Monkey Island

Poverty, its difficulties and possibilities, are seen through the eyes of an eleven year old boy. Addressing topics of poverty, homelessness, racism, and prejudice, this is a book I hope our middle school students will pick up and read. A potential read-aloud for middle grade teachers wanting to exp......more

"'You told me the story of your life when I first came, and it took you about three minutes,' Clay remarked. 'That was an outline. Each time you tell the story, there's more. . . . . Any life is infinite. Imagine a single hour, all that happens in it.' 'But what if I'm reading, or just staring at some......more

This book is pretty intense. I'm not really sure I'd classify it as a "kid's" book. Maybe young adult. But the material is pretty mature, and the language as well. It's pretty tragic. The ending is positive, but not exactly happy. I thought the author did a great job dealing with the emotions and ma......more

Overall I thought this book was interesting and also confusing. It was fun to read tho. Clay's dad and mom left him because they couldn't afford the apartment they were living in. So everyday clay sits around his house sneakily and he goes to the park sneakily. He watches out for police or order kid......more