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Amiri & Odette: A Love Story (2009)

by Walter Dean Myers(Favorite Author)

3.52 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0590680412 (ISBN13: 9780590680417)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Scholastic Press

review 1: Amiri and Odette is a modern retelling of “Swam Lake” with Amiri as a popular, basketball player “prince” who has fallen in love with a doomed “swan” who is tied to a drug-dealer. Myers employs a sentence-fragment poetry format paired with Steptoe’s sometimes bright and sometimes muted paintings of street scenes and Amiri’s party. Contrasting colors in font against a black background highlight different speakers and emulate the theme of hope in a dark neighborhood with little opportunities. Naturally it provides an opportunity to compare Myers as a novelist and as a poet.For the adolescent reader who was enchanted by the haunting, poetic writing of “Monster”, “Amiri and Odette” is a parallel struggle of young men and women striving to find succ... moreess and happiness in the projects. The retelling echoes the juxtaposed themes of doubt and hope from “Monster.” What Myers says of his prince Amiri, “the boy is young, and his vision is bright/He hasn’t failed yet” speaks of Steve, waiting to hear his fate in jail. The reader who connected with Steve’s feelings of isolation and despair will be drawn to this tale. “Amiri and Odette” casts a wider net, pulling in students who are fans of modern retellings of classic tales and of poetry.Accuracy – Though tough topics are alluded to, opinions are withheld and the love story is told.Authority – Both Myers and Steptoe are award-winners in the literary world. Myers has won acclaim for his depiction of urban characters in tough situations such as Monster.Relevance – The story follows some traditional elements and provides a foundation to example classic pieces such as character, plot, confliction, and resolution.Appropriateness – Though there are illusions to drugs and possibly prostitution it is dealt with delicately. Scholastic states the reading level between 6-8 and it provides some good vocabulary for discussion.Scope – The book tackles the topic of drugs and living in the projects with a classic, tragic love story. It provides a new connection for young readers.Literary Merit – The illustrations are fascinating, Steptoe has won numerous awards including the Coretta Scott King award for illustrations. The hybrid of modern poetry and the classic tale of Swan Lake are a unique juxtaposition.Value – A unique synthesis of classic stories, art, and poetry. There will be few books like this in any collection.
review 2: I loved the idea of this book but I wasn't thrilled with the finished (or should I say unfinished?) product. It felt incomplete to me and it would have felt even more so if I hadn't already been familiar with Swan Lake. I didn't really click with any of the characters and it went by way too fast. The art/illustrations were good, but I think it needed to be much, much longer and have way more plot and character development.Very disappointing! : ( less

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