Customer Reviews

To Hell with Dying

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

 

 

Beautifully written, beautifully illustrated. My mother insisted on reading this book to me when i was at the age where i was "too old for children's books!" When she finished, i asked whether maybe i could keep the book...

I remember reading this book when I was a little girl and being so moved at 7 or 8 years old by the sensitivity of the relationship between the little girl and old man and the accute sense of personal loss at his death. Now that I am older, I appreciate even more the emphasis of human connection that shines through in this book. How wonderful to be a child and have a friend like Mr. Sweet. Although written in a style that younger children can easily relate to, it is a beautiful story to be appreciated at any age. I still have my copy twenty years later. The only hesitation would be the title which may make some parents nervous but again, I was never negatively influenced by it and the story's positive message far outweighs this one flaw. Beautiful illustrations as well.

Even if the ALA gives it a horrible review, this book is the side kick to literature such as The Bluest Eye, and Color Purple, believe it or not I would not consider this book for even my 5th graders, but rather the graduate level Library Science students! I had to read it twice and stop along the way, take in the details and realize how this miserable man's life had touched a young bright girl. At a time when so much is against African Americans a book comes along and you see a different reality. A reality whites choose to dismiss altogether, I'm Latino and in many ways I cannot relate to this story, however; it was a story that proves people wrong in so many ways.