For the Life of Laetitia (Aerial Fiction) - Softcover

Hodge, Merle

3.82

229 ratings by Goodreads

9780374424442: For the Life of Laetitia (Aerial Fiction)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0374424446 ISBN 13: 9780374424442

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 1994

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Twelve-year-old Lacey is thrilled to be the first in her family to be admitted to secondary school, even though it means leaving her small Caribbean village and moving into town.

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From School Library Journal:

Grade 6-8-- Set in an unnamed Caribbean country, this novel introduces Laetitia, who has won a place in the government secondary school. In order to attend, however, she must leave her close-knit rural village, where she lives with her grandparents and relatives, and move to her father's home in La Puerta. Although her father has money and values her achievements, he is domineering and abusive toward his new wife and son. As the term goes on, he refuses to let Lacey visit her family on weekends. All is not rosy in school either, for several teachers are incompetent and look down on the students. Lacey befriends a shy girl of Asian Indian heritage, but Anjanee's difficult life drives her to depression and suicide. Lacey, too, breaks down from the pressure, but caring relatives work out a solution that, while not ideal, will allow her to stay in school. Hodge has written a thoughtful, evenhanded novel that will prod readers to examine their own values. Unfortunately, its appeal is limited by a slow start and a first-person voice that is often too adult. The author shows the diversity of the West Indies through food, holidays, expressions, place names, and some of the area's racial and social complexities. However, there is not enough information to give readers unfamiliar with the culture a full picture, and there is no glossary. The story may attract readers of a West Indian heritage, but without additional explanation, few others will be drawn to it. --Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Siena College Library, Loudonville, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

The author of Balloons (1990) brings her lyrical vision and sensitivity to the child's imagination to 24 more poems concerning the mysterious ways of the night; small creatures (an ant explores a snail's shell: ``the way is steep/and dark and wet,/and there echoes round and round/a cold and hollow/sound!''); or such homely objects as ``Grandpa's Shoes'': ``We're big and bruised/and scuffed but/down past the tough/we've worn ourselves soft.'' The familiar is frequently celebrated- -``Bubble'': ``I didn't know/my own breath/could be a thing/so marble-round...''; the title poem, envisioning a discarded skin as a ``wealth of cold coins.'' Chandra's images are resonant but not intrusive, quietly awaiting discovery after readers enjoy the apt descriptions. Bowman's scratchboard illustrations are of uneven success: a precisely delineated cricket or teacup adds a fine graphic note, an impressionistic spread of a river is nicely evocative, and the shoes are rendered with loving skill; but heavy black weighs down a clump of poppies, while ``The Wild Wood'' is more murky than mysterious. Still, overall, the format is pleasing. A fine contribution. (Poetry. 8-11) -- Copyright �1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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