Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

We first met Lonnie in Locomotion, a novel in verse. Peace, Locomotion picks up close to where the previous left off, but instead of verse Lonnie is writing a series of letters to his sister. I’ve heard some grumblings about the epistolary nature of this book, but it didn't bother me at all. I sort of took it that for granted that Lonnie used the letters as an excuse to journal his feelings.

That’s what it really what this book felt like to me – a journal. Perhaps he would one day give the letters to his sister like he says is his intention, but it seems much more likely that this was his just his emotional outlet, his way in which to quietly explore his feelings. Because, let’s face it, Lonnie’s got a lot of things going on in his life.

He’s still figuring out his place within his foster family, which only gets harder when Miss Edna’s injured son comes home from Iraq. He’s got school issues, he misses his sister desperately, and he is still coming to terms with the death of his parents. Wilson is a powerful writer and she can write emotion like nobody’s business. I had tears come to my eyes repeatedly when reading this book. Occasionally Lonnie and his friend Clyde would sound a little too mature for their years, but overall Lonnie’s voice is believable.

It is really a book about how love is a powerful and unlimited resource.

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Book Source: Library Copy