Customer Reviews

Also Known As Harper

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fifth grade Harper is a introspective poetess with an annoying little brother, a mother struggling to care for her family, and a father whose whiskey scented memory lingers far more powerful than she would like. Unable to pay for their house after he splits, the family must find a home in a motel until mother finds enough money to improve their lot. Young Harper records all of this, along with some interesting, yet maybe a bit too adult, poetry in Anne Haywood Leal's new book, "Also Known as Harper".

As a educator with twenty years experience, I always approach these books with two minds: am I enjoying this story as a person, and as a teacher. I have to say yes on both counts. Leal's desperate world is complete and terrifying, real and haunting. I admire authors who don't go out of the way to protect their characters, but truly inhabit the story and the events surrounding them, and Leal is one of those authors. Everything that happens to Harper and her family looms very real. Her examination of one family's struggle with poverty is a timely and discussion inducing topic, probably more appropriate for grades 4th and up.

Leal's writing style is wonderfully evocative and descriptive. She manages to capture scenes in a matter of sentences, and gives time to the important events to see themselves through. I found, time to time, her use of words and phrases perhaps a bit too flowery or wordy for my taste. And, Harper's poetry, while it sheds light on her life like nothing else, was a bit too on the money for a fifth grade. I found myself questioning from time to time would Harper actually have written a poem like that. Is she that precocious? Still, it does flows nicely with the story.

I admired the combination of a family struggling with life, and a girl struggling to find her poetic voice and share that voice. I definitely will bring this book in my classroom, and let my kids loose on it. The fact that Leal sets up and idolizes my favorite book of all time: To Kill a Mockingbird would be a nice segueway into at least talking about that book with kids. Also Known as Harper is a great edition to my classroom library.

I began reading this book with my eight year old son, but in the end I read it for myself...I know that sounds selfish, but something about Harper Lee wouldn't let me put the book down. I fell in love with her character and was so engaged by the story that I couldn't stop reading until I was sure she would land on her feet. The writer has the rare ability to write believable and natural flowing dialogue, which is particularly difficult considering that the main characters are young children. Harper reminds me of children I've met in Africa who care for younger siblings without second thought b/c they simply must. She somehow retains her innocence in the face of much adversity and although she has plenty of reason to resent her baby brother and her mother, she comes through for them every time. This book couldn't have been written at a better time. It is a lesson in sensitivity toward homelessness during a time of great economic turmoil. A must read for civics teachers. I rarely follow a writer from novel to novel, but I plan to follow Ann Leal through her next journey, which I hope will be very soon.

I had never before heard of Ann Haywood Leal so I was a little hesitant about ordering this book but my 13 year old wanted to read it so I decided why not. I'm glad I did. This is a very touching book and can be read by all ages. It would also make a good gift for anyone who loves to read, and even those who don't.

The book deals about homelessness in a way that isn't depressing. Harper who loves to write poetry and her family (her mother and brother Hemingway) had been evicted from their home and with no where else to go they decided to move into a motel that isn't the best place in the world. Her mother who has to provide for her family, has to work quite a few jobs and so Harper is forced to miss school to take care of her young brother. Her father had deserted them and her brother still missed him and looked out for him coming back.

The book is very well written and almost too realistic at times but I'd definitely recommend this.

Ten year old Harper is named for the author of her Mama's favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird. She and her younger brother, Hemingway, do their best to help out after Daddy's abandoned them and Mama can't make ends meet. When they are evicted from their home, a cheap hotel becomes their residence, up until Mama loses her job and the money runs out. Harper is a writer and she documents her feelings in poems that spell out the good and the bad things that happen.

This is a sweet story that offers a child's eye view of poverty and how close to the edge many American families live on a day to day basis. All it takes is an illness, a missed payment, a lost job, an injury, and the family may be out on the street. Harper is determined and talented, and a fine modern day version of Lee's heroine, Scout.

Fans of Ida B. and The Higher Power of Lucky will enjoy meeting Harper and her friends.

In this day and age when families are finding themselves living in low-cost motels, or homeless, this is a timely novel. The main character Harper is named after her Mom's favorite author and the family is facing dire circumstances with her alcoholic Dad gone and her having to stay home to watch her brother while her Mom both works and looks for more work. These mature topics unfortunately face our children today and Harper's take on them is informational and inspirational. I think the intended age 10 and up market will "get" this book and maybe it is an important lesson for them to understand that the kid next to them in class, or maybe the kid no longer next to them in class, could be Harper. I also like the inclusion of poetry as a way of making the emotional connection and for teaching pre-teens and teens to appreciate the importance of poetry.

I wanted to love this book. The main character, Harper, is a fiesty, bright, survivor of a kid. Mature beyond her age, family caretaker, goal-oriented.
I wanted to love this book. Harper overcomes a number of obstacles throughout the book.
I wanted to love this book. Harper ultimately proves to be a better survivor/adaptor than her mother.
I wanted to love this book. It does have an almost happy ending.
I wanted to love this book. But I didn't.

I don't know what age the targeted reader is supposed to be. Its maturity level (I'd guess) is better for a 14-15 year old, but I don't think the subject matter will appeal to kids (girls) that age. For me, it seems like the book was really written for adults, because I think adults are going to find ways to connect with the emotions Harper experiences, in ways that children cannot.

Harper Lee Morgan and her little brother Hemingway were named for their mother's favorite authors. But having a famous name won't bring their father back, even though Hem watches for him every afternoon. And when Mama's income alone isn't enough to pay the rent, Harper's family has to scramble, not always successfully, for a place to live, and for someone to watch little Hem while Mama works.

A remarkable glimpse into the lives of inadvertently homeless families. Ages 10-13.

When I read this book, I thought it sounded interesting, but then I entered the mind of Harper Lee Morgan. She reminds me of one of my friends, she loves writing poems. When the dad leaves, her family is all they have( they also had food and clothes and their furniture, just so you know), along with the house and all of its payments, but when her mom loses her job, they are kicked out of there house by there neighbor and have to live in a hotel. There, they meet Randall and Lorraine. Through-out this book there are many difficult situations, but to find out more, you will have to read it yourself! I know that i loved this book and i hope you do too!!

(And let me just tell you, this book is FAR better than any interesting thought I had before I read it!!!!)

I loved Also Known as Harper! I started reading it in the evening, and when I awoke the next morning, I had to see what had happened with Harper and her brother, Hemingway during the night. These stories need to be told for the children that just have to provide their own way in the world. I believe that there is a subculture of children that are rearing themselves in some of the most difficult circumstances, yet, give the appearance of being irresponsible or apathetic concerning homework or personal hygiene. I can't wait to read this aloud to my own classroom. Ann Haywood Leal, thank you for letting this little girl's voice be heard.

My daughter needed this book for school, so I purchased this used book through Amazon. It arrived in excellent condition and it was shipped to us very quickly. My daughter was so happy with her book.