Reader response to The Pinballs by Betsy Byars
The back cover reads:
"Carlie knows she's got no say in what happens to her. Stuck in a foster home with two other kids, Harvey and Thomas J, she's just a pinball being bounced from bumper to bumper. As soon as you get settled, somebody puts another coin in the machine and off you go again. But against her will and her better judgment, Carlie and the boys become friends. And all three of them start to see that they can take control of their own lives."
My rxn:
I read this because one of my 6th grade classes read it for lit. It's good. I'm not turning backflips over it, but it does provide insight into what foster kids have to go through. The female protagonist is a typical 14 year old with a chip on her shoulder- so i could relate to her... but she's likeable and has a sarcastic sense of humor. she's an all-around good kid.
the male protagonists add depth and interest to an otherwise simple and boring plot. any kid who has had trouble with his or her parents can relate well to this story.
it doesn't win the Word Nerd Seal of Approval because of its simplicity.... but it's a great book for kids to read. very age appropriate for 6th grade.
The back cover reads:
"Carlie knows she's got no say in what happens to her. Stuck in a foster home with two other kids, Harvey and Thomas J, she's just a pinball being bounced from bumper to bumper. As soon as you get settled, somebody puts another coin in the machine and off you go again. But against her will and her better judgment, Carlie and the boys become friends. And all three of them start to see that they can take control of their own lives."
My rxn:
I read this because one of my 6th grade classes read it for lit. It's good. I'm not turning backflips over it, but it does provide insight into what foster kids have to go through. The female protagonist is a typical 14 year old with a chip on her shoulder- so i could relate to her... but she's likeable and has a sarcastic sense of humor. she's an all-around good kid.
the male protagonists add depth and interest to an otherwise simple and boring plot. any kid who has had trouble with his or her parents can relate well to this story.
it doesn't win the Word Nerd Seal of Approval because of its simplicity.... but it's a great book for kids to read. very age appropriate for 6th grade.
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