. And the death? He would have lived, if only he had been wearing a helmet. The story follows Phoebe as she tries to come to terms with that unfair reality and her grief.
With her help, I learned to cope. I learned how to move on. It has been over a decade since I thought about Mick Harte was Here. Its sudden appearance on the ALA most challenged books list came as a jolt. The title brought back a rush of the memories and feelings that I had set aside as a child and not touched again in my adult life.
But mostly, I could not fathom why such a heartfelt, wonderful book could have ever wound up on a list like this. I decided that I had to read it again, not as a kid looking for help, but from the perspective an adult keeping an eagle-eye out for topics and stories that I would not want my own child to read.
After breezing through the slim page book, I think I understand the controversy. I can see the book being challenged on two grounds. I could see how this reaction—while realistic—may not be a reality parents would want their children exposed to. Parents are supposed to be a rock, strong and infallible in the eyes of children. But I think it is the second aspect that really gets the book into trouble. There is one section where Phoebe questions why the accident had to happen.
Only what kind of a selfish God is that? To just snatch somebody away from the people who love him? Zoe frowned in thought. I nodded. Only that would mean that God had no control over it. There is no trust in Jesus Christ and his resurrection, promising us victory over death.
Also the narrator oftens says, "I swear to God" and even uses Jesus' name as an ejaculation. This book did make me cry and can make you think about grief. The way in the end everything sort of focuses on Mick's lack of a bicycle helmet might seem oversimplistic, but also shows you that one way of helping survivors move on after a death is seeing some reason or purpose that gives a higher meaning to their suffering. I also really liked how the narrator's grief and loss and her determination to let you know that "Mike Harte was here" shows you that every human life is important.
Everyone is precious. Every life is significant. Mick Harte Was Here is a profoundly moving story on mortality, blame, love, remembrance, family, guilt, and childhood freedoms. I wasn't expecting it, to be honest. It has been a while since I read a children's book I've enjoyed.
While a lot of people loved them, they felt like kid's books to me. The best of children's literature has the power to connect, no matter one's age. That's part of what makes or will make Harry Pot Mick Harte Was Here is a profoundly moving story on mortality, blame, love, remembrance, family, guilt, and childhood freedoms.
You find out on page one that it was a bike accident. That Mick hit a rock. And like any Jon Krakauer book, you know where you're heading: here's the tragedy. Here's how we got here.
For me, the most honest parts of the book are the ones that I hesitate to ask. Only what kind of selfish God is that? To just snatch somebody away from the people that love him? Not to mention the fact that it's a little hard to believe that the most powerful being in the entire universe needs a seventh-grader who can't even program a VCR without screwing up the TV.
Or the insecure friends at school, keeping their mouths shut - protectionist: ourselves, you - and hurting. Maybe that's what acceptance of mortality is: pain.
I'm grateful to be included, even though I'm no longer there. I'm interested to hear how it was received by the students and staff.
Oct 10, Ejayen rated it it was amazing. I don't know what to say. This is a sad, but hopeful little book. Jul 09, Irish Tagamolila rated it it was amazing. The narrator shares various moments of understanding and insight, bursts of anger and sadness. Phoebe, the narrator, goes on a roller coaster, and so do we. We are not only focused on how the narrator deals with grief, but we get a peek into how her parents are faring.
As a reader, it was interesting to think about how I would deal with my own grief. Would I react like Phoebe, the mom, or the dad? All in all, I highly recommend it. Even if you've never lost a close loved one, you'll still be able to relate to it on so many other levels. Mar 18, Collin rated it it was amazing Shelves: books-worth-re-reading. I love this book! It's so incredibly sad! I first read it in about second grade, and I cried a bujillion times.
I've read it over and over and over since then, and I still cry through the whole thing! It's a very very very very fast read, but it's worth it.
I loved it. It's great and incredibly sad! View 1 comment. Jan 03, Maggie rated it it was amazing. At first it was a little weird 4 me but keep on reading and u will love it. May 30, Daysi Uriarte rated it it was amazing. This book encounters the tough times a family must face when their son Mick, a young teenage boy dies while riding a bike and crashes into a car with no helmet on. They try to make believe as if mick was still alive his family still sets a place for him at the table and his room is left untouched.
The book bases on life memories with mick and how he was in life. I highly recommend this book it is a great read and it will have you hooked. This is a great read and you will be touched by the memories and sadness of this book. Shelves: elementary-readers. My 10 year old daughter is reading this and was really enjoying it so I decided to check it out. The story begins just after the tragic death of Mick's bicycle accident. Taken from the first page - Mick's sister Pheobe explains: "this isn't the kind of book where you meet the main character and you get to know him real well and then he dies at the end.
But I thought you should know right up front that My 10 year old daughter is reading this and was really enjoying it so I decided to check it out. But I thought you should know right up front that he's not here anymore. Not only is it a great story but it reminds the readers how important it is to wear a bicycle helmet, without them even knowing their being told! A sad story, no doubt, but honest story telling from the sisters point of view.
Loved it! May 03, Marly Natherson rated it it was amazing Shelves: made-me-cry-but-still-loved-it , middle-grade-fiction , favorites. I read this in one day.
I should have known that I was going to absolutely love this book just because my friend, Tenille, recommended it to me. Her narration is so natural, and I felt like I was right inside her head. I also felt pretty confident that I would've been friends with both Phoeb and Zo. I really hate that Mick died. Barbara Park has created such a lovable character - fun and playful - reminds me of that "Life is so unfair" feeling we all experie I read this in one day.
Barbara Park has created such a lovable character - fun and playful - reminds me of that "Life is so unfair" feeling we all experience when grieving a death - especially the death of someone that lived life so well.
I also love the idea of leaving a mark for someone that has passed. It's something I've thought a lot about - I think I would have grieved similarly to Phoeb.
I cried a lot, which may or may not be related to the heart wrenching first chapters. I listened to this book read aloud by an amazing colleague. Her personal stories woven in were honest and heartfelt. Mar 13, Cheryl rated it liked it. Has been challenged There's a mention of a bad cuss word learned from HBO, but not the word itself.
There are questions about God, but an ending that seems reasonable from any tolerantly spiritual point-of-view. Maybe it's challenged by those who interpret the Bible literally and think the questions the character asks have answers and children shouldn't ask questions.
Anyway, it was def. And the ending Has been challenged And the ending revealed it to be a public safety message for bike helmets. And the Stages of Grief were pretty textbook.
But still. Still, a pretty good read. Concise, interesting, characters to care about, even funny in bits. Nov 17, Emerson Lankford rated it it was amazing.
Therapy My brother died. But this simply told story about a little girl and her grief is so unbelievably relatable for anyone who has suffered the untimely death of a loved one. Like a cannonball wound to the abdomen, Therapy My brother died. It's a celebration of freedom — freedom to read, freedom from censorship, and freedom to share unique ideas that may not jibe with everyone.
In honor of the occasion, we're taking a look at 20 commonly banned or challenged books. Some of them will surprise you. Can you guess why someone would find Green Eggs and Ham contestable? Others, you can probably predict. And, fun fact, putting this list together unearthed a trove of Cliff's Note-esque study guides to Gossip Girl.
They're a silly reminder that there's always deeper meaning to be found in the most surprising of places. Ahead, see which beloved works continue to top the ALA's list of the most frequently banned books.
0コメント