Customer Reviews

Looking for Red

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

 

 

I am glad I finallly brought this book home after looking at it so many times. I loved the human essence that this book held. It cemented the idea in me that everyone is searching and trying to cope, there is no set clear path and no one right way. I only set this book down to allow myself to cry. I would definantly reccomend this book to you if your not afraid of your own feelings.

Since I love Angela Johnson's work, I sat down with this in the library and read it straight through, pausing to wipe away tears. Though there isn't a happy ending or the usual structure, the beauty of word and setting as well as the bare honesty of what loss is made me smile. It reminded me of Virginia Hamilton's Sweet Whisper Brother Rush from back in the day. Kudos, Ms. Johnson.

This novel is a moving depiction of grief, and of the unbearable secrets we keep even from ourselves. I use LOOKING FOR RED in my course on writing fiction for children and teens at Mills College as an example of spare and lyrical writing.

I first became aware of this book three years ago as a first -year teacher. It was at this time that I went to the school's library to find a book to read with small groups. I found Looking for Red written by Angela Johnson. Overall, I found it to be a very realistic view of guilt and grief and how a young girl and her friends deal with it. I did notice however, that may of the students had a difficult time following the main character's thoughts and actions as they switch from present to past, yet we forged ahead and finished the book. I really liked Ms. Johnson's style of writing and would recommend her books for Middle School students to read.

practically everything that can go wrong with a book did in this one. i couldn't understand a STINKING word this girl said! i just couldn't follow this girls thoughts. at the end, i finally got to understand what happened to Red, but did it really have to take a hundred pages? i, like another reviewer, had to force myself to finish this book. it was a terribly boring. i think i didn't really enjoy this book because it's one of those stories with a deeper meaning. and i was not about to spend my time with a shovel digging.

I personally hate anything sad. I know things happen but reading about it is even more hard to deal with. This book is about Michaela called 'mike' for short, she narrates about how one day her brother disappears. The book is told in many variation, from current to past times. You have to really pay attention because if not you can miss what is going on. It was kind of hard to read but it really is about a young girl talking fondly of her older brother. I was confused at first about how he died but in the end it explains exactly what happened to him. I did not like that it did not explain why Mona his girlfriend left...meaning did she leave the neighborhood? I wish the author would have given a better conclusion. I personally like everything coming to an end when the book is finished. Altogether it was a very moving story.

Overcoming troubles

In this story Looking for Red there is a girl here name is Michela. She is trying to overcome her fear of losing her brother that she spent all her time with. One night, michela's brother was gone from his bed and there family searched for him for weeks. Then they found his body a couple of weeks later in the woods. Michela could not forget here brother that she loved so much she couldn't look at his body at the funeral. She felt there was no safe spot where she could feel her brother's love again. She felt so lonely after her brother died was she going to do well read this book and find out.
I didn't like this book because it was hard to read. I had to read this book over again to understand it. Also this book is sad and not very many details of what is going on, there is no other big event in this book. The only excitement was in the beginning when her brother dies. This is hard to understand because there are too many flashbacks that I couldn't tell what she was saying or thinking.

I got through the first twenty pages and I was not liking it. I was FORCING myself to continue! Never force yourself to contine with a book. The summary and all sounds good, but I couldn't kepp track of character names. I thought I was reading about someone's point-of-view and then all of a sudden I was hearing about Cassie's point-of-view. I just got lost and couldn't follow along. I believe I would have like the story line about the whole seraching for Red part.

I encourage you to read this and write a review. I would love to hear your review!