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1. Bibliographic Information
Rylant, C. (2006). Ludie’s life. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt.
116 pages
ISBN: 0-15-205389-1
2. Plot Summary
Written in free verse, Ludie’s Life chronicles the life of a West Virginia housewife. Born in Alabama, Ludie marries Rude at fifteen in order to escape her poor upbringing. After their marriage, Ludie and Rude move to West Viriginia. There the couple starts a family, totaling sixth children. She admits that “…six were too many and one would have been just fine” (p. 1). Nevertheless, Ludie is able to raise her children “right” while Rude works in the coal mine to make ends meet. While Ludie and Rude work hard, the family is never rich, eking out a living the best they know how. Time passes and Ludie’s personal life changes little. Her children grow, move out, and Ludie is left with her husband. However, with the death of her husband when she is seventy, Ludie begins to feel the pangs of loneliness. Can Ludie see the beauty of her life and the legacy she leaves behind?
3. Critical Evaluation
Cynthia Rylant’s free verse poetry does an excellent job portraying human emotions throughout one’s life. Ludie’s Life reinforces ideas that help young adults better understand aging and adults. Through the poems the reader is able to connect with Ludie. While her life was tough, her honest voice carries through the narrative. For example, Ludie does not like to tell her grandchildren about her own childhood since they would fail to comprehend that Ludie was once a teenager. Additionally, the novel puts the reader in a different time period, which allows the reader to see how environment, personality, and the need to survive can affect one’s outlook on love, family, and life. While there is love in Ludie’s life, there is also realism that prevails throughout the book. In fact on the first page she admits that she could have lived her life differently. Nevertheless, Ludie’s Life is an intriguing story which is supported by the free verse narration.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Do you know what it is like to feel isolation, regret, and yet, know love? Written in free verse, Ludie’s Life examines the life of a rural coal miner’s wife in West Virginia.
5. Information about the Author
Cynthia Rylant had an emotional childhood. Growing up predominantly in West Virginia, Rylant was sent to live with her grandparents following the divorce of her parents. She lived in poverty throughout her childhood, which would later reflect some of the issues that some characters have in her works. Her father rarely wrote, until he contacted her at thirteen in hopes of reconnecting with his daughter. Unfortunately, before they could meet, her father died due to alcoholism and hepatitis. Nevertheless, Rylant used this loss to become a writer. She has written over 100 books, and currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
6. Genre
Poetry
7. Curriculum Ties
This book might be helpful for English students who wish to use lyrical prose in order to tell a story. Additionally, I would consider Ludie’s Life to be helpful for a history class if they were learning about rural life in the 20th century.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does free verse help/hinder the reader’s ability to connect with Ludie?
-How does Ludie’s voice change the way you look at poverty? Rural living? Aging?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that older teens aged 17-18, would be more likely to understand the context, use of lyrical prose, and themes of the story.
10. Challenge Issues
Ludie’s Life does not seem to have explicit material or objectionable material. Although there are themes of death and aging, there should not be an issue with challenges. Nevertheless, if a challenge did occur, I would recommend referencing the ALA’s website on guidelines and forms regarding challenges found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Rylant, C. (2006). Ludie’s life. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt.
116 pages
ISBN: 0-15-205389-1
2. Plot Summary
Written in free verse, Ludie’s Life chronicles the life of a West Virginia housewife. Born in Alabama, Ludie marries Rude at fifteen in order to escape her poor upbringing. After their marriage, Ludie and Rude move to West Viriginia. There the couple starts a family, totaling sixth children. She admits that “…six were too many and one would have been just fine” (p. 1). Nevertheless, Ludie is able to raise her children “right” while Rude works in the coal mine to make ends meet. While Ludie and Rude work hard, the family is never rich, eking out a living the best they know how. Time passes and Ludie’s personal life changes little. Her children grow, move out, and Ludie is left with her husband. However, with the death of her husband when she is seventy, Ludie begins to feel the pangs of loneliness. Can Ludie see the beauty of her life and the legacy she leaves behind?
3. Critical Evaluation
Cynthia Rylant’s free verse poetry does an excellent job portraying human emotions throughout one’s life. Ludie’s Life reinforces ideas that help young adults better understand aging and adults. Through the poems the reader is able to connect with Ludie. While her life was tough, her honest voice carries through the narrative. For example, Ludie does not like to tell her grandchildren about her own childhood since they would fail to comprehend that Ludie was once a teenager. Additionally, the novel puts the reader in a different time period, which allows the reader to see how environment, personality, and the need to survive can affect one’s outlook on love, family, and life. While there is love in Ludie’s life, there is also realism that prevails throughout the book. In fact on the first page she admits that she could have lived her life differently. Nevertheless, Ludie’s Life is an intriguing story which is supported by the free verse narration.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Do you know what it is like to feel isolation, regret, and yet, know love? Written in free verse, Ludie’s Life examines the life of a rural coal miner’s wife in West Virginia.
5. Information about the Author
Cynthia Rylant had an emotional childhood. Growing up predominantly in West Virginia, Rylant was sent to live with her grandparents following the divorce of her parents. She lived in poverty throughout her childhood, which would later reflect some of the issues that some characters have in her works. Her father rarely wrote, until he contacted her at thirteen in hopes of reconnecting with his daughter. Unfortunately, before they could meet, her father died due to alcoholism and hepatitis. Nevertheless, Rylant used this loss to become a writer. She has written over 100 books, and currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
6. Genre
Poetry
7. Curriculum Ties
This book might be helpful for English students who wish to use lyrical prose in order to tell a story. Additionally, I would consider Ludie’s Life to be helpful for a history class if they were learning about rural life in the 20th century.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does free verse help/hinder the reader’s ability to connect with Ludie?
-How does Ludie’s voice change the way you look at poverty? Rural living? Aging?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that older teens aged 17-18, would be more likely to understand the context, use of lyrical prose, and themes of the story.
10. Challenge Issues
Ludie’s Life does not seem to have explicit material or objectionable material. Although there are themes of death and aging, there should not be an issue with challenges. Nevertheless, if a challenge did occur, I would recommend referencing the ALA’s website on guidelines and forms regarding challenges found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
11. Why was it Selected?
I wanted to include another example of poetry written for older teens. I found this book on my library’s shelves.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Educational Book and Media Association. (2010). Cynthia Rylant. Retrieved from http://www.edupaperback.org/showauth.cfm?authid=40
Picture
Harcourt Trade Publishers. (2010). Ludie’s life: Cynthia Rylant. Retrieved from http://www.harcourtbooks.com/bookcatalogs/bookpages/9780152053895.asp
13. Awards
Ohioana Award for Children's Literature • Author Award
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