 | Star child : a biographical constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler Author: Zoboi, Ibi Aanu | |
| Price: $8.19 | ||
Summary:
Illuminates the young life of the visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in poems and prose. Born into the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawning Civil Rights Movement, Butler experienced an American childhood that shaped her into the groundbreaking science-fiction storyteller whose novels continue to challenge and delight readers fifteen years after her death.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 7.00 Points: 2.0 Quiz: 521822 |
Awards:
Coretta Scott King Author Honor, 2023
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/22)
School Library Journal (00/03/22)
Booklist (02/01/22)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/01/22)
The Hornbook (00/03/22)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 03/01/2022 Gr 5 Up—Zoboi's biography of science fiction author Octavia Estelle Butler details her life from birth in Pasadena, CA, to her legacy as an author. Raised by her mother and grandmother after losing her father when she was four, Butler grew up in a non-segregated town filled with opportunities that her mother worked hard to give her. After struggling with dyslexia in school, Butler found reading and storytelling as a way to escape the schoolyard banter, where she found it difficult to connect with her classmates. Butler's life story is complemented by the history she grew up within, providing context of the Great Depression, World War II, the space race, the red scare, and the Civil Rights movement. Told through poetry, narrative, photographs, newspaper clippings, handwritten notes, story drafts, childhood sketches, quotes, report cards, and war propaganda, this stunning biography is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of literature. Zoboi carefully crafts each chapter of Butler's life with various types of poetry, using clever rhymes and rhythmic stanzas. Each poem and section of prose elegantly connects to the space theme, painting the picture of Butler as a star child, born out of stardust. The vivid poetry will fill readers' heads with imagery of the historic journey Zoboi presents. The quick-paced chapters and rich voice will draw readers of all ages into this nontraditional biography. VERDICT This must-read biography belongs on every library shelf and will redefine the way readers engage with biographical texts.—Angie Jameson - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
