Learning Tree by Gordon Parks Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Learning Tree
Book Review: Learningtree / Gordon Parks
Summary: 4 Stars
"Learning Tree" is an inspiring tale and allows good insight on how life was in Kansas in the 1920 and 30s. Later in the story, the plot gives too much resemblance to "Kill a mockingbird" for my taste but, yes, overall the book is very good.Book Review: Nice Coming Of Age Story
Summary: 3 Stars
Often when a movie is made that is based upon a book, the book is usually better; however, I can't say the same here. As I read this, I found myself thinking more about the movie and how much better the movie scenes were. In any event, this was a pretty good read. It started out rather slowly for me, but picked up about mid-way and I was able zoom through to the end. The book brings forth additional members of Newton's family and touches on other aspects of life that were not a part of the movie (Newt's friendship with Rodney, Newt's cousin who could pass for white). I am hoping for and patiently waiting on the DVD.Book Review: Rereading a favorite!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read "The Learning Tree" in a college Literature for Adolescents class twenty years ago and recently reread it for a book discussion group. And I still love this novel. I regret that because of the language, which is certainly appropriate to its subject, I cannot teach it in my conservative school district. However, I can and have highly recommended it to my junior high students, with the language caveat. (On an aside, this book just shows how out of touch many college profs are with what literature we can actually teach in the public schools!)
As for the book itself, it tells a wonderfully interesting and entertaining story, full of the joy of long summer days with friends, the horror of murder, the fear of racial conflict, the blush of first love--and betrayal, and the hard road to growing from a boy into a man. For me, it suffers nothing in comparison to "Black Boy" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Instead, it complements those novels as a vivid portrayal of growing up in America.
Read it!
Book Review: Review for The Learning Tree
Summary: 3 Stars
The Learning Tree provides an insightful look at the racial and religious issues involved when blacks and whites live in the same society. The book was written in the 60's, which means that racism was still very popular. Gordon Parks dared to mention the violence, comments, and social issues that develop when the whites lived with the blacks. The main character, Newt, was very young when prejudice was introduced to him. His mind was still very vunerable when the first person called him the "n" word. One thing is wrong with this. Being the strict and intelligent people his family is, I think Newt should've been told about racism very young in his age. They didn't and the effects of racism were far greater. Other issues, such as alcohol and violence, overshadow the main theme, which is racism. I heard more about alcohol than I did racism. One situation I found interesting was when Newt witnissed the murder of Jake Kiner, a white farmer. The murderer was a black man. In court, Newt was afraid to mention it to the court, fearing they would hate him for doing so. He did mention it. This was the right thing to do. In the end, The Learning Tree doesn't portray the issue of racism enough. Alcohol was far more portrayed. Good, but I have read better.Book Review: Terrible ;)
Summary: 1 Stars
this was about the worst and slowest-paced book i've ever read. In english class we had to read a book by a black author and my teacher thought i might like it. but i didn't. it was terrible. by the time you get about halfway through the pace picks up, but by then it's pointless. don't buy this book or read it. please.