Negative Positive
Title: Good book if you want to be depressed
Review: This book takes realistic fiction for children too far. Although it is well-written, it is very depressing. It gives the reader an interesting inside view of life in the dustbowl, and the narrator is a very interesting and likeable character, but her life goes from sad to tragic to VERY sad to EXTREMELY depressing to UNBEARABLY sad - and only near the very end is there a somewhat positive ending. The overall feeling that this book conveys is depression. More space should have been given to dealing with issues in a positive manner and, possibly,how to overcome obstacles - even if only small steps can be taken.Most kids can think of depressing situations - very few know how to resolve conflicts and overcome life's setbacks. This is the type of book that adults choose to show their kids "so you think you have it bad..." and some are caught up in the novelty of the easily readable poetic form, but I don't think many children will enjoy it.
Is the review positive or negative? 