Feathers

Woodson, J. (2007). Feathers. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Plot Description: This book takes place in the 1970s and starts when a new boy who is white walks in to an almost all black classroom.  Frannie is mesmerized by him and for some reason also feels sad for him.  Throughout the winter the book takes you through the feelings and experiences Frannie has while dealing with her brother’s deafness, her mom’s sorrow, her friend’s extreme holiness, and the new Jesus boy in class.  By the end of the winter Frannie has a new outlook on life and has learned a lot about hope.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book is meant for grades 6-9.

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Personal Thought: This book is very inspiring book about hope.

Subject/Themes: Race, Hope, Family, Deafness

Awards: Newbery Honor

Character Description: Frannie is an eleven year old girl.  She believes in helping others and becomes friends with the Jesus boy.

Samantha is Frannies closest friend.  She is very sophisticated and devoted to God and prayer.

Sean is Frannie’s older brother.  He is deaf.

Jesus Boy is the new boy in class.  He is white whereas the majority of the school is black and does not fit in.

Annotation: “Hope is the thing with feathers”.  Frannie likes the new poem she has learned in school but does not completely understand it until the winter when she goes through a multitude of experiences and has a new outlook on life.  Read Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson and I’m sure you’ll also get a new sense of hope.